Page 24 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

Roksana

T he sun hung high above the horizon as I was led back through the palace. Contrary to my expectations, the serving women didn’t return me to my cell, instead heading towards one of the palace’s wings high above the ground overlooking the river.

‘Where are you taking me?’ I asked, squinting as the sun’s rays fell on my face.

‘As per His Majesty’s orders, you will be held under house arrest. He has assigned you a room in the visitor’s quarters,’ the guard accompanying us answered.

I stopped, turning towards him. ‘Why?’

‘How should I know? The king doesn’t ask my opinion,’ he snapped. ‘Now move, woman, unless you want to be taken back to your cell.’

A few moments later, he opened an ornate door and gestured for me to enter. I took a step in and had to grasp the doorframe, completely surprised by my new prison.

Even a high-born lady wouldn’t turn her nose up at such luxury.

A grand four-poster bed anchored the room, its presence commanding yet elegant.

Sunlight spilled through a west-facing window overlooking the river, casting a golden glow over the entire space as I gaped.

I took in the view of water birds flitting down to the river’s shallows, their cheerful calls as they enjoyed the morning sun drawing a smile from me.

Nearby, a small table stood topped with a sewing basket, basic toiletries, and a modest vanity mirror, and I noticed a neat stack of well-thumbed books on one side of the bed.

Nothing was amiss, and though the colour palette leaned towards bland pastels, the room was stunning.

With its soft rugs, cosy throws, and gentle quiet, it exuded a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

‘And what will I be doing here?’ I asked, turning to face the servants as they prepared to leave.

‘Resting? Eating? How should I know? I wasn’t given specific instructions. Just be grateful the king allowed your message to be delivered,’ one of them answered.

‘But don’t try anything stupid,’ the guard warned.

‘My orders are clear. If you hurt anyone or attempt to escape, you will end up in the old castle again. And I’d love nothing more than to throw you back into the dungeon.

’ He smiled cruelly. ‘In fact . . . I know the perfect cell for you—one that is often flooded. Now get inside,’ he said before brutally pushing me forward.

I stumbled, hissing when my hip painfully connected with the edge of the table. ‘You mother —oh, pleased to see you again, Your Majesty.’

Reynard didn’t even look at me as he held the guard by the scruff of his neck. The man’s feet dangled above the ground, but the king seemingly hadn’t broken a sweat. His stormy expression was bad news for my assailant.

‘I gave a command for the lady to be treated as a guest . If you struggle to understand that, you aren’t good enough to be in my service.’

The tone of his voice could freeze the river below, so detached and devoid of emotion that it was difficult to reconcile it with the angry, passionate man from last night. As soon as he let go of the guard’s neck, my assailant bowed deeply.

‘Forgive me, sire, but we all know why she was arrested. She doesn’t deserve such quarters. Someone like her should be put to death, not provided with luxuries.’

‘Did I ask your opinion?’ Reynard said, his eye narrowing as he lifted an eyebrow at the man who dared question him.

There was the War King—pure, ruthless danger.

The guard visibly shrank, mumbling his apologies, but the king wasn’t done yet.

‘Tell everyone that anyone who lays a hand on this woman will be my next sparring partner, and that I won’t hold back. ’

The man paled, his mouth opening with such a shocked expression that I sniggered. Reynard looked at me, the corner of his lips lifting slightly in a covert smile as he walked inside and closed the door behind him.

‘How do you feel?’

‘Better than him. I’m glad to see you terrorise everyone equally,’ I said, unable to resist the little jibe. ‘Should I ask what you do to them during this sparring , or is that a royal secret?’

His gaze was so focused on me that I felt naked beneath his scrutiny despite being fully clothed.

‘It’s just sword practice, where I stretch my muscles and teach them a lesson or two. Sometimes it gets a little . . . boisterous,’ he said. ‘Is it warm enough in here?’

‘What?’ My genuine confusion at the sudden change of subject made him huff before he leaned against the doorframe, keeping his distance from me.

‘The healer told me you were suffering from the cold sickness. I should have left you with something to cover yourself with.’ His fingers drummed on the wood before he made a fist. ‘Well, you have blankets aplenty now.’

Indeed I did. The bed was buried under furs and quilts, some of which had fallen on the floor.

Is he trying to apologise?

That was the last thing I’d expected after his previously arrogant display.

Another shard of anger melted inside me.

