Page 39 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

Reynard

T he swell of her hips, the fire in her eyes, her intoxicating scent . . . I hid my face in my hands and groaned in frustration.

Gods, why can’t I free myself of these thoughts?

Even the movement of the curtains in the breeze reminded me of her dress as it had exposed her legs.

I’d had Roksana followed, not that I doubted she’d hold to her oath, but the woman was reckless enough to have gone to the mages and sneak into my bedchamber.

In a city like Truso, such impulsiveness could easily end in the icy waters of the river—all it would take was a stealthy knife in a dark alley.

Yet, even having my guards track her didn’t assuage the uneasiness I felt.

Knowing that she was somewhere in the city, beyond my reach, made me nervous.

Protecting her has become pivotal to my plans. That’s the only reason I feel like this, I reasoned with myself. The voice in the back of my mind scoffed at the thought.

‘What are you doing now, Viper? Getting ready for bed or mixing another concoction to turn someone else’s life upside down?’ I mused. Then, as if on command, an insistent knocking rattled the door.

‘Enter.’

‘Your Majesty.’ The guard bowed, barely coming into the room. ‘We lost her.’

It took a moment for his words to sink in. I stood up, the old leather chair I had been sitting in crashing into the wall as I approached the bowing guard.

‘How?’ I asked through gritted teeth. ‘She’s barely left the palace, and you’ve already lost her? What happened? Did someone take her?’

Did the oath fail? Has she escaped? Fuck, if she’s fooled me . . . I wondered.

That possibility was easier to bear. If she escaped, she was safe.

But if she’d been taken . . .

The guard broke through my train of thought before it spiralled into foolish action. ‘Sire, we don’t know exactly what happened. But we lost her after she arrived at The House of Lilies.’

My brows drew closer. ‘You’re bothering me because she’s staying at her friend’s?’

I had to train my men better if they became alarmed simply because the woman was resting.

‘The thing is, sire, she isn’t. We have people inside.

A guard and a maid who report on the guests.

Both swore on their lives that your prisoner arrived, but that after someone visited her room, she vanished, though she wasn’t seen leaving the building.

They searched the place and found no trace of her.

No one, save the owner, perhaps, knows what happened,’ he said, and I bit back a curse.

‘Did they check the basement?’

‘The basement, the rooms, everywhere. I posted one of our younger recruits there a month ago. The maid’s been there since we’d noticed how many nobles frequent the business. They know the House of Lilies inside out, and I trust them when they say Roksana Regnav is not in the building.’

I wasn’t surprised he had taken the initiative.

When I became king, I had ordered my spies to infiltrate prominent public establishments, guesthouses, taverns, brothels, and even shops popular with the nobility.

I wanted to know who was doing what, where, and with how much money.

If they happened to mention their plans, so much the better.

I didn’t know how Roksana had avoided my spies, but I would find out.

‘Tell your contact that someone in a wolf mask will soon visit. He should ensure the man gains entry without any questions,’ I said, a plan forming in my head.

The only person who might know where my Viper was would be Liliana, the owner of the brothel, though I doubted she’d volunteer the information.

Still, few stay tight-lipped when standing before the king.

I thought about the dwarf in my cells, and I smirked, knowing how useful he was about to be if Roksana had tricked me.

‘Go to the cells and tell the overseer to post two guards on the dwarf. He must not be harmed, but if he disappears, I’ll have their heads.’

The man bowed, retreating, and I exhaled softly, returning to my desk and drafting a message to Riordan.

After I’d signed it, I went to the window, jerking it open to look at the city below.

A chill wind filled with the promise of rain blew past, giving me goosebumps and scattering my letters to the floor, but I ignored them.

A shiver of excitement ran down my spine as I turned and pulled a custom-made wolf mask from a drawer. It covered the upper half of my face and its enchanted red glass eyes allowed me to see the world; however, any who’d look back at me would only see their own reflection.

Masks were popular in Truso, and I’d bet my life that every noble cheating on his wife in the middle of the night had one, but this one was unique.

I’d paid well for it to be enchanted to help me blend into the crowd, even with my imposing figure.

I’d had it made a long time ago, before the war, when I used to sneak into the capital for meetings with the nobles conspiring to depose the old king.

