Page 84 of To Save a Kingdom

Roland’s face was so funny-looking when it turned purple-red. She tucked the image aside for later, when she would laugh her socks off at it in private when Princess’ life wasn’t in danger.

Valek, she’d kill for a drink. The good stuff, not the watered-down crap that passed as elven wine with the humans.

Zadé speared the king with her glare. It would’a been better if she’d had a weapon to do it literally, but regicide was treason, and all. “If’n yeh don’t do somethin’ fast, the Inquisitor’s gunna get his hands on yer future wife, ‘n then all yer best-laid plans’ll fall into th’ moat.”

Roland growled in the back of his throat. “If Miss Larimar can’t keep herself safe, then she had no right to go charging at the Arcane Inquisitor as if she could.”

Zadé shook her head. Many a brave soldier had lost their lives to this man’s cowardice.

Zadé tilted her head as she studied the poor excuse for a king. Perhaps she should encourage Princess to marry him. Then, she’d arrange for him to have an unfortunate accident, leaving Aliya in charge. That would be the best outcome for both realms.

Aliya could become something of a black widow, what with all the kings she could wed then bump off, collecting their power for herself.

Zadé’s eyesight went blurry as she chewed over the idea. It’d be hard, convincing the sun elves to let a human, their sworn enemy, hold their throne. Especially with Tsara waiting in the wings. But Princess—other Princess, Aliya—wasn’t human. Perhaps she could shape-shift into an elf, and she could swear anyone who knew about her, like Roland’s inner circle, to secrecy.

Zadé eyed the rag-tag bunch of elven nobles, all crowded around the king. With their rumpled clothes and circles beneath their eyes, it was obvious they’d had little sleep and were worse off for it.

They didn’t do much to contribute to the betterment of elven society. Most were power-hungry leeches, just like Aliya’s nobility. Possibly she’d do Princess a solid and kill them all rather than forcing them to swear. Or, better yet, since that was more Elsan’s thing than hers, he could do it. After all, it would be the least he could do, after pulling that marriage stunt with Tsara.

Zadé shook her head. Communication was key. She had no idea what the idiotic mountain elf had been thinking, agreeing to something for the benefit of Princess’s kingdom without first talking to Aliya herself. She was a quality catch, and a queen besides. It was obvious to anyone the two of them loved each other. And now, here they were, engaged or married to other people.

Rolling her eyes, she brought her attention back to the present. Roland was staring at her.

“Sorry.” She winced. “What’d yeh say?”

The king’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I asked if you’d managed to gather any intel from the Inquisitor’s forces you located in the kitchens.”

She grimaced. Why was that important now, when he was leaving Princess out to dry? “They’re in th’ dungeons, if’n yeh want ta interrogate them.” Instead of helping his future wife like he promised.

Roland narrowed his eyes. “Isn’t that your job, General?”

Frowning, Zadé shook her head. “No. My job’s ta keep Prin—Queen Aliya and yer people alive. Maybe kill Brooks while I’m at it.”

Roland scowled. He was one of those males who didn’t like being told no. Typical noble.

Zadé’s focus shifted to Tsara. She hadn’t said anything since Zadé arrived. Usually, Tsara had all sorts of interesting things to say. “Yer awfully quiet.”

Tsara pouted, chewing the inside of her cheek.

Zadé glanced around, alarm flashing through her. “Hey, where’s Elsan?”

Tsara furrowed her brow. “Who?”

Rolling her eyes, Zadé exhaled through her nose. “Yer husband. Where’s he?”

Roland cleared his throat. “Somewhere safe until this is over.”

Zadé frowned. “‘Til what’s over?” After Brooks killed Princess? Because that was what was going to happen as soon as he figured out who’d infiltrated his little soiree.

Baron Whatever-his-name-was spoke, drawing Zadé’s attention. “When the Marriage Agreement is finalized and The Arcane Inquisitor is dealt with.”

Zadé snorted. Elsan probably lost his wits when he realized Roland refused to help Aliya like he promised. Knowing Elsan, they’d likely had to knock him out and drag him from the room. She bit back a harsh laugh. Tsara must’ve been pissed her husband cared more for Aliya than her.

Served the wench right.

Tsara’s eyes flashed silver, like she could read Zadé’s thoughts and all. It was fortunate mind reading wasn’t on the sun elf royals’ talent list. Otherwise, Roland might learn exactly how unpopular he was with his military leadership. A narcissist like him would never allow such a thing to stand. He’d tear the army apart from the top down.

But that was a problem for future Zadé. Now, she had to figure out a way to save Princess. Whatever she did would be a whole lot easier with someone like Elsan helping her. Aliya’s guards, too, since they were loyal to Aliya and all.