Page 49 of Ties of Death

“I am your king. I suggest you step aside before I remove you.” Daenn speaks with quiet menace. I amincrediblygrateful that I stand at his back instead of in his way.

The guards shift, but they hold their post. The one on the left speaks in a gravelly but unsure voice. “Viggo Agnarken is our king now. You left your throne. We thought you dead.”

“No, your spineless clansmen didn’t quite get the job done.” Daenn shifts the sword in his grip, and their eyes trail the movement. “Last chance.”

The righthand man breaks ranks and turns to run. “Intruder! Daenn Henrik—”

Daenn’s sword silences the man before he makes it two steps. Daenn spins and fells the second man, disarming and wounding him.

Beyond him I see the hall—it’s full. Our entire clan is here, as well as a great number of other gryphon clansmen—more of Viggo’s minions he’s swayed to his misguided cause. Why Viggo has gathered them all so early in the morning is anyone’s guess, but the faces I recognize look discontent—but it quickly shifts to surprise as they turn to look at Daenn.

Viggo lords over the room, sitting in Daenn’s throne. His face is a mask of shock and outrage as he stares at Daenn.

Daenn focuses on Viggo. He takes a step, and another, stalking forward like a gryphon who’s sighted his next meal. Ifollow, keeping my steps quiet. I don’t want to draw attention to myself—I can better help Daenn if I go unnoticed.

I needn’t have worried; every eye is glued on my husband. When he speaks, it’s low and angry, and I don’t doubt everyone in the room can hear him.

“I challenge you, Viggo Agnarken, traitor of the Allied Gryphon Clans. If you want my throne, take it like a warrior instead of a coward.”

Viggo’s face twists into a sneer. “Fight you? The cursed tyrant who murders anyone who dares dissent?” He flicks a hand as if dismissing Daenn. “You don’t deserve my efforts, you monster.”

Daenn’s attention is fixed on Viggo, but mine is not. My gaze skims the crowd—so I see the South Peak clansmen who are quietly readying their weapons, edging to surround Daenn.

Viggo is a coward who will let others do his dirty work. That certainly hasn’t changed.

I tug on my magic, gathering it to me. It’s Daenn’s right to deal with Viggo, but these men aren’t a part of that equation. Not if I have anything to say about it.

“It’s my duty and honor as ruling monarch to accept any challenges for my right to rule,” Daenn says. “As you are too afraid to issue that challenge, I will bring it to your feet instead. Take it and retain the shreds of your honor.”

One of Viggo’s men raises a bow—and I strike with my magic like a jungle snake. He slumps back against the wall. Those near him notice, and their eyes widen. I don’t wait for their reactions, though. I sweep my magic through the enemies, enveloping each one by one with the swiftness of Storm in a dive. It’s tiring, especially since I’ve only had one night of rest since using my magic yesterday, but I can’t let that matter.

I make it through half before Viggo notices. He jerks to his feet and roars. “He’s using his curse! Kill him now!”

The men descend on Daenn. He falls into a crouch. Deadly calm echoes over our bond. His body is grace and death; he moves with brutal efficiency, spinning and dodging and striking.

I do what I can, reaching for men who are out of Daenn’s range and dragging them into sleep before they can hurt my husband. I’m tiring further, but I push past it, drinking up the magic that flows around and through me until it grows thin.

And suddenly, silence falls again with the last body that Daenn pushes off his sword.

Viggo hasn’t come any closer. He stands, white-faced, fists clenched, before he gathers himself enough to speak. And he speaks in a near shout. “Is this murderer what you want to rule you?” he asks the room, the crowd of our clan, the faces I grew up with. “He’s killed them all, even the ones who didn’t come near his blade. He is death. He will kill every one of you.”

“False.” My voice rings out, louder than I intended, and draws every eye to me. Viggo’s expression flickers; I’m not sure he even realized I was here until this moment. I straighten my spine and move forward, stepping over the fallen bodies that litter the ground around Daenn. “He won against the men who approached him, but I handled the rest. You were worried about his magic—but you should have been worried about mine. And now you have no one else to hide behind.”

My words cause murmurs amongst the people, which comes as no surprise to me. Wielding magic isn’t our way.

But I don’t care. I’m protecting Daenn.

Viggo’s expression twists in outrage. “You? You couldn’t even bear your first husband an heir.” I hold back a flinch as he continues. “If you weren’t already defective as a wife,you’re now tainted by him—you took on his curse when you accepted his vows and his bed, you—”

“Enough.” Daenn’s snarl cuts through Viggo’s tirade. “Being a coward is bad enough; I won’t let you insult my wife. This has gone on too long. Challenging you was a courtesy, but you’ve made it clear you don’t deserve even that. That is my throne. Abandon it or die.”

Viggo splutters, but he has no time to say anything else. Daenn stalks toward him with deadly intent—so Viggo scrambles down, tripping over his own feet. He jumps up, draws his sword, and makes a weak lunge at Daenn.

Daenn bats away the strike and disarms Viggo with an easy twist. He raises his sword to Viggo’s throat. Viggo’s throat bobs, but he doesn’t dare move another muscle.

Daenn glowers down at his cousin. “Someone throw this insect in a cell.”

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