Page 38 of Kingdom Of Veil And Vow

The doors shut with a quiet click. What business does King Dolian have with the queen of the sirens?

“Something curious happened last night, Xander,” Simon says as he turns to face me, dark eyes scouring my face.

“And what is that, Simon?”

He grins. “As you know, we have two quite important guests in the dungeon at present.”

“We have prisoners in the dungeon,” I grit out, pretending to be unaffected by his casual mention of them.

“Are they truly prisoners if they are being pampered?” He waits for me to respond, to add to his musings with a confirmation that I’ve been sending meals for both prisoners. Shit. I can explain why Bella is getting them. I can’t do the same for Immie. Not without admitting that I allowed Bella to use it as a bargaining chip. Simon’s lips pull wider, and I suppress the shiver that wants to break free at the sight. “Starving someone is one of the easiest ways to weaken their defenses—physically, yes, but mentally as well. It makes it far easier to break them.”

“Your reputation for breaking precedes you. Though I’m not sure I would advertise that your talent in extracting information comes down to merely starving prisoners.” It’s a taunt, one I hope he takes the bait for. Bella may have pushed my patience to the point of fraying on more than one occasion, but she doesn’t deserve a visit from this asshole.

“I said it makes it easier to break them. Not that I relied on it solely,” he sneers as he begins to pace around me, the other guards watching our interaction. “I did, however, learn something fascinating during my visit there last night.”

Jaw tight, I fold my arms over my chest. “I was under the impression that the shifter was mine alone to interrogate,” I say, hiding my concern with forced petty jealousy. