Page 145 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Adryan huffed a laugh, a smile curling on his lips. “I like her.”

The King locked eyes with Marietta. “I like her, too.”

Her stupid heart stuttered at his words. Gods, she was about to die and she acted like a foolish girl. She sighed and said, “I was born and raised in Kentro. I lived there until I moved to Olkia with Tilan Reid.”

“Speaking of Tilan,” Wyltam went on, “were you aware of his position within the Exisotis?”

“Not until Valeriya shared that with me. Keyain confirmed it afterward.”

“Can you confirm that you knew nothing of Keyain’s work in Enomenos until I told you?”

“What does this have to do with anything?”

“Please answer, Marietta.”

She shook her head, meeting his gaze. “He refused to tell me.”

“Even to this day?”

“Yes.”

“Did you know Valeriya was working with the Chorys Dasians?”

Marietta remembered her revelation the last time she prayed to Therypon. “Not until it was too late. When I agreed to aid her, I believed that the information would go to the Exisotis.”

“And last question,” Wyltam said. “Why did you steal information from Keyain under the pretense that Queen Valeriya would give it to the Exisotis?”

She swallowed hard, remembering the Queen’s intense gaze from their first meeting. “I was angry with Keyain. Angry that he attacked my home city-state. Angry that he signed that marriage contract without my consent.”

Adryan’s brows raised with the last comment, the humor in his expression fading away. “Do you mind if I ask a question?”

Marietta sized him up, looking from his head to his toes. “Not at all.”

“Why would Keyain sign a marriage contract without your consent?” Adryan looked between Wyltam and her as he leaned forward. “Then he dragged you back to Satiros a decade later.”

“Keyain said he thought I’d agree to a marriage when I never once suggested, entertained, or considered the idea.” Her fists clenched at her sides, letting the anger take over. “Why did you say drag me back to Satiros? I’ve never been to Satiros before Keyain abducted me.”

Adryan furrowed his brows, then raised them as his jaw dropped. “That’s what you’re looking for.”

“I think that’s enough for today,” Wyltam said, staring at Marietta. “Adryan, I will find you later this afternoon.”

The minister cleared his throat and stood. “Again, Marietta, it was a pleasure.”

She offered a weak smile as he left the room. The space seemed smaller with him gone, the King staring at her with such sadness. Once again, he took off his expressionless mask.

Marietta slid off the bed and walked over to him, standing before his chair. “Are you going to explain or let me speculate?”

Wyltam leaned back, looking amused. “With due time, I’ll tell you anything you wish to know.”

“Well, it seems like I’m going to die in two—”

He stood and took her hand. “You will not die. I won’t let it happen.”

Marietta looked up into his face, taken aback by the intensity in his expression. “Why do you care if I die or not? It’d solve your war.”

“I’d fight both of them if it meant keeping you safe.”

For a moment, she could say nothing. She held his gaze, the impact of his words taking root. “That seems a tad brash,” she said, trying to deflect.

“You would know.” He looked away as he smiled, trying to hide it.

Marietta reached for his chin and drew his face back toward her to see. She was on death’s doorstep and this man, this stranger—a gods damned king—once again wanted to save her. Little did he know she hated needing to be saved.

He leaned in, Marietta’s heart racing at the thought of his lips on hers again, but they fell short as he rested his forehead against hers.

His hands caressed her cheeks as she closed her eyes and savored the deepness of his voice.

“No matter what happens, no matter which way the ruling goes, I’ll make sure you live. ”

“Couldn’t you just pardon my crimes?” she asked, pulling her head away. “You’re the King.”

“I’m a king trying not to be a king. If I ordered people to do as I wish, then how could I justify uniting with Enomenos?” He shook his head. “The balance I have with my current council is that I trust that they will uphold the laws.”

“Great,” Marietta said. “You have one minister who proves he doesn’t.”

“Keyain is a fool.”

“An understatement.”

He smiled again, not hiding it from her that time. “If they vote in favor of your execution,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, “then I’ll get you out of Satiros. You’ll live no matter what, so don’t lose hope. Please.”

His last word was a plea, his emotions twitching his lips downward.

Gods damn him for it, for the way she wished to smooth the tension between his brows.

For the truth she heard in his words. As it was in the beginning, Wyltam wished to make sure she was alright.

Her chest stirred with an emotion she dared not name. “I trust you,” she murmured.

A moment passed where he said nothing, just taking in the details of her face. “I’ll talk to the nurses so they don’t drug you again.”

“An order from their King?” she said with a slight raise of her brow.

“A demand, if you will,” he said. “As long as I’m the King, no one will touch you or give you anything without your consent. That is my promise.”

Marietta dropped her hand from his touch, nodding her head. She watched as he left, as he paused in the doorway to look at her one last time before closing it.

Her head whirled with the information. Valeriya was dead, she was on trial to be executed, and the King wanted to save her.

None of it sat right with her, feeling helpless.

There had to be some way to gain control, one way to flip it on them.

Marietta paced as she reflected on the conversation, determined to find a way out by herself.