Page 51 of Reign of Betrayal

“Oh, Lukene, have a seat,” she says with a saccharine smile.

“I am fine standing, Vanna. What is it you need?” I keep my expression unreadable and bored. I pull a dagger from my sheath and pick my nails just to get under her skin, like whatever she has to say isn’t important enough to hold my attention. Out of the corner of my eyes I see her stand, walking down the dais until she is before me. My jaw ticks.

“What is going on with you and the prisoner?” she asks, her voice laced with false nonchalance.

Well,thatcatches my attention. I sheath my blade so I don’t do anything stupid. I quirk a brow. “I have eight prisoners under my care. You will need to be more specific.”

“Don’t play dumb, Luke,” she snaps. I cringe at her using the name Luke. Only a handful of people are allowed to call me that, and Vanna will never be one of them.

“You will refer to me as Lukene, Vanna. We have been over this before,” I remind her coldly. “And as I asked, which prisoner are you referring to?” I know she means Reign. It is none of her business what I do with whom.

Her sharp smile suggests she knows exactly what game I’m playing. “The purple-headed Drift rat. The one whoring herself out to the guards. She is the one you are close with, right?”

My blood boils at her implications and the disrespect spewing from her tongue. “Reign,” I say flatly. “Get on with it, Vanna. I wouldn’t say I am close with her. I am assigned to oversee her training. The pairing was suggested by you and the king, I’ll remind you. What is it that you want to know about her?”

She steps closer, close enough that I can feel the animosity radiating off her. I instinctively step back, keeping her at arm’s length. “Are you bedding her?” Vanna tilts her head, her gaze narrowing. “If you are, you’re bringing shame to the crown. You can’t be seen with someone like her. She’s beneath us.”

I scoff loudly, annoyed that she even thinks she can question me or focus on what I do in my free time. “This is rich coming from you, Vanna,” I mutter with a mirthless laugh.

“You are a prince. You should not be sleeping with the contestants,Lukene. You were to oversee them, not fuck them. And definitely not take them on tours of the garden—your mother’s garden.”

I roll my head side to side trying to relieve some of the tension and anger at the mention of my mother. I grind my teeth to the point that it is almost painful.

“You will stay away from her. That’s an order,” Vanna hisses, stepping even closer, but I don’t back up. I want her to see the anger searing in my eyes. I have spent my whole life training to be the Dark Prince, the one that murders people in the dead of night. She knows I am lethal. Let her look into my eyes and see the killer that I have been molded into with each deed done for my wicked kingdom.

The darkness within me stirs, urging me to let it loose. My shadows coil behind me like snakes, ready to strike. “Careful, Vanna. You’re starting to wear on my patience.”

Her expression flickers with fear for the briefest moment before hardening again. “She’s damaged goods, Lukene,” she says with a smug smile. “Passed around by guards in the Hollows. She’s not worth your time.”

I start to sweat, my hands trembling, not from fear, but from ravenous rage. She is trying to provoke me and it’s working. Reign hasn’t slept with any guards here that I am aware of. Vanna tries to place a hand on my shoulder, and I flinch, batting it away with a shadow. She knows better than to touch me, and I know better than to let her. I won’t allow her to mess with my head.

She looks at me like I tried to stab her. “Who I bed is none of your concern.” My voice is sharp, controlled. “I am overseeing the contestants. I will see that we have a winner, unlike when you oversaw them last time.” I give her a wicked grin. “You are wearing my patience thin with your commands, Vanna. I’d hate to see what happens if I snap.”

Vanna’s eyes flash with anger, but she quickly masks it. “There’s talk of a couple in town stirring dissent. A magic wielder and his wife. Raymon has the details. Handle it. Bring their children to me, and I’ll see they’re placed in a proper home.”

“Consider it done,” I growl, turning on my heel.

“Oh, and Lukene?” she calls sweetly.

I stop, my fists clenched, the taste of bile rising in my throat. “Yes?” I force through gritted teeth.

“I want it done immediately. Find Raymon.”

I bow and walk out of the throne room. I need to find Kylo and tell him to train Reign and keep a close eye on her.

I find Kylo in the training yard and walk up to him as he is talking to a guard.

“Leave us,” I tell the guard, dismissing him with a curt wave. He bows and walks off.

“What is going on, Lukene?” Kylo asks, concern lacing his voice.

“Vanna is scheming again. Keep an eye on the prisoners—especially Reign. I need to head out. Make sure she is training her magic. The third trial is only a few days away.” I look over the training yard and see Reign training with Elm. Good.

“What is she planning? What is going on?” Kylo’s brows knit with worry.

“Just do as I ask. I am being sent on a mission. I will be back tonight or tomorrow. Do as I ask.” I never take this tone with Kylo. I feel bad for snapping at my best friend. But I know he senses my urgency.

“Of course. Be careful. Find me when you get back.”

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