Page 19 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

‘Did you, even for a moment, consider that our first meeting was an accident and what happened next was a tragic misunderstanding?’ I whispered, trying to keep my voice calm.

‘Finding a Dark Brotherhood spawn with her thugs at the dwarven border just as I arrived was a misunderstanding? Don’t insult my intelligence.’ The anger still burned in his eye, but the mindless rage had bled away, and I sensed my chance.

‘I wasn’t with them. The man who sent them after me also wants your head.

I thought you were one of them.’ I sucked in a breath.

‘I thought you were wanting to take your turn . . .’ My voice broke, tapering off while his brows drew closer.

The king shook his head, searching for something in my eyes, his expression strangely vulnerable.

However, moments later, his features hardened.

‘Spare me your lies. You’re like a fox trapped in a snare, willing to do anything to get away,’ he said, though there was a flicker of uncertainty there that maintained my hope.

‘Then spare my life until you find the truth. I was running from Wiosna. Send a messenger to M?ot’s court to confirm, if you’d like. I worked there as a healer before I was imprisoned under false pretences,’ I said. ‘As soon as I arrived in Truso, I tried to warn people, to warn the mages.’

I didn’t know how much I could disclose without revealing all my cards and losing my bargaining power, but his gaze softened the longer I spoke.

‘I swear I didn’t plan this. Please . . . release my wrists.’ I hated begging, but my shoulders felt like they were coming out of their sockets, and tears fell unwillingly from my eyes. ‘You’re hurting me.’

‘Do you think I’m someone who’ll break at the sight of a woman’s tears?’ he asked, but he eased back on the pressure

I sighed in relief.

‘Guards!’ he yelled.

‘No, wait, please. Listen to me—’

My words were cut short when he placed a hand on my mouth, his thumb brushing a stray tear from my cheek. My eyes widened, surprised by his actions, and I pressed myself back against the wall, but he pushed in closer.

‘Stop.’ He blew out a breath. ‘Just stop. You can’t soften me with your tears. The man who’d fall for such tricks died in the forest. You fooled me once . . . I won’t let it happen again,’ he said calmly.

Closing his eye, he inhaled deeply. ‘Enjoy your petty victory, little Viper. You’ll live until I confirm your story.’

I turned my head to the side as I needed my mouth free to speak. If he didn’t listen to me, next time, he might encounter a more proficient killer. But he tightened his grip, not allowing me to move.

‘Stop fighting me. You damaged more than my eye that day, so for your own sake, don’t make me lose my temper again,’ he said, his hand shifting only for a moment as he crowded his body so close to mine that my breath hitched.

‘I’m not . . . please stop,’ I whispered, tensing when his forehead touched mine.

‘Fuck . . . for Perun’s sake, be quiet.’

He said it so softly, almost pleadingly, that I exhaled slowly and complied.

He confused me. His eye was so dilated I could barely see the iris, and beads of sweat trailed down his face, mixing with the blood from the cut on his lip.

Reynard looked like a man fighting an internal struggle as he breathed in and out, his expanding chest touching mine without him even noticing.

I relaxed in his grip once again, forcing my eyes closed. I remained still until, with a quiet grunt, he pulled away. When I was brave enough to look at him again, he appeared to be in control.

‘I think I’ll keep you for a very long time, Viper,’ he said, placing a hand on my cheek.

His touch was gentle this time, but a sense of dread washed over me.

I couldn’t be trapped here. Boyan’s position was at stake.

If I didn’t show up at the Mabon feast, Jagon would surely use it as an excuse to issue a formal challenge.

‘No.’

‘No? Oh, you thought if we talked, I’d let you go?’ He laughed. ‘I may not want to kill you, but that doesn’t mean you’ll gain your freedom. Whatever the truth may be, you maimed the king. You committed an offence punishable by death, and your life is now mine .’

I flinched, panting with panic. More tears came as he tightened his grip again. Fighting him was futile. Without my poisons, I was just a woman, half his size, barely trained in stealth and combat, and with no illusions about what my chances were.

