Page 73 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

‘The night you came into my room,’ he said quietly, ‘and told me that wild story about a woman on the run who had made a mistake and blinded me, but never wanted to hurt me . . . It sounded so farfetched. But even then— even then —some part of me believed you.’

His voice softened to a whisper. ‘Isn’t there any part of you that believes me ?’

‘There is, but . . .’

I was suddenly engulfed in Rey’s embrace. I bit my lip, desperate to hold back my tears.

‘Then please,’ he murmured, his voice raw, ‘give me a chance to find out what happened and fix it.’ He held me so tightly, it felt like he was scared I’d disappear into thin air.

‘Will it change anything?’ I whispered. ‘The contract’s still in Tivala’s hands.’

Part of me wanted to believe him, needed to believe him, but having my worst fears realised made it so, so difficult.

A signed and sealed marriage contract was nearly as binding as a blood oath. Even a marriage itself was easier to dissolve than the promise often used to end wars and bring prosperity to the land. Breaking one didn’t just ostracise you. It marked you. Oathbreaker.

And even kings weren’t immune.

I didn’t want to be the reason Reynard wore that stain.

The next half hour was the longest of my life. It didn’t matter how I looked at the situation—Reynard had no choice but to marry this woman or risk all the nobles rallying against him . . .

Unless the contract vanished before it became public knowledge. My fists tightened as I watched the king pace the room, responsibility weighing down his shoulders.

He is mine to protect. Mine. And I won’t give him up, not like this.

At last the scribe arrived, breathless and red-faced, only to go pale the moment he caught sight of Reynard’s thunderous expression.

A sombre-looking Riordan entered behind him, positioning himself close to the doors as he traced the truthseeker sigil.

Our eyes met, and he gave a small nod. He would get the truth out of the scribe, even if it meant dissecting every though the young man had.

‘M-my king—what happened? What can I do?’ the scribe stammered, his high-pitched voice frantic.

‘Did you seal and send a signed marriage contract to Duke Tivala?’ Reynard asked calmly, but even I felt the weight of his words.

‘ No , sire!’ The scribe’s fear and confusion were so evident that Rey cursed, but it only made the poor boy stutter more.

‘I-I beg your forgiveness. I’m still learning.

If you tell me where it is, I’ll send it immediately.

I’m s-so sorry. My predecessor left without warning, and he didn’t explain everything, and I-I should’ve asked for a list, I know, I know—’

I blinked. Still learning?

What predecessor . . .?

‘When did you start in this role?’ I asked quietly.

The scribe turned to me, trembling under the king’s stare. ‘My lady, I w-was promoted t-two days after you tried . . . when t-they said . . . when you c-came to t-the palace.’ He was practically vibrating with nerves, and I knew the truthseeker spell was difficult to deal with.

Riordan nodded. ‘He’s telling the truth. He hasn’t sent anything—hasn’t even seen the contract. Looks like Roksana’s arrival forced our little spy to cut and run back south . . . with a gift for his master.’

I groaned, thumping my forehead with my fist. ‘That’s it! I think I know what happened.’ The memory of my night in the cell flashed in my mind’s eye. ‘Jagon’s accomplice—the southerner boasted about having the king’s seal and scolded my old master for acting against the king.’

Reynard frowned.

‘Why kill the king,’ I said dryly, ‘when you can just marry him off? Rey . . . your previous scribe, I’m sorry I didn’t think of it earlier.’

He nodded grimly. ‘I suspected something when he left so suddenly, but—’ He turned to the scribe. ‘You may go. Not a word about anything you heard today. Return to the palace and draft letters to all the garrison commanders. They are to prepare for war.’

The scribe bowed so fast he nearly stumbled, bolting like demons were snapping at his heels.

Once the door clicked shut and only the three of us remained, Reynard turned to Riordan.

‘Postpone the ball until Gromnitsa, 1 two months from now. The celebration of Makosh on the Day of Thunder is the perfect moment to reveal that Sana is my chosen. M?ot’s insane actions have given us the perfect excuse for the delay,’ he said, placing a steady hand on the mage’s shoulder.

‘I know you never wanted this, but in the face of war, I have to appoint a regent . . .’

‘The old nobles won’t like it,’ Riordan warned.

‘They’ll suck it up,’ the king said with a snort. ‘Unless they’d prefer chaos in the kingdom and their daughters dancing on the front lines. Don’t worry, Ri, I’ll return—but while I’m away, I need someone I trust here.’

Rey walked towards me.

‘It’s all just pretence, my light. I need to keep Tivala guessing while I fight M?ot.’ His hand brushed my cheek, his gaze searching mine for understanding. And I did understand, all too well.

If Tivala revealed the agreement and Reynard refused to accept it, the nobles would overthrow him. Not even the threat of the dwarven axemen infantry could hold the kingdom if the aristocracy branded him an oathbreaker.

‘I know,’ I whispered, kissing the inside of his palm and leaning into his touch. ‘What do you need me to do?’

I knew what I had to do. I had to retrieve that damn contract and burn it before it caused more problems, but that wasn’t something I wanted Rey to know—at least not yet.

Riordan’s head whipped around in my direction, and I immediately shielded my thoughts.

The mage sighed, his shoulders drooping, before he slipped out of the room, leaving us alone.

‘Stay safe, my light. Learn your magic and wait for me,’ Rey murmured, pulling me into his arms. A gentle tremor ran through his body, a silent sign of the pressure he was under, before he whispered, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, ‘How do you feel? Please tell me you trust me. I need to hear it, Sanika. I can’t go to war worrying I’ve left only ashes of my woman’s heart. ’

I exhaled through a tangled knot of emotion. ‘Right now? I feel a whole lot of worry and a healthy dose of anger. But yes, Kingling. I trust you. How could I not? You’ve seen the worst of me—and still had the courage to bed me,’ I teased, trying to relieve the tension.

Reynard smiled, tenderness crinkling the corner of his eyes when he took my palm and brought it to his lips. ‘Maybe I should add a viper to my banner. As a reminder to our temperamental neighbour that I have a very personal grudge against him.’

I rolled my eyes. ‘Like he’d know what it means.’ Then casually, as if it meant nothing: ‘Before you leave, could you grant me free entrance to the palace and permission to attend Privy Council meetings? I don’t want to have to sneak around every time I want to talk to Riordan.’

Rey narrowed his eye but eventually nodded.

‘I trust you won’t do anything to put yourself at risk. Whatever’s on your mind—and I know there’s something—’ he said, tapping my nose, ‘please wait to act until you hear from me. I may need your help in Wiosna . . . And as much as it pains me to ask, please bring Tova with you.’

I could almost see those invisible gears turning in Reynard’s head.

‘Fine, I’ll wait . . .’ I sighed. ‘Just don’t cosy up with any other assassins while you’re away.’

He laughed, then lifted me into his arms, sealing my lips with a kiss.

‘I mean it, Viper,’ he whispered, breath brushing my lips. ‘I can’t fight if I’m worried about you being involved in anything dangerous . . . I love you, Sanika.’

My heart skipped a beat at hearing those quiet words spoken with tenderness and reverence. This man, my berserker, had seen past the pain I’d caused him and still offered me his heart.

But I couldn’t be honest with him. Not yet. Not if I wanted to help him.

I smiled, resting my head against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding me as I made my silent vow.

I needed Jagon to get into Tivala’s home, and I’d force my former master to help—even if it cost me my soul.

Because the man holding me in his arms was worth everything.

He might be the War King of Dagome, and I might not be able to be his wife or his queen, but nothing would stop me from being the King’s Shadow.