Page 57 of A Queen and HER Bad Boy
Phoenix released an irritated breath at the sight of him. As always, he cut an impeccable figure beside the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, his hawk-like profile sharp and predatory against the amber lamplight. Supposedly, he’d been hunting the culpritsbehind the assassination attempts, but not a single hair was out of place.
Achilles faced him, patience worn thin, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Peder informed me we’ve found the mastermind behind these attacks. Did you really think you could keep this from me?”
Phoenix poured a second drink and gestured toward a leather chair… in an office that he acted like he owned. His pale eyes swept over Achilles with the calculating gaze of a tiger sizing up a younger male in his territory. The man thought to intimidate him. The chancellor’s next question made his blood boil with rage. “Tell me truthfully—what is the state of affairs with you and the Myrdons? Are you their mouthpiece?”
Achilles drew up angrily. Was this why they’d tried to keep him in the dark? “Absolutely not.” He hadn’t realized his loyalty was still under question, but of course it was, especially from his father-in-law’s most devoted spy.
“I wish I could be certain of that,” Phoenix murmured. “Sensitive material must be handled with absolute discretion.”
And why did he have to prove himself to this rat? “And what about you?” Achilles shot back. “Are you Chises Mnon’s most eager snitch?”
The gloves were officially off.
Phoenix’s lips twisted into a cold smile. “I am loyal to the crown, if that’s what you’re questioning.” His complete lack of fear in the face of the man who would be husband to their future sovereign revealed exactly how much power he believed he wielded. If Phoenix had shown even minimal respect, Achilles might have considered working with him. But why did any of that matter now? Keeping Bris safe was his only priority. “Who is this man you claim is behind the attacks on my wife?”
Phoenix lifted one shoulder in dismissive indifference. “A thorn in our side.”
That wasn’t good enough. Achilles would force Phoenix to provide real answers, just as they’d done with those captured assassins. “I already know that his name is O Skia—‘The Shadow’ in English.”
“It appears you don’t need my briefing after all,” Phoenix snapped with obvious annoyance. “Is there anything else you’d like from me, or would you prefer I kneel to you like a slave?”
Where did that come from? “I want to interrogate this prisoner myself.” Question him directly, trace his connections to the Earl of Alexopoulos and anyone else with the resources to fund an assassination.
“To what end? It was a random attack targeting anyone in power. O Skia has been behind the political unrest in Tirreoy for years—he’s also the driving force behind the Guerrilla resistance on Aeaea Island.”
“Wait,” Achilles said. “You’re telling me this was just some extremist trying to make a political statement?” What about the Earl’s obvious interest in Bris, or someone with considerable wealth and influence who stood to lose everything if she ascended to the throne? This all sounded wrong, like this “Shadow” was being used as a convenient scapegoat, and they’d exploited Bris’s attack as justification to arrest him and potentially seize the island’s resources. “How exactly did you locate him?”
“The two captured assassins finally broke under interrogation, as per your explicit orders,” Phoenix said with barely concealed satisfaction.
“I ordered you to get the truth, not to torture them into lying. I’ll question them myself.”
Phoenix’s laugh was sharp and mocking.
Fresh suspicion flooded through him like the storms outside. Those men weren’t still alive, were they? Barbarians! Who knewhow much time he had to talk to this new suspect? “I will see this prisoner immediately.”
“Impossible. This prisoner is loyal to the Myrdons. You are strictly forbidden from seeing him.”
“What did you just say?” After everything they’d been through, he was still getting bureaucratic runaround from this power-hungry toad?
“These aren’t my orders, naturally…” The man’s eyes glittered with poorly concealed glee at this latest insubordination. “The Princess’s father has issued the decree. He believes your loyalties might be… divided.”
Achilles knew exactly where the prison was located in this archaic palace, though he’d never visited the dungeons in person. They were a grim reminder that this country had never truly evolved beyond its primitive origins. He pushed past the rigid chancellor with determined force. “Just try to stop me.”
“I warn you not to attempt it.”
“What are you going to do?” Achilles whipped around to face him, ensuring Phoenix could see the dangerous promise blazing in his eyes. “Chises Mnon might believe he owns me, but he won’t stop me from protecting his daughter.” To prove it, he marched from the library.
Phoenix made a strangled sound of outrage behind him, scrambling to catch up. “I must formally protest!”
“Protest away,” Achilles grumbled, not caring whether the chamberlain or anyone else overheard. He passed Peder in the hallway, gaining another follower in his growing entourage of concerned officials trailing behind him. He would find out for himself that this prisoner wasn’t a scapegoat. And if he truly was responsible? He’d make him wish he’d never set eyes on him.
“Are you seriously defying Chises Mnon’s direct orders?”
“Absolutely, and I’m certain you’ll record every word of our conversation for your reports.” The corridors grew progressivelydarker and more savage as they descended into the bowels of the palace, where ancient stone replaced polished marble and the scent of dampness mixed with something far more unpleasant. “But hey, be sure to spy on our every word. You might learn something real juicy you can use to tattle on me to Bris’s daddy.”
He reached the prison entrance, and his stomach turned at the sight. What kind of archaic place was this? The stark contrast between the golden palace above and this nightmarish dungeon below made him sick. They were cavemen masquerading as civilized rulers, nothing more.
“I will interrogate this prisoner,” Achilles said, “or I will remove the princess from this country permanently and ensure nothing ever threatens her again. Your choice, Phoenix.”
