Page 72 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

Roksana

I woke to find myself wrapped around Rey so completely that it looked like I was climbing him like a bloody tree.

He was fast asleep, nose buried in my hair, one large hand possessively cupping my rear.

With a roll of my eyes, I attempted to wriggle free—only for the randy sod to crack his eye open and tighten his grip.

‘Sanika, where are you going?’ His voice was husky with sleep, but his gaze sharpened, sweeping the room with sudden alertness.

I sighed theatrically and leaned in to press a kiss to his forehead, my other hand reaching for his discarded shirt at the edge of the bed. Luckily, it was large enough to fall to mid-thigh on me.

‘No man should ask where a woman goes first thing in the morning,’ I said, shrugging into it. The smile returned to his face, and he pulled me back, smacking my naked rump.

‘Fair enough, little Viper. But be quick about it. There’s a particular kind of . . . agony men wake up with, and your presence might be quite helpful.’ He arched a brow and tilted his head towards the obvious tent in the blankets.

‘You don’t need me, you need a handmaiden,’ I shot back, laughing as I ducked the pillow he tossed. ‘I won’t be long. Unless they make me beg to get my dress back. I need to go home, and since you tore the only thing I had on . . .’

I darted from the room, nearly startling the guard into drawing his sword when I asked him to send for the servants to return my clothes. Then I dashed off to the privy, where I washed up quickly, eager to return and help Rey with his so-called affliction.

When I returned, Reynard was standing by the window beside a tray of breakfast and a jug of water. My kirtle lay folded beside it.

‘The servants brought your dress,’ he said. ‘But must you return to Tova?’

I froze, frowning at the note in his voice.

‘Well, I live there, remember?’ I chuckled, trying to lighten the moment. ‘And if I don’t go home tonight, I imagine Tova will be here soon enough, shaking his axe at your head.’

He didn’t laugh.

‘You could come with me. To the palace.’

‘And do what there?’ I asked, blinking. ‘My life is here. I can finally learn how to use my power properly and help Boyan get the Brotherhood in order. We’re getting so close, Rey.

If I can push the Mules into revealing their routes and pressure Jagon into exposing his backer, we can eliminate the threat to your throne.

’ I picked up a piece of bread and popped it into my mouth.

‘You could still do all that,’ Reynard murmured, moving to stand beside me and sliding an arm around my waist. ‘But from the palace. With me. I know it’s a change . . . but we’ll figure it out.’

I swallowed a small canapé that suddenly felt dry and tasteless in my mouth and reached for my kirtle. As tempting as it was to wake up by his side every morning, Dagome wasn’t ready for that—and neither was I.

The geas trial had revealed more than just the key to my soul. It cracked open a truth I couldn’t ignore: I needed to find out who my real father was.

My suspicions pointed towards someone high-ranking in the Brotherhood, but I wouldn’t accept it without confirmation from the grand master himself.

Being the daughter of an infamous assassin, on top of finding out I wasn’t entirely human, wasn’t something I could leave unchecked to simply move into the palace.

‘Rey, there’s so much I have to tell you . . .’

Before I had a chance to finish, a decisive knock disrupted our conversation.

‘Oh, go away!’ Reynard shouted, just as I said, ‘Enter.’

The door opened, and Riordan stepped into the room. He glanced between Reynard and me, frowning at the tension. I hoped he wouldn’t try digging into my mind because I didn’t want anyone learning what I’d discovered in the Geas Hall before investigating it myself.

‘My apologies for the intrusion, Your Majesty,’ he said, voice taut. ‘But some problems have arisen that require your immediate attention.’ He hesitated, gaze flicking to me. ‘Though perhaps we can discuss them at the palace—’

‘Whatever it is, you can say it in front of Sana,’ Reynard cut in, tugging me closer.

Riordan’s mouth tightened. Whatever news he brought, it wasn’t good.

‘I can step out, if that makes things easier,’ I offered, but Rey’s grip on my waist only firmed.

‘I trust you with my life, Roksana,’ he said simply. ‘Why wouldn’t I trust you with my country?’ He turned back to Riordan. ‘Spit it out.’

The mage braced himself before inhaling deeply. ‘Fine,’ he said. ‘A messenger arrived from the northern garrison—M?ot’s finally lost the last of his marbles. His army’s crossed the border. Two villages are gone, possibly more; I’m not sure. That was the situation when the rider left for Truso.’

‘What?’ Reynard’s voice cut sharp and low. Then a dark smirk curved his lips. ‘That fool attacked us?’ He huffed, shaking his head. ‘If he wants to play stupid games, I’ll give him exactly what he wants.’ But then his tone shifted, and he gestured to Riordan. ‘You said problems . Plural.’

