“I’ll have every guard re-vetted,” Father said, slamming his fist on his armrest. “Anyone who doesn’t pass will be fed to Korvin while the others watch.”
Ah yes, your favorite punishment, Father.
He studied me beneath furrowed brows. “Or you simply tell me where this street scum is hiding, and I’ll send Renwell and his Wolves after him.”
The first spark of fear flickered back to life. “No.”
“No?”
I rushed on, “We don’t know how far this conspiracy goes or who else is involved. You could have countless traitors within your ranks. Your gold might find its way into any number of pockets in Aquinon or beyond.” I took a deep breath. “You need me on the inside to learn all his secrets.”
“I agree, Your Majesty,” Renwell added swiftly. “It will win you no favor to burn the city to the ground looking for your gold. Some might say it hints of incompetence.”
Father’s face twisted. “Are you one of those people, Renwell?”
“Never, Your Majesty. I’m thinking only of what’s best for the most powerful king in Lancora. You must retain power by showing no weakness.”
“I have no weaknesses,” Father snarled. His gaze pierced me. “Report to Renwell the moment you find any useful information. If you haven’t found every stolen coin and every traitor in this conspiracy in a month’s time, I will do so by fire and blade. And you, little nameless one, will suffer the fate of those who fail me.” He nodded to the crimson puddle that surrounded Asher’s body.
Scars under and over my skin seemed to pulse with warning.
I said nothing. No placating words. No groveling promises. I was caught between two men who wanted each other dead. There was only one way this game ended. Death always won, after all. But whose would it be?
I could make that choice with a few words. But not tonight.
“Leave.” His last command finally freed my muscles.
I walked out of the throne room, my spine straight, my chin lifted, ignoring the squeak of blood under my boots.
Instead of leaving the palace, I turned and walked down the hall toward my old room.
A fist closed around my shoulder and whirled me around.
Renwell. Of course.
Anger cracked through the shell that had shielded me in the throne room. I knocked his hand away.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” he growled, his eyes darting to the guards at the far end of the hall.
“Afraid you’ll be my executioner as well?” I snapped.
“It won’t come to that,” he said, as if the decision were up to him. “But if there’s something else you need to tell me, do it now. Let me help you.”
I stared at him. My mentor.
He could’ve warned me what I was walking into. He could’ve defended Asher, saying the game was rigged against him. But he did nothing but murder a decent man and let my father threaten me.
Why should I tell him my secrets when I knew he was keeping his own? He’d said nothing to my father about the heist untilafterit happened. He made no mention of Garyth or the People’s Council. Renwell played his own game, and I didn’t want to be part of it.
I shook my head and gestured to my stained clothing. “I have pants to change, and you have a body to mutilate—forgive me—togift.”
I spun on my heel and charged away from him, something I’d never dared to do. He didn’t come after me.
I tried to open my door. Locked. And I’d given up the key.
Fucking Four! Why? Why can I do nothing right?
Yanking the hairpin out of my braid, I shoved it in the lock. It took me twice as long to pick it with my trembling fingers and blurred vision.
