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CHAPTERONE

No one had ever told my husband that too much pride was a dangerous thing.

No one had ever warned him that those he harmed would one day gather their strength—and come looking for vengeance.

And even if they had, even if the king of Eprotha had been cautioned by someone close to him…

He would never have listened.

It was his arrogance that would eventually be his downfall.

At least, that was my greatest hope.

Now, he lounged on his throne, his dark eyes bored, legs stretched out, a cup of wine in his hand. He was the picture of a relaxed, confident ruler.

But I’d watched last night. Watched his face flush purple with barely suppressed rage as he’d stalked into my chambers.

Barely half of the guards he’d taken with him to trap the corrupt were still alive. He’d returned to find his court robbed in his absence. Even the heavy jewels had been removed from around my neck.

His favorite assessor lay dead in the middle of our ballroom.

Sabium’s fury wasdelicious.

Now, no one who looked at him would believe him at all distracted by the escape of more than three hundred of his corrupt—a brutal blow that ensured the court was still whispering.

Most of our court currently lined the walls of the throne room, all of them desperate to see blood spilled. They were used to being invulnerable. Protected. In one night, rebels had held their lives in their hands—all while the courtiers were frozen in time.

I kept my expression perfectly blank, the slight purse of my lips communicating the expected amount of concern.

The king glanced at me and immediately away. “How,” he said quietly, “did a meregirlmanage to align with the fae, empty my dungeon, rob my court, andstealfrom me?”

Men. So utterly predictable with their insistence on diminishing women togirlsin an attempt to belittle us.

No one spoke.

Tymedes bowed his head, showcasing dark hair sprinkled with gray. As the man in charge of the king’s guard, Tymedes would bear the weight of the rebels’ achievements, freeing Sabium from any culpability.

“We are still investigating, Your Majesty.”

Sabium’s lip twitched, the only sign of his displeasure. “We will discuss this further this afternoon.”

Tymedes paled, allowing himself to be led away.

My ladies were next. I reached for my wine, my mouth suddenly dry.

With Setella…Prisca—no,Nelayragone, along with Madinia—that sharp-tongued viper—my ladies were now only four. Four was an unlucky number. Not as unlucky as five, but certainly not—

“Kaliera,” Sabium addressed me, and I lifted my head. My ladies stood in front of us, ashen-faced but composed, as I’d trained them. Hopefully, the years they’d lived in this court would ensure they kept that composure.

“I don’t see why you need to do this here,” I said. “I’ve already spoken with my ladies.”

“Regardless.” Sabium waved a hand, beckoning them closer. “All of you have denied knowing anything regarding the corrupt’s plans. But any detail could be important, no matter how small.” He gave them a cold smile. “Did you ever see any indication that the corrupt and the Bloodthirsty Prince knew each other?”

Pelopia, Alcandre, and Caraceli shook their heads. Lisveth hesitated.

Sabium leaned forward. “Speak.”

“Well, it’s just, uh… That is, Your Majesty…”