“We’re here to inquire why your army didn’t show up at our camp this morning.”
Leone set his napkin on the table as his brows knitted together. “What do you mean?”
“Your army never showed up to our camp.”
“That’s impossible. Captain Hale set out with them this morning, I saw them off myself.”
Uneasiness curled in my gut. Either King Leone was a hell of a good liar, or Bergan Hale was a bigger snake than we anticipated.
“How much do you trust Captain Hale?”
Viona slid deeper into her chair as Leone opened and closed his mouth. I released my sword from its sheath. “Answer my fucking question.”
The guards in the room stood at attention, their hands going to their weapons. “I am your High Queen,” I reminded the room.
“I—I trust Bergan greatly.”
“But he often takes control when he shouldn’t.” Queen Viona’s voice was stronger than I anticipated. She stood, staying by her chair as all attention turned to her. “Sometimes you would think he is king, not Leone.”
Her eyes met mine, there was a glimmer of fear, of hesitancy in her voice, but she stood tall.
“So it would not be uncharacteristic of him to lead an attack on my people instead of coming to aid us in this war?”
“No.” Leone braced his hand on the back of his chair. “He wouldn’t.”
“You know he would, Leone.” Viona fisted her napkin in her hand.
“I can confirm, the bastard fucking would.” Luka’s voice rang out in the silent room. “Imagine my surprise when a commander came to tell me the Twilight Court army had arrived, but not to aid us, but were fightingagainstus. CaptainDeclanHale sent us here, to sort out thismiscommunicationwhile he continues to lead our army in a battle against yours.”
“I am sorry Your Majesties, I had no idea.” Panic took over Leone’s face as the words stumbled out. “I swear I had no idea.”
“I wish I could believe you, I really wish I could.” I putmy sword back in its sheath. “But you must understand, Leone, we were betrayed by your court, I’m not at liberty to take any more chances while your army is killing my people.” Leone’s hands trembled, but he nodded.
“Take him to the dungeon.” Leone fell to his knees, mumbling incoherently as he stared at the ground. “You will receive a fair trial after this war is over. I promise you that.” I slid my gaze to Viona. “You, however, have not given me a reason not to trust you. I appreciate your honesty. Can I entrust you to watch over the Twilight Court while your husband is indisposed?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”
“Don’t make me regret it.” I didn’t think I would. I saw it in her the first moment I laid eyes on her. She was nothing but a decoration at her husband’s side, she had no power, no voice, no say here. I wanted to see what would happen when she was given the opportunity to have all those things.
Would she crumble or would she soar?
King Leone still knelt at our feet, mumbling to himself as he wrung his hands.
“Why are you not taking him?” Did no one in this court know how to take direction?
I looked around at the guards lining the room. “Any time now.” Finally, they moved into action, unsheathing their swords as they made their way to Leone.
“Lennox.” Luka removed his sword from its sheath, its whine echoing in the dining room.
I gripped the pommel of my blade as the guards circled closer.
Their eyes weren’t on Leone; they were on us.
We had walked into another fucking trap. Of course we had.
I met Luka’s gaze out of the corner of my eye. “Time to shed some more blood, Sweetheart.” He threw me a wink and I jumped into action.
My blade met the first guard’s chest before she could even raise her sword.