The mage looked like he’d swallowed a bug that was trying to crawl its way back out to freedom.

‘I’m not sure if it is a problem,’ Riordan hedged, ‘and I really don’t think we should discuss it now . . .’ He paused. ‘Your scribe found a letter.’ His fists tightened, and I didn’t need to be a psychic mage to see he was growing more agitated with each passing moment.

‘And that is important, why?’ Reynard looked puzzled. So was I.

Riordan passed him a small envelope sealed with the Tivala family crest, and as I looked at it, a feeling of dread washed over me.

Had the old duke found out about Lily? If Jagon told him, I’d kill the fucker.

‘Rey, whatever he wants, you swore to protect Lily. I’ll take the blame if needed,’ I said, tightening my fists as he broke the seal.

Reynard said nothing as he unfolded the letter, but I could see the way his jaw tensed the more he read. His brows furrowed, his lips thinned, and his entire body wound tight with fury I recognised far too well.

Then he snapped.

‘That bloody bastard thinks he can blackmail me?’ he growled, slamming the letter down on the table. ‘Not bloody likely.’ He stormed to the door, yanked it open, and barked at the guard outside. ‘Bring me my scribe. Now!’

I knew I shouldn’t have, but my curiosity overcame politeness.

If Tivala was using Lily as a bargaining chip, I needed to know.

I picked up the vellum. The letter was heavily embellished, more like an invitation than a threat, and as I looked at the ornate handwriting, my mouth dropped open, unsure if I was reading it right.

To His Majesty Reynard Varec Erenhart, War King of Dagome,

I trust this missive finds you in good health.

I write to inquire as to the timing of the betrothal announcement between yourself and my daughter, Lady Inga Oresta Tivala.

I thank you for the timely delivery of the signed and sealed marriage contract, and I look forward to an equally swift public declaration.

If you find, as monarch, that the plethora of distractions causes too long a delay, I would be honoured to assist you in removing them.

Your ever . . .

‘What?’ I shook my head, my thoughts a jumbled mess. I looked from the letter to Reynard, then and back again, trying to make sense of it.

The letter was dated two days before the kidnapping attempt at my home.

Tivala’s attack on my home, I could understand. But this —a whole betrothal? Worse . . . Rey didn’t even look surprised.

My chest tightened, threatening to rob me of breath. Reynard rushed over, arms outstretched, but I took a step back.

‘Were they all lies? Just pretty platitudes to get me to open my legs?’ My voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.

‘I know you need a queen, I’m not stupid.

But if you were already planning to marry someone, why sleep with me?

Was I meant to be your last little tumble before settling down?

Or’—my voice broke—‘should I expect an offer to be your dirty little secret?’

‘I didn’t plan anything,’ he said quickly, voice rough. ‘Please—let me explain.’

‘Explain?’ I snapped. ‘What, did you accidentally fall on the quill and sign your name before sneezing your seal onto the marriage contract?’

I clenched my jaw, squeezing my eyes shut so he couldn’t see how close I was to breaking. I knew this interlude would have ended eventually, but why did he bother pretending to care?

‘Roksana,’ Riordan cut in gently, ‘I can confirm Rey never wanted to marry another woman.’

His voice startled me—I’d forgotten he was still here. Heat flared in my cheeks. Having an audience for my humiliation made it worse.

‘Leave us, Ri,’ Reynard said without looking at him. ‘Please.’

The moment the door shut, Rey knelt before me.

‘This happened because of my complacency,’ he began.

‘Ruling Dagome has always been a balancing act. On one side, the people. The other, the nobles. And Tivala . . . well, that bastard’s the worst of them.

’ He exhaled sharply. ‘He sent a proposal months ago. A contract promising his support for my reforms— if I married his daughter. It was . . . politically sound. So I signed it.’

My jaw tightened.

‘But that was before I knew you,’ he said. ‘And even then, something about it felt off. So I locked it away. I should’ve burned it the day you walked into my life.’ His voice broke slightly. ‘But idiot that I am, I didn’t. I forgot. The gods as my witness, I forgot.’

He bowed his head, dragging both hands through his dark hair, frustration radiating off him in waves.

‘I’m not asking you to believe me without proof,’ he added. ‘That’s why I called for my scribe.’

He rose to his feet slowly, reaching out—but I took another step back, pretending not to see the desperation in his eyes.

‘Sana, look at me.’

His voice held weight, the kind that demanded to be heard. Against my better judgement, I met his gaze.