Think, Sana. You have until the feast. He’s already changed his mind about killing you .

The thought eased my fears.

Reynard smiled. ‘I see you understand now. I’m not a man to be trifled with.’

He dropped his hand, leaving me unrestrained.

‘Call your truthseeker,’ I said. ‘They’ll confirm my story. But please, once they finish with my mind, let me go. My friends will be in danger if I remain here . . . I’ve risked my family’s lives to come warn you.’

‘And why should I care?’

‘Because you are supposed to be a decent man!’

The stubborn oaf heard me but refused to listen. I had no way of convincing him, though if I gave him a reason to trust me, I was sure he’d let me go.

‘Fine!’ I said, exasperated. ‘I’ll take a blood oath. I’ll return to you once I ensure my family is safe, but please, you have to let me go.’

He gasped, taking a step back. A blood oath bound a person’s life to their promise, only death freeing them from its shackles.

My proposal was a reckless one, but I was hoping to phrase my oath cleverly enough to avoid the direst consequences.

I reached for the short dagger on my belt to seal the deal.

His reaction was intuitive, and before I knew it, the blade was flying across the room. The movement brought him close again, so close I could feel the heat of his body against my skin.

‘Never draw a blade in my presence,’ he snarled.

His words were deathly cold, but before I could answer, armed men entered the room. I swallowed hard, almost sagging to the floor, when the king suddenly released me.

‘Take her to the cells—the ones in the old castle with functioning wards. No one is to visit her until I allow it.’

He turned towards me then, his gaze hardening.

‘Strip.’

‘No!’ I answered, my gaze shifting between the three men. They had me trapped like a cornered rabbit. I glanced toward the window.

If I could survive the fall . . .

The king followed my gaze and moved, blocking my path.

‘You three, turn around,’ he commanded his men before stepping into my space. ‘No one will touch you, but I won’t let you keep any blades or poisons on you. Now, strip. Unless you want me to do it for you?’ he asked, picking up the dagger I’d dropped.

‘If I do, could I at least send a message to my friend—’

‘And warn my enemies? Not a chance.’

‘You’re a fucking arsehole,’ I said, swallowing back tears. I’d achieved nothing by coming here. The only plan I’d had had just fallen apart because this stubborn man refused to listen.

He smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. His muscles tensed, highlighting his warrior’s frame, but all I could see was the brute forcing my submission.

‘Arsehole?’ he mused. ‘I don’t know about that. You’re still alive. Some gratitude’s in order, don’t you think? Let’s see if a few days in a cell will improve your manners.’

Moments later, my dress lay in a pile on the floor. I took off my blouse, dreading the moment I’d have to remove the simple linen chemise that barely touched the top of my thighs.

‘Stop.’

His order caught me mid-movement, and I raised my eyes, meeting his gaze.

‘What? Suddenly afraid to see some tits?’ I sneered, raising my chin high and reaching for the lace of my final covering. I was done begging, determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing me beaten down and afraid.

‘Why would I spoil a moment I could enjoy later?’ He grabbed my hand, preventing me from disrobing, unfazed as I stared at him in challenge. ‘You can’t hide a weapon under this scrap of fabric,’ he said, calling for the guard.’ You there, check her boots, then take her to the cells.’

The guard slid his hands along my calves, pushing his fingers inside my boots while I held the king’s gaze. His jaw bunched, tightening rhythmically before he snarled, ‘That’s enough. Take her.’

I was grabbed and led out of the room. Before the door closed, I turned around to look at the man whose intense gaze seemed to burn a hole in my soul. The corner of his mouth tilted up and he placed a hand on his chest as he delivered a mocking bow.

‘Sleep well, little Viper, and get used to your new home. I feel we’ll be spending a lot of time together . . .’

He grated on me so much in that moment that before I could stop myself, I shouted back, ‘Eat shit and die, bastard!’

Only to hear my curse answered with a burst of laughter.