Page 47 of Crowned In Venom

A tightening grip.

The tension coils tighter.

"You want answers," I whisper. "You want someone to blame."

His eyes are violet fire, cutting into me like knives.

"And you want to give me one?"

I hold his stare.

Then, slowly, I nod.

"Not all your men are loyal," I say. "Not all your fighters are afraid."

I see it—the flicker of something dark in his gaze.

He already knows this.

But he does not want it to be true.

Because if it is, his empire is crumbling from within.

"You’re suggesting a traitor," he murmurs.

I tilt my chin slightly. "I am suggesting you look where you least want to."

A beat of silence.

His fingers loosen—not fully, but just enough.

"And where is that?"

I inhale, slow. Purposeful.

"The ones you keep in chains the longest," I say softly. "The ones who have no reason to love you—only fear you."

It lands.

The way his shoulders tighten, the way his breath changes, sharpens.

I have set the fire.

Now, I watch as it burns.

His grip tightens again, but this time, it is not in anger.

It is something worse.

Something dangerous.

Something that coils in my stomach like a warning and a promise.

"You're too clever for your own good," he murmurs.

I let my lips curve—just enough.

"And yet, you keep me here."

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