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The dead reptilebled out on the floor and Gustav exclaimed, “How did that get in here?”

“No idea,” Avera stated, heading for a wash basin.

“It’s a spotted viper,” Gustav declared. “Did it bite you? Its fangs are full of poison.”

“No bite, but I am covered in its blood.” She grimaced as the water turned pink the moment she dipped her hands in it.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” he accused.

“I tried. I called out to you, but you were sleeping hard.”

“Impossible,” he scoffed. “I am a light sleeper.”

Avera turned with a damp cloth in hand. “And I am not. Usually, I can sleep through anything.” She learned to do so given the nursery level could be noisy when a baby got colicky.

Gustav paced as he ranted. “If the food were drugged, how come it only affected me? We ate the same thing.”

Should she mention how the lamp had gone out and reignited once the snake died? It would sound rather crazy.

She let Gustav continue to vent instead. “How did it get inside? These snakes aren’t common on this side of the continent. I’ve only ever heard of them living in Reedsy Marsh which is more than a week’s ride from here.”

“Perhaps someone kept on as a pet and as it got loose,” she offered even as she didn’t believe it.

“A pet?” Gustav couldn’t help an incredulous note.

“We don’t know for sure it was planted,” was her weak reply.

“Don’t be stupid. It doesn’t become you,” Gustav growled.

He marched to the wardrobe. The door was slightly ajar. “I see where they stashed it. Some of its skin rubbed off when it slithered free. Dammit. This is my fault. I should have searched the cupboards.” Gustav blamed himself. “I will relinquish my position at once, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, stop with the self-flagellation. Of all the things to worry about, a poisonous viper hidden in the wardrobe would have never made the list.”

“It didn’t get there without help.”

“Perhaps it was meant for the next consort,” Avera suggested.

“Again, you’re smarter than this. We both know you won’t be married that quick. The snake was meant to cause trouble now.”

“Only, no one knew I’d refuse the queen’s chambers and we were both in here the entire time they set up the bed. No one went near the wardrobe.”

“Indicating it was planted before. The last person to be in that cabinet would have been Benoit and whoever helped him move.”

“You think the former consort left it?” She found that hard to believe. Benoit might have been miffed at his loss of position, but that hardly made him a killer.

Gustav pursed his lips. “I don’t know. It doesn’t really make any sense as he had to know it would implicate him. Not to mention he’s a milksop. Pretty to look at but not much else going on.”

An interesting observation given she’d always seen Benoit as sly. She’d observed him on a few occasions, and when he didn’trealize anyone watched, he would get a cold and calculating look in his eyes.

“I’ll have him brought in for questioning,” Gustav declared.

Could Benoit have been involved in the murder plot? “How would he benefit? He lost all rank and privilege when the queen died. He’d hardly be first in line for the throne had I perished too.” Left unsaid—though it crossed Avera’s mind—was that Benoit would have known the ins and outs of the palace, their routines, perhaps even discovered the passages. Add in the fact his family was one of the older and more powerful ones, perhaps with everyone dead he’d expected to slide into the role of king given his proximity to the throne.

“Who knows what he thought. Perhaps he was angry at losing his pampered position. Even if he didn’t do it, he might have noticed some people in the room.”

“You’re right. He should be questioned. He and anyone else that was anywhere near this room. Grand Rook, please ensure it’s done,” Avera commanded. She had to start somewhere.

“With pleasure, Majesty.” The tight smile let her know Benoit wouldn’t be treated as gently as he’d grown accustomed to.