‘Thank you, and I’m fine.’ I gestured for him to sit. ‘It’s not my first time sleeping on a stone-cold floor.’

There was only one chair, and even as he shook his head, I walked to the bed, leaving him with the option. It took a moment to clear a space to sit, but as I did, I wrapped a soft wool shawl over my shoulders. ‘Thank you for letting me send my friend a message, and for the accommodation.’

He laughed. ‘“Staying with a friend?” How could I refuse such a nicely phrased request?’ he said, licking his slightly swollen lower lip. ‘Riordan confirmed your story about warning the mages.’

So, this is my reward.

I didn’t push the subject. Growing up in the Brotherhood had taught me that there was only so much grovelling or arguing a man could take in one day, and he had done a lot already.

Despite the abundance of space, Reynard still stood at the door, observing my battle with the throws with an amused expression.

‘You know you can sit down. The door won’t fall off its hinges if you stop leaning on it,’ I said.

His lips twitched, and he coughed, looking away as if being amused by me was a crime. ‘Thank you, Viper. I’ll stay where I am. I have a few questions, though.’

‘Ah, now we discover the price for all this luxury. Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll answer all your queries. Every. Single. One of them,’ I said, throwing his words from last night in his face. ‘So, what do you want to know? Do you want to hear about Wiosna or about who wants you dead?’

‘Those can wait for Riordan. He’ll be back in two days, maybe a little longer. I . . .’ He paused as if holding himself back before his posture relaxed again. ‘Tell me, little Viper, why did you join the Brotherhood? What were you looking for? Money? Power?’

‘Revenge, but why are you assuming I had a choice?’ I answered, placing my hand on my stomach as it rumbled.

Reynard frowned before opening the door and calling for food. This time, when he closed it, he sat on the chair near the door.

I rolled my eyes. ‘Sitting so far away is bizarre. You can come closer, I won’t bite.’

I don’t know what had made me say that, but he looked me dead in the eye and licked the small wound on his lower lip, as if reminding me that I had , in fact, bit him. My cheeks heated with embarrassment and his smile grew bigger.

‘First lie . . . but I’ll let it slide,’ he said, stretching out on the chair. ‘Why did you want revenge?’

‘My parents. They were killed when I was young. And before you ask, my father was no saint, just a horse trader who thought swindling a local chieftain was the height of cleverness. His triumph only lasted a few days before a group of mercenaries turned up asking for money . . . I’m sure you can guess how that went,’ I said, unwilling to share the painful memories.

‘I still want to hear it,’ he answered calmly.

‘Only if you promise to leave me alone after I tell you. I’m tired and want to rest.’

His brows shot up before he scoffed. ‘You still think you can tell me what to do? Just answer me, Viper. How did you become a dark sister?’

‘After the mercenaries burned my family alive as . . . an example, keeping me for . . . a bit of fun, a man turned up and offered them money to be my first,’ I stuttered, the memory of that day still difficult to talk about.

Reynard stood from the chair and moved towards me, halting mid-step. ‘Did he hurt you?’

‘No. Although I almost hurt him . I promised to rip his neck open with my teeth if he came any closer,’ I said.

‘Seeing that I was serious, my willingness to kill earned me a contract and the means to avenge my family. The price for my soul was a small bag of herbs and the instructions on how to poison those bastards with it. And before you pity me—I enjoyed every moment that I stood there, watching them die in agony next to the ashes of my mother and sister.’

I turned my head towards the window, hiding my unwanted tears. ‘That was my first kill,’ I whispered, seeking comfort in the shawl as I wrapped it tighter around me. ‘Now you can leave. I’m too tired to listen to your judgement.’

My story wasn’t a secret. Jagon bragged about it often, letting everyone know that he was the one who had found the ‘gem amongst the ashes.’

Still, even after all these years, it was difficult to talk about it.

My father was a na?ve fool who had earned his fate, but my mother had possessed a childlike innocence that made her death even more horrible.

It often felt like her spirit was elsewhere as she looked at me with those verdant green eyes, her smile making the flowers bloom.

My mother lived simply, happily. She loved her garden and the orchard, her kindness and laughter burning brightest when we cavorted between the trees, fireflies dancing around us. What those bastards did to her . . . what they wanted to do to me . . .

I took a deep, calming breath, blinking away the tears while I pushed my bittersweet memories back into the deep recesses of my soul. ‘Please leave, Your Majesty. It wasn’t a lie, and I’m tired.’