“Why would my identity and the true history of our kingdom frighten you?” I asked.
“Because that’s the kind of information someone would kill to keep secret,” she said, staring at me as if that were my plan.
The truth tumbled from my lips. “I could never kill you.”
She searched my eyes in that way of hers. “Maybe not. But you would put me on a ship bound for a deserted island, right?”
I rubbed my jaw. I didn’t knowwhatto do with her. She was never supposed to have this information. I never wanted her to get this involved. I couldn’t let her leave now. But I also couldn’t risk my plan in her hands.
I didn’t trust anyone’s but mine.
“How about she stays with me?” Melaena offered tentatively. “She can live here and dance until... until...” She blanched, glancing between me and Kiera.
“Until Aiden kills the king,” Kiera finished for her in a flat voice. She fixed me with a hard stare. “That’s the plan, isn’t it? That’s the only thing that makes sense.” She shook her head and continued, almost to herself, “You hate Weylin. He murdered your father and stole your throne. He obliterated the People’s Council and put you in prison. The smuggling, the heist—it was all just a means to an end. Assassination.”
Melaena’s eyes widened, clearly shocked at how much Kiera knew.
But I was... relieved. Almost. That she understood why. But she didn’t have all the pieces.
“You’ll die,” she whispered. “They’ll kill you before you ever breach the palace.”
“Does the thought of my death sadden you?”
She hesitated, looking down at her fingers twisting in her lap. Then so quietly I wasn’t sure I heard her, “Yes.” Her head jerked up. “What of the royal family? My—my charges, the prince and princesses? Are you going to kill them as well?”
“You truly do care for them, don’t you?”
“Yes. They shouldn’t be executed for their father’s crimes.”
“I remember you said as much. That night at the tavern, playing Death and Four.”
She straightened in her chair, her gaze fierce. “I stand by it. They are good, kind people.”
“It’s strange to see such loyalty for people who didn’t try to save you from your cell.”
“Nothing can stop Weylin when he’s made up his mind,” she said harshly. “Surely you know that.” She rose and stalked toward me. “If your plans include the slaughter of innocents, then you’d better kill me now, because I will doeverythingto stop you.”
I inhaled her scent, honey and lilies, as I basked in the heat of her rage.
Gods, I wanted to yank her into my arms and crush my mouth to hers, taste all that sweet fury.
I leaned closer until we were nose to nose. “That isexactlywhat I wanted to hear,” I breathed.
Confusion rippled over her features.
“I have no plans to murder the royal children,” I said. “But the crown prince, Everett, does have a part to play.”
I watched a few more pieces thread together behind her eyes.
“You said you don’t want to be king. You’re going to put Everett on the throne.” The realization knocked her back a step.
“I’ve heard many counts of his good nature, yours included.”
“And mine,” Melaena added. “From what little I recall of him.”
Kiera paced the room, her brow furrowed.
I waited, my arms folded over my chest. So far, she’d proven herself true. An ally. But whatever she said next could seal her fate.
