Page 32 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

It nearly broke me, but I had to answer the question despite knowing Jagon might actually force my hand. My response had to be truthful; otherwise, Riordan would know. Worse, if I didn’t answer, the inquisition spell would eviscerate my mind.

I prayed my words wouldn’t break this shallow truce between us.

‘They already did, and I refused.’

‘Why?’ Reynard asked coldly. ‘Wasn’t the money good enough?’

‘They didn’t offer money, but even if they had, I wouldn’t break the covenant between the Dark Brotherhood and the Crown.

’ The words came easily, as there was no lie in them, no half-truth.

I may have been forced into the Brotherhood, but what little integrity I had left drew a line no money could erase.

‘She’s telling the truth,’ Riordan said, but the king didn’t look at him.

‘I know,’ Reynard snapped before his expression softened. ‘Why did you really come to me that night? Forgive me, but I don’t believe you crept in just to warn the king.’

‘I knew someone of my standing wouldn’t get an audience with you. After the disaster at the Court of Aether, I had to try something. Your enemies are my enemies. Helping you was the only way to get rid of the man who’s after me.’

‘Who is he?’ Whether or not Reynard intended it, his question came out as a menacing growl, and I instinctively flinched. I didn’t want to reveal Brotherhood secrets, but looking at the king, I knew he wouldn’t let this go.

‘Jagon, the poison chapter master—but before you lead your proverbial cavalry onto an empty field, hear me out. He’s just an opportunistic fuck being bankrolled by someone powerful. That’s your true enemy, just as Jagon is mine.’

‘So, you wanted to use me. Fine, Viper, I can understand that, but why come in person? Why not tell Riordan?’

‘Oh, perhaps because I didn’t know who to trust?

In warning you, I’m not only going against the strongest chapter master in the Brotherhood but putting my dearest friend in danger.

Now, here I am, a prisoner, unable to do anything.

If I’m lucky enough to be released, I’ll have to think of a lie to explain why I’m still alive,’ I responded, swallowing hard because saying it out loud was forcing me to face the hopelessness of my situation.

‘You’ve backed me into a corner, so please, give me a way out. ’

Reynard and Riordan exchanged glances, but whatever the result of their silent communication, I wasn’t privy to it.

‘So the Brotherhood wants to kill me?’ Reynard asked resignedly.

‘The Brotherhood?’ I sighed. ‘No. But there’s an ongoing power struggle, and everyone’s looking out for themselves, with the less scrupulous members working against the grand master’s wishes.

My friend considers you a worthy king, so even if it’s hard to believe, I thought maybe you’d be interested in a good opportunity. ’

For the first time during the interrogation, Reynard smiled—genuinely smiled—and the sight was devastating.

I looked at the floor, trying to hide the heat crawling up my cheeks, a surprising reaction to the man who’d captured me.

It was ridiculous, but I had to admit that when he wasn’t choking me, imprisoning me, or letting his mage dig around in my mind—so, in essence, when he wasn’t a total bastard—Reynard was a man who radiated danger in such a scorching manner that I wanted to dip my fingers in the fire just to see if it burned.

‘Alright, little Viper, tell me how we can help each other,’ he said in an almost playful tone before controlling it once more.

‘Starting with the man who’s paying Jagon.

I’ll protect you, but I need their name.

If you don’t know that, I need to know what they look like, or anything else that will help us identify them. ’

I shook my head. ‘I don’t know their name. I only saw his proxy. He spoke with a southern accent and wore a palace guard’s uniform. You have enemies in your court.’

Reynard muttered a curse. ‘Godsdamn it. We’ll interrogate them all, but it would be easier if you could re—’ Reynard paused, frowning. That was when I noticed the commotion outside the chamber. ‘What in the pit’s going on out there?’

He gestured to the guard by the door, who opened it to reveal a steward standing with his back to the entrance, waving his arms around erratically. Once he realised the door was open, he turned around, relief written all over his face.

‘Your Majesty, these people insist on seeing you. It’s about the prisoner no one’s supposed to know about,’ he said cautiously. ‘I refused, but the dwarf started to fight.’

‘Tova,’ I whispered, my heart stuttering when I recognised him struggling with a guard.

Reynard frowned, his gaze switching between the steward and me. Finally, he gestured.

‘Bring them forth.’

I stood frozen as two guards escorted Tova and Lily in, shaking my head when Lily looked at me in confusion.

