“Wait!” I screamed.
Renwell stepped up behind Asher and slit his throat.
Chapter 28
Kiera
A fountainof Asher’s blood splashed over my pants and boots as my scream echoed its last.
Renwell tossed his body aside, wiping his sunstone blade on Asher’s soiled clothes. There wasn’t a shred of emotion on his face. His dark eyes swept over me then returned to his king.
I felt empty. An emotionless husk. Not in the way of Renwell. But like my blood had spilled out with Asher’s. My skin cold as his would be. As if the Abyss had started to swallow my soul, piece by piece.
“Give the body to Korvin when we’re done.” My father’s words were like bees burrowing under my skin. “Tell him to send back the head, and he can keep the rest. A gift from his king.”
Bile surged up my throat, hot and acrid.
Gods damn your little weaknesses.
I clenched my teeth and swallowed it back.
Father smiled at me as if he knew exactly what I was trying to hide. “Tell me of this Aiden.”
You murdered his father. Stole his crown. Imprisoned him. He’s clever and good at Death and Four. He healed me and saved my life. He makes me laugh and feel desired. He tries to protect everyone and hates when he can’t.
He is a better man than you.
“He plans to kill you,” I said.
Renwell inhaled sharply, probably incensed I hadn’t told him first.
Father merely chuckled. “So, he’s a lunatic.”
I nearly laughed, remembering how I’d called Aiden something similar when I first met him. But Aiden was no madman or fool.
“How?” Renwell demanded.
Feeling a bit mad with carelessness myself, I shrugged. “He hasn’t told me yet. I was too busy convincing him to let me help.”
“What?” Father bellowed.
I sneered. “How else am I to learn his plans,Your Majesty? I wouldn’t be alive if he thought me less than loyal.”
Only the gods knew if that was a lie or the truth.
Father glared at me in a way that should’ve made me cower, but I felt nothing.
“Watch your tone,servant,” he said. “And find out where my gold is before it leaves the gods-damned city.”
“I thought you would be more concerned for your life,” I retorted.
“He would need an army to reach me here.” Father leaned forward. “Isthatwhat he’s buying with my gold?”
I hesitated. It was barely plausible. Where would he find enough trained fighters?
“Impossible,” Renwell said, echoing my thoughts. He narrowed his eyes at me. “Perhaps he’s buying his way into the palace.”
Gods damn it, that made more sense.
