Page 36 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

‘What if she is powerful enough to need a geas? I’m sure I won’t need to use it, and the only person who would have the key to her soul is the mute custodian of the geas vault. Ri, it’s just an additional protection in case someone tries to use her against me.’

‘There will be repercussions,’ he said. ‘Hiding an ordinary mage with Brotherhood ties is one thing. But a titled mage, ennobled by geas, is not something you can sweep under the rug. Neither the Brotherhood nor the mages will take it lightly—especially the Brotherhood. They’ll see her power growing and want her under their thumb. ’

‘Maybe that’s what we need,’ I said. ‘Something to make a splash and see what floats to the surface.’

He hesitated. ‘Yes, but—’

‘No buts. You’ve seen the reports. Marauders are ravaging the South unchallenged.

The noble houses aren’t just blocking my attempts to send our army—they’re backing Duke Tivala while he feeds them empty assurances.

And now they’re using my injury to chip away at my authority.

Whether Tivala is behind it or someone else stands to gain from our kingdom’s unravelling, I need to know.

We need to find out who we’re fighting against.’

I approached my friend and grasped him by the shoulder.

‘I’m not reckless, but Sana saw a Southerner with Jagon.

Someone from the palace. If she finds out who he is, I can follow the breadcrumbs to his master without alerting our enemies.

If I have evidence that Tivala’s plotting against me—against Dagome—the noble houses can kiss my royal arse.

I will be free to depose the old bastard and send our army without risking civil war. ’

‘You are the king; your word is law,’ Riordan said. ‘They can shout as much as they want, but the army will follow you.’

I shook my head.

‘Don’t be like one of those fools who thinks the king has absolute power. Many monarchs have lost their kingdoms and their heads because they thought their backsides were forever nailed to the throne.’

‘And you think that woman will give you all the answers?’ he asked.

I took a moment to control my anger before answering.

‘You have a better idea? Be my guest. Tell me, how else can I fix this when all our leads end with Roksana and the Brotherhood?’ I ran a hand through my hair, a habit of mine whenever I failed to control my irritation.

My jaw tightened when the string of my eyepatch caught on my finger.

‘I’m clutching at straws here. I just need one fucking person to believe I’m doing all of this for a good reason. ’

‘Reynard . . .’ Riordan sighed, shaking his head. ‘I know you’d do anything for this kingdom.’ He looked older, and his resigned expression didn’t fit his usually carefree demeanour. ‘It’s just . . . the geas ritual . . . it almost broke me.’

‘Then ensure that doesn’t happen to her,’ I said. At his confusion, I realised I had no idea what I was talking about.

‘Rey, once she enters the geas hall, there’s no way back, and no one can help her,’ he said gently.

‘Then find another way to ensure her magic can’t be used against Dagome.

Talk to Ciesko. You two can work it out between you.

’ It wasn’t the most convincing evasion, but I’d just seen firsthand that she could outperform the arch healer in purging poisons at least, and even if that was the only thing she could do, it was no small thing.

‘Fine, but you’ll listen to your friend and get some rest. I’ll tell the steward to postpone the garrison visit until this afternoon.

The last several weeks have been taxing, and frankly, you look like shit, Rey.

The soldiers shouldn’t see their king looking as if he were a step away from the grave. ’

Riordan’s gall betrayed his distress. If it would make him happier, I was ready to let him have the last word.

‘If it’ll cease your nagging, mage, I’ll take a nap. But don’t tell anyone you have the power to send your king to bed,’ I jested to lighten the mood, and was rewarded with a fleeting smile.

‘No, not king. Friend . I’m on your side, Rey. Please remember that—even if we argue, I’m always on your side.’

As I walked to my bedroom, a young man dressed in a scribe’s livery accosted me in the corridor, requesting my time.

I was going to ask where my usual assistant was but remembered he’d asked to be dismissed as he had to look after a family member.

Of course, I could not deny him, even if training a new aide was unpalatable.

‘My lord, one of your spies is here to report about the event in the city,’ he said, glancing nervously behind him.

‘Bring him in,’ I responded, inhaling the familiar scent of books, ink, and wax as I entered my office.

The door creaked open again as I fell into my chair, and a merchant walked in, led by the guard. His fearful glances made him look like he wanted to drop to his knees and cry. I gestured him closer, but he only took one step before standing still and fumbling with his hat.

‘What do you have to report?’ I asked when he raised his head.

‘I’m not sure if it’s important, but the Brotherhood has contracted several food vendors. They’re having a Mabon feast at the end of next week. Rumour says this one is special; all the chapter masters and their successors are going.’

