Page 104 of A War of Crowns

“Well, what’s the point when you’ve stacked my hand with all Queens? I’ll just win every round.”

Olivia’s lips twitched into a smile. “Not if I’ve stacked my hand with all Knaves—where are you going?”

Seraphina scowled, already on her feet. “I’m not going to just sit here and listen to you make light of killing a person simply because they’re an inconvenience,” she explained as she made for the double doors leading out to her balcony. “What happened to, ‘When have I everintentionallytried to kill someone?’”

“This is different and you know it,” Olivia hotly argued, following her out into the night. “But if the thought truly bothers you, then just send the man to the front and pray he never returns.”

Seraphina closed her eyes and let the breeze wash over her. The night air was pleasant. The heady scent of roses drifted upward from the palace gardens.

With her eyes still closed, she traced her fingers against the smooth stone of the balcony railing and observed, “That man would never go to war for me. He would never sail to Mysai simply because I told him to.”

“Then he has an accident here instead,” Olivia’s voice suggested from nearby.

Seraphina’s eyes flew open once more. She flashed her friend a look. “You’re speaking of murder again.”

“I’m speaking ofaccidents,” Olivia softly corrected. “People fall from high places and tumble off their horses every day without anyone batting an eye.”

“Not the brother of our strongest ally,” Seraphina hissed. “How long do you think Edmund will continue to support us in Mysai if his brother has anaccidentwhile under our care?”

When Olivia suddenly shushed her, Seraphina’s pulse hammered out a staccato rhythm. She followed her friend’s gaze into the night and narrowed her eyes.

But she saw nothing.

“The Oracle and her Shield warned you this man has murdered thousands, did they not?” Olivia breathed against her ear while gently nudging her chin a little more to the left. Finally, Seraphina saw it. Movement in the near distance. It was easy enough to recognize the Crow even within the darkness, given his unique height and gait.

He walked alone.

Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat. “What is he doing out there at this time of night?”

“Stalking his prey,” Olivia whispered without pause, and Seraphina twitched away from her friend. But the other woman’s words lingered.

And they chilled her blood straight through.

“That man had every opportunity to kill me on Nerina Reef and he did not,” Seraphina reminded as she fled back indoors.

Olivia followed and shut the balcony doors behind them. “A hunter knows to wait for the best moment to strike.”

Seraphina whirled to face her friend and asked, “Why are you trying to frighten me?”

“Because youshouldbe frightened,” Olivia hissed within that nearness. “A little boy you once insulted just thrust his murderous older brother on you, and instead of running away as any sane woman would, you’ve invited the murderous older brother to play wedding.”

“What else was I to do? Let Mysai continue to suffer?”

“No.”

Seraphina tightened her jaw and further pressed, “Let Drakmor declare war on us instead?”

Olivia sighed and looked away. “No…you did the best you could with the options you had.” Her friend cut a glance back her way and continued with, “But now we have aproblem,and I wish you would let me deal with it.”

“You wish I would allow you to kill a man—”

“I wish you would allow me to protect the only family I have left against a man who has already pushed one of our own to death’s doorstep.”

All of Seraphina’s rising anger bled from her with those words. “Olivia,” she whispered, reaching for her best friend. But Olivia pulled away. “Olivia, I’m sorry. I know you are just tryingto protect me. I know…”

She trailed off and her arms fell back to her sides, awkward and useless. She folded them across her chest instead. “How is Sir Tristan?” she finally asked.

The question earned a shrug from Olivia and a dull answer of, “He sleeps still.”

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