“The door guarded by armed soldiers?” He seemed amused. “I’d quite like to see you try.”
“You think I won’t?” I crossed my arms Maddox-style. “I have ways of taming even the most intimidating and snarly of men. Turning lions into kittens. Just give me one hour, an oven, and access to the pantry, and I’ll soon be the new lord of this castle.”
His amusement grew, causing a—super hot, damn him—crooked smile. “How about we make a deal?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m listening.”
“I’ll consider allowing your lovers into my realm.” He held up a finger, the stone in his ring matching his eyes. “In exchange for the truth.”
“The truth?” I asked. “About what?”
“Why Nocturne is after you.” The veil from last night passed over his face again despite his smirk. “I believe you were honest about your blood being part of the reason. You’re too dreadful of a liar. However, I sense there’s more you’re not saying.”
A fresh wave of anxiety prickled at my ribs. “You’re right. I haven’t told you everything.”
“Go on.” His expression shadowed even further.
“If I tell you, you’ll welcome my men here. All of them, my knights included. Otherwise, no deal.”
“You’re awfully demanding for someone with little leverage.”
“The truth is my leverage.” I steeled my nerves, refusing to think about how horrible this could turn out. “Agree to my terms, or I’m walking out that door.”
Onyx stared at me in that dissecting way of his. Like he was peering right into my damn soul. “Interesting. I detect full sincerity. You would leave the safety of my realm, possibly walking straight to your death… just to save them?”
I nodded.
“What makes you believe I’d care whether you stayed or left?”
“Your curiosity,” I said, a lot more confident than I felt. “Last night you said you’d unravel the mystery of me piece by piece. The moment I walk out that door, I take all those answers with me.”
He seemed impressed. “And if I refuse this deal and choose to throw you into a cell instead?”
“Then I’ll take a vow of silence, and you’ll never solve the mystery.”
“You? Silent?” That earlier smile returned.
Lake softly coughed, and I bumped his side.
“Very well.” Onyx glanced between us before nodding. “I accept your terms. Now, speak. My patience is wearing thin.”
Here goes nothing.
“Nocturne has targeted me before,” I said. “When I was a baby. My dad died protecting me. He fended them off while my mom took me and escaped. It’s why they’re after me now. The one who hired them realized I was still alive.”
“Because of your rare blood,” Onyx stated rather than questioned.
I nodded anyway.
“And you aren’t sure what makes it so rare?” he asked.
Uh oh. Was it okay to tell him about the “child of light and dark” thing? My gut said no. Not yet, anyway. Dodging the question was my best option.
“The only thing I know for sure is the person behind all of this.” I toyed with my hands, bustling with nervous energy. “King Silas.”
“King Silas?” Varys asked, brow scrunching. “Why would the king of Haran…” Shock flitted across his face. His sandy eyes appeared to see me in a new light, widening at the edges. “Tell me, boy. Who was your father?”
Onyx frowned at Varys before returning his gaze to me.
