The white-haired man gazed back, unblinking.
Enough of this.Playtime was done.
I used my right hand to rub across my mouth and griped, “Give mesomething, Caspian. You’re wasting my time with this Fae bullshit.”
My best assassin opened his mouth and inhaled a great breath, and then he detailed clearly, “Trust in your heir, Your Royal Highness. Everything she does is for our kingdom.Everything.”
Finally, we’re getting somewhere.
“So, she is confiding in you,” I remarked slowly, somewhat surprised. I leaned back and kicked my feet up onto my desk, relaxing into the cushion. Treading carefully in this discussion was necessary. “I’ll ask again. Has she spoken of King Athon?”
Caspian answered coolly, “And I’ve already answered that question.”
One step forward, two steps back.
“All right, let me ask you this.” I steepled my hands in front of my mouth and tapped my lips with my fingers in thought. “Do you believe her inexperience and youth are playing a part in her actions?”
This question took a long moment.
The man before me was quiet in thought.
I patiently waited for him to respond.
Eventually, a substantial sigh exited his lips. “I don’t believe anyone would be handling her duties better.” He rubbed his lips together. “It is…complicated.”
I’m sure it is.Wasn’t everything?
I asked a question I already knew the answer to, testing his own conclusion. “Is she in danger from King Athon?”
He answered evenly, “It would be foolish for the King of Shifters to harm your heir.” It was a pointed statement. “And he is not a foolish man.”
“No, he is not.” I tapped my fingers on my mouth again and then pushed a little further. “If I ordered you to kill King Athon, would you do it?”
A small smirk lifted his lips. “I already killed his father. Are you sure killing this king would be the correct course of action? He has no heir, after all. That would be crossing a line the royals have never tripped over.”
The assassin wouldn’t kill him if ordered.Interesting.
“Of course, you’re right.” I went quiet…waiting.
It didn’t take long, his tongue now loose.
Caspian uncrossed his legs and leaned forward to place his elbows on his knees, asking bluntly, “What is your plan for him?”
There it was. Right there.
Instead of answering, I simply smiled.
“Your Royal Highness, I hope I’ve been able to ease any worries you have,” he weaseled easily, backtracking quickly. “If you want me to watch him, I will. Whatever you need.”
I lowered my feet to the ground and mimicked his position, leaning forward to face him squarely. “What I want from you is your honesty, your trust that I can handle any situation to the best of my ability. Are you even capable of giving that when your loyalties lie outside of your king?” I cocked my head gradually, with my eyes never leaving his. “What is really happening with Princess Trixie and King Athon? I’m ordering you, as your sovereign, to tell me the plain truth on this matter. If you have forgotten, you are duty-bound to answer me.”
Caspian’s nostrils flared at the direct order.
My gaze didn’t flinch as I waited to be obeyed.
The assassin stood from his seat and started pacing back and forth before my desk. He began rubbing at the back of his neck with harsh fingers as he mumbled, “Your Royal Highness…” His chest rose and fell, and he froze in place. He turned and faced me, standing at attention. “Princess Trixie is protecting the crown.You.I choose to do the same.”
Fucking Fae.It was worse than I thought.