Tova frowned when I signalled for him to be quiet. I hoped their presence wouldn’t make the situation worse, but I knew the chances were slim with my impulsive tinkerer around.

Lily had gone all out on her outfit. Her long gown accentuated her curves whilst still modestly covering her body. It rustled quietly as she stepped forward, sinking to her knees, the pale blue dress pooling around her like water.

‘Your Majesty, may we speak in private?’ she asked, pulling Tova’s sleeve, but he stood tall, glaring at Reynard so intently that I half expected the king to erupt in flames. ‘Master Orenson and I have information that may be essential to Dagome’s safety, but it is for your ears only.’

Reynard straightened in his chair, and, following an unspoken command, the guards stepped closer to Tova.

‘I see you’ve noticed my captive, Master Orenson. I’m guessing you came here to demand her freedom rather than help the Crown?’

‘Sire, we—’ Lily started, but Tova didn’t let her finish.

‘Damn right. First, M?ot—the last dimwit who imprisoned her—refused to listen in Wiosna. Now I find my drah’sa a captive here too?

Care to explain yourself, Your Majesty ?

’ Tova said. I felt the blood drain from my face when the blunt end of the guard’s spear hit the back of the dwarf’s knees, forcing him to the floor.

‘No!’ I threw myself towards Tova when another soldier swung to strike, but I didn’t even get close.

‘Enough!’

Reynard had moved so fast that before I’d taken a single step, he’d grabbed my collar and pulled me into his arms.

The dress’s straining seams couldn’t handle the force, and with a loud ripping sound, my bodice tore apart.

I gasped, trying to grab the fabric, when I was spun around and, before fully realising what was going on, pressed against Reynard’s chest. My modesty had been preserved, but at what cost?

The scent of musk and lemongrass enveloped me while muscular arms held me so tight I couldn’t move.

‘Let me go!’ I hissed, pushing against his chest but he didn’t budge.

‘The front of your dress has split open, so stay where you are unless you want to give my guards something to ogle at,’ he chastised me before looking at Lily. ‘How are you called, Mistress?’

‘I don’t bloody care if they see my tits as long as they stop hurting my friend,’ I said, pushing harder as I tried to free myself, my worry for Tova much stronger than my fear of the king. ‘Let me go. I’m not your dog to be pulled around on a leash.’

‘But I care!’ Reynard only tightened his grip. His nostrils flared as he bent to my ear. ‘Roksana, let me handle the situation,’ he hissed, lips so close that his breath stirred my hair.

‘But they—’

‘They reacted because your knight in not-so-shining armour grabbed his axe. Their job is to defend their king, and that’s exactly what they did.’

The insult I’d had ready died on my lips; I hadn’t seen Tova’s hands move. In the sudden silence, I felt Reynard’s heart thumping beneath my hand, but he wasn’t paying attention to me. Instead, he looked up at a very pale Lily and asked, ‘Your name, my lady . . . please.’

‘Liliana Ordon, sire,’ Lily answered instantly, sitting back on her heels with a dazed look on her face.

‘I assume you are also Roksana’s friend?’

‘Yes, my lord. I received a message saying she was here, so I came to enquire as to her status.’

‘Interesting . . . but we can talk about that later. Please surrender your shawl, my lady,’ Reynard reached over, expecting her compliance.

Lily carefully unwrapped the silk wrap around her shoulders and held it out. ‘My lord, please unhand Sana,’ she said quietly, her hands trembling as she avoided touching him.

‘And if I choose not to?’

Lily bit her lip but couldn’t come up with an answer. Still, judgement burned in her eyes, so heavy that the king flinched when she raised her head and locked gazes with him.

‘Everybody out,’ Reynard commanded, the muscles under my hand tensing. I pulled away, but his fingers dug into my flesh, preventing my escape. ‘Not you, Viper. We need to talk.’

‘Don’t you dare hurt her!’ Tova shouted from where the guards held him.

‘Oh, for fuck’s sake, someone take him to a cell,’ Reynard said.

I shook my head at Lily when she opened her mouth to speak.

‘Sire, I don’t think this is a good idea,’ Riordan said, but Reynard waved him off.

‘Go with them. Ensure the dwarf is secure and that Mistress Ordon is comfortable. I want to talk with Roksana alone.’

Hesitation lingered in Riordan’s eyes, but in the end, he complied.

‘Yes, Your Majesty.’

The sound of a door closing had never felt so final.