Page 58 of To Save a Kingdom

One of the elves in the army could have brought it, but that was not a conversation to have in front of the guard.

She turned to the unfortunate messenger. “Thank you for this information. You’re dismissed, but wait outside. I’ll want you to show me where you found the bodies.”

The man looked like he was ready to collapse in relief. Maybe he’d thought she’d murder him herself for daring to report such an atrocity? The fact that she and Elessan were together was no secret. Perhaps he feared death for accusing the queen’s consort? Malkov would’ve killed the man for less, Aliya was certain. But she would be a different sort of monarch, and the only way she’d be able to convince the people of that was to give them time.

When the door closed behind the guard, she turned to Roland and Tsara. “Can we pick this conversation up later? Assuming, of course, you decide to honor the alliance we negotiated.” The one he had dramatically torn up in front of everyone and thrown in the bonfire. She met Tsara’s eyes for a heartbeat, then fixed Roland with her stare. “We can use all the allies we can get, but I’m not going to beg. Just know, I will remember those who stand with me when things get rough, and those who do not.”

It was almost the exact thing she’d said to Jalius less than an hour ago. Hopefully she could quit corralling her so-called friends and start working with them before her head exploded.

Chapter 23

Aliya

Aliya peeked down the cobweb-covered passageway from the safety of the door the guard held open for her. He was the same man who had informed her of the discovery. Her father, the former Baron Larimar, was already there, studying the scene. Somehow, he was always far too in-the-know for her liking.

“What happened?” Aliya asked him.

“Hmm.” He stood, brushing his palms on his pants. “Someone murdered Lord Macherall and three of his guards.”

Taking a few steps into the passage, she bent to study the footprints and drag marks in the dust covering the ground. Prior to today, this tunnel looked like it hadn’t been used in decades.

Aliya peeked over her shoulder at the guard. “Who found this?”

“I did,” her father answered.

She frowned. “But how?” Malkov wouldn’t have trusted her father with secrets such as this. Though her father had been a sycophant with the former king, she’d seen the flashes of disgust that flitted across Malkov’s face whenever his gaze passed over the baron. No, her ex-husband hadn’t thought highly of her father at all.

“Whoever killed them didn’t do a good job of disposing of the bodies. They left the door cracked open,” her father said. “I just happened to be walking by.”

Convenient. “And you didn’t think to keep it quiet?”

He turned his attention to her. “I thought to send a runner to inform you.” His eyes flicked over her shoulder to where she could feel Elessan standing, close enough the heat radiated from his chest. “In case you were in danger.”

She narrowed her eyes at the implication Elessan would ever harm her. But then, this was the man who’d sold her in marriage to Malkov, knowing full well Malkov intended to kill her for her magic, so his opinion on who was dangerous to her was worthless.

Instead, she crossed her arms and ignored the implied insult. “And what have you found?”

He grunted. “They were poisoned, likely with Faun’s Lock.”

No news there. “I’m surprised you were able to deduce the cause so quickly.” Especially when she hadn’t heard of the plant until today.

The baron’s lips pulled down as he narrowed his eyes. “What have I always told you? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right?”

She nodded. It was why he’d taught her the Elven language, after all.

“Faun’s Lock is one of their better-known poisons.”

Aliya fought to maintain her neutral expression. “If you say so.” But the way Elessan reacted back in the Council Chamber had her wondering if there was more to it than that. “Any concrete leads on who may have done it? Or are we still at the conjecture stage?” The time when it was apparently acceptable to hurl baseless accusations at Elessan because he’d been talking to the lord earlier and the murder weapon happened to be elven poison.

“Nothing quite yet, I’m afraid,” her father answered. “But I’m sure once I get the bodies to the alchemists, they’ll get this sorted out.”

Aliya blinked. She hadn’t realized she had access to alchemists, but that had been naive. She was the queen—her resources would extend to the whole of the realm and all its contents.

He turned back to the body but paused. “I did find this,” he said, pulling a glove from his pocket. “I assume it belonged to the perpetrator.”

Aliya took it. The fabric was crimson and black—Cerel colors, and made of a stretchy material she’d never seen. It was designed to fit anyone. They wouldn’t be able to use it to narrow down the suspects.

“Please keep me informed.” Handing it back to him, she spun, nodding for Elessan to precede her before glancing over her shoulder. “The dead guards, what are their names?” She should make a point to inform their families personally, as a show of appreciation and respect for their service.