‘The man with a wolf’s face and the woman with a viper’s touch . . . What a pair we are,’ I whispered, looking at the wolf’s muzzle in the mirror as I fastened a short sword onto my belt and a blackened vambrace on my wrist. ‘Time to hunt.’

The House of Lilies was bustling by the time I arrived. Fae lights and flickering candles created dark shadows, obscuring those who came seeking illicit pleasure. Music and chatter spilled out every time the doors opened, flooding the street with light and laughter.

From the outside, it was a theatre house and restaurant, but once inside, there was more entertainment than could be found on any menu.

Lilies’ offered shows and good food, but in its alcoves and private rooms, the rich could also indulge in pleasures of the flesh and mind.

Beneath its glamour, there was even a basement with a stylised dungeon for those desiring pain or submission.

I didn’t care for such practices, but as long as no one’s consent was violated, I forbade the authorities from intervening.

It was better to have a controlled outlet for certain needs than to have bodies on the street.

The bouncer, a well-built man, nodded as I entered, no questions asked, despite the murmurs of those still waiting their turn.

Still, they quickly quieted when I turned to look at them, posturing as the type of guest whose position granted them priority in such an establishment. No one challenged me.

I instinctively searched for the scent of lilac and honey among the luxury perfumes and delicious roasted meats and desserts, as if I had any chance of finding her in this crowd.

‘Welcome, kind sir. May I offer you refreshment?’ a hostess asked as she balanced a heavy tray with a variety of drinks on one hand.

I took the closest goblet, not looking at its contents, stepping to the side to avoid a drunk couple that stumbled in after me.

‘Absinthe? A rare but excellent choice, my lord. Would you like to meet Madam Liliana to discuss your . . . interests?’ the hostess said as I glanced at the green liquid sparkling in the candlelight.

Does one’s choice of drink have a hidden meaning?

Whatever it meant, it suited my needs, so I nodded, letting her lead me into a bustling room.

Liliana sat in a secluded alcove, fanning herself as she observed the mingling guests.

From what I’d been told about her, the Ice Queen of Truso was never seen with a lover or took an interest in the pleasures her House was famous for.

The woman had more of a regal air about her than any of the noble ladies of my court, and I couldn’t help smiling when she turned to greet me.

‘Welcome to The House of Lilies, Sir . . .?’

‘My name is of no consequence, but I’d be grateful if we could speak in private.’

A crease marred her otherwise perfect features, but after a moment’s hesitation, Liliana nodded, sending away both the hostess and the servant waiting on her.

‘What topic of conversation prevents you from sharing your name . . . or face? A word of warning, before we talk,’ she said, pointing at the armed man observing us from a distance, ‘we may be alone, but I am not unguarded.’

I got to the point. ‘I’m looking for my Viper. If you’ve helped her escape, this House, and all of its pleasures, will be erased from the city while you watch from my dungeons.’

My words were followed by the sharp snap of her closing fan. Liliana stood up, the colour draining from her face, though that was the only sign of her fear.

‘What do you want from her, Your Majesty?’

‘Find some other name to address me by when I’m wearing this mask. If I’d wanted my presence known, I would have arrived surrounded by guards. Roksana—I want her whereabouts, that’s all.’

‘Sana is resting, Wolf,’ she said. ‘If you wish to see her, I can ask her to visit you tomorrow.’

Our standoff was attracting some attention, with several entertainers exchanging glances and making a flurry of unusual gestures.

I recognised the language of those born without hearing; using it in this place was a touch of genius.

None of the clients seemed to notice, but I saw several people moving closer.

‘Please sit down, Madam. Neither of us wants to see your staff get hurt over such a minor issue. Perhaps you could reassure them as well? Surely, in this profession, you’ve learned how to handle difficult clients.’

Liliana gave the staff one of her famous smiles, her free hand moving in a similar way to the entertainers’.

I need to use this in the army, I thought, impressed by how effective their silent communication was.

Once she was sitting comfortably, I pressed for the truth.

‘Now tell me why you’re lying and surrender Roksana’s location.’

Liliana’s hands tightened on the armchair, her knuckles turning white. She looked away, focusing on the stage where two acrobats were performing a complicated balancing act.