Page 79 of The Forgotten Queen
“I’m sick of being patient. I’m sick of looking behind my back, wondering if someone is coming after me.”
“No one is coming after you.”
“One of King Marx’s guards already did.”
“A few harmless questions,” Stoddard said, dismissing his concerns.
Doctor Von secured his glasses into their spot on the bridge of his nose. “I thought you made the deal with the king. Why is he sending a guard after me anyway?”
“I didn’t make the deal with King Marx. I made the deal with his father, King McKane.”
The doctor began pacing again in his nervous way. “This is terrible.” He threw his arms out. “Everything is going to blow up in my face.”
Stoddard grabbed the doctor’s shoulders, shaking the man. “You need to calm down.”
His eyes twitched with fear. “How can I calm down? This was never the plan. Working with you was never the plan. I was supposed to be working with King Adler. None of this would have happened if he were still alive.”
“Adler’s not alive. I’m all you’ve got left,” Stoddard snapped.
“No.” Von moved his head sporadically. “I’ve got to get myself out of this mess.”
“Don’t do anything stupid.” Stoddard shook his shoulders again as if that would knock some sense into the anxious man. “I’ll go to Cristole Castle, talk to King McKane, tell him to keep his son in line.”
“And what about my drug? Will you tell him about that?”
“I already told you. We must be patient about the medicine.” Stoddard softened his voice, placating him.
“What if King Marx still comes after me? I don’t want to be the fall guy.”
“You’re not the fall guy.”
“How do you know?” Von asked.
“Tell you what, if our plans go awry, let’s make Marx the fall guy. If we both stick to that plan, there will be two of us against him.”
“What about his father? He’s not going to turn on his son.”
Stoddard smiled. “I’ll take care of King McKane. Until then, I want your word that you won’t blow up this entire project.”
Von wiped at the bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. “Fine. You have my word.”
“Good.” Stoddard dropped his hands from Von’s shoulders.
Doctor Von and his paranoia were a liability.
25
Marx
Marx walked out of the castle’s garage carrying a yellow and blue surfboard under his arm. The morning sun was already hot on his skin. Sydria stepped out of the foyer with Dannyn by her side. Her long black hair hung around her shoulders, falling down over her chest. She wore a pink cotton summer dress that was loose and ended below her knees.
She looked breezy, casual, and adorable.
It was a great day to pretend to be in love.
“Who’s ready for some fun?” Dannyn asked, bouncing up and down as she rushed to Kase. She went up on her tiptoes, kissing him on the cheek. Sydria watched their exchange, and then her dark eyes turned to Marx.
She cautiously stepped forward, placing her soft hand on Marx’s forearm as she went up on her toes. His heart raced as he anticipated her smooth touch. Every muscle tensed when her warm lips brushed the side of his cheek. The kiss was quick—over as soon as it had begun, but its impact lasted long after. Marx would have to remember to thank Dannyn later for the example she’d set.