‘And that is . . . unusual?’ I was uncertain as to why a party should be my concern.

‘Nothing good comes from these meetings. Every time all of the chapter masters are under one roof, bad things happen . . . The merchants are getting worried, sire,’ he replied before mumbling to himself. I waved him off, noting the visible relief on his face as he retreated.

‘What are your orders, my lord?’ my scribe asked when we were alone in the room.

‘No orders. I’ll take a look myself. Ensure I have nothing planned for the day of the feast,’ I said, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of an excursion.

I hadn’t been in the city for a while. My spasms had prevented me from taking solitary trips, confining me to the palace and a few trusted locations, but now I could once again go out into the dark underbelly of my kingdom and gain a better perspective.

‘My lord, if I may . . .’ The steward’s shocked face made me smile. ‘It’s too dangerous, especially with your injury.’

‘That’s no longer a problem,’ I said, and suddenly, the idea of a midday rest wasn’t so irksome. I could relax before dealing with the new recruitment proposal the lord marshal had submitted earlier—and not just visit the garrison, but stay the night in the fields and train with my soldiers.

The realisation that I was once again free hit me like a hammer.

With renewed energy, I completed some more work, and half an hour later, I was in my bedroom, kicking off my shoes and lying on the bed.

However, despite my weariness, sleep refused to come.

My thoughts kept drifting to my feisty Viper, no matter how much I tried to dispel them.

The woman’s mere existence was a challenge, and her boldness?

Nobody had ever called me an ‘obstinate arse,’ especially not to my face.

Gods, she is pure chaos. Dangerous, unpredictable, and so fucking alluring . . .

‘Not this again,’ I groaned, sitting up, unwilling to give in to temptation.

My gaze drifted to the map I had found in Roksana’s belongings, still lying on the table. That was something that could occupy my mind—finding the traitor in my ranks, peering in from the shadows. I called for a servant and ordered them to bring me the captain of the guard.

I was already pacing when there was a knock on my door.

‘Come,’ I said. I was in no mood for pleasantries, and the moment the captain walked in, I asked, ‘Did you find the traitor who created this map straight to my room?’

The warrior snapped to attention, his spine so rigid it looked like someone had shoved a spear through it. A deep crimson spread up from his neck, coating his face in embarrassment.

‘No, sire. I’ve been questioning the men under a truthseeker’s magic since your guest surrendered the map. All I know is that she entered through the tunnel that leads to your study, and guards have already secured it. However, I take full responsibility for my lapse in judgement.’

‘I’m not assigning blame, Captain, but looking for solutions.

An enemy spy is within our ranks, and I want them found,’ I said coldly, my mind working on the situation.

‘For now, change it all. Study that map and adjust the guard posts to cover the gaps, then revise the patrols accordingly. Make them as unpredictable as possible, with different times and different routes . . . and make a fake copy of the guard’s schedule.

Hide it but ensure it can be found.’ A cruel smile ghosted my lips. ‘Let’s set a trap for this rat.’

The captain of the guard’s grin mirrored my own as he relaxed a fraction. ‘Yes, sire. Of course, Your Majesty.’

I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at the flurry of honorifics, but as soon as he stopped prostrating himself, we spent an hour discussing the changes until I dismissed him. When the door closed behind his retreating back, I sighed in relief, happy at finally having accomplished something.

I stretched out on the bed and placed an arm behind my head, calculating my forces and planning a series of manoeuvres to bring them closer to the southern borders without alerting the nobles.

I hoped that once I removed Tivala, I could secure his province in one fell swoop.

However, the numbers kept mixing in my head replaced by the feeling of Sana’s legs pressed to my thighs.

I thought about the moment before she had cleansed the poison—her body leaning so hard against me, the swell of her breasts rubbing my chest, alluring even through the haze of pain.

I shook my head. I wanted a woman I could not have.

Not now, not when the country was in uproar, and not a dark sister. Not if I wanted to stay on the throne.

‘This is beyond ridiculous,’ I groaned, my hand drifting down. If I was ever going to fall asleep, I needed to ease this tension. My cock throbbed as I grasped it while I pulled out her shirt that had somehow ended up under my pillow.

‘You’re a sick bastard,’ I muttered to myself, inhaling deeply as I recalled the memory of her straddling me on the throne, but it felt so good to give in to this craving.

Roksana’s eyes, their hazel depths illuminated by the green lightning of her power, dominated my thoughts as I stroked myself to completion, her name slipping from my lips as I came.

I might have scolded myself for yearning for a woman who thought nothing of me, but it was her image that finally brought me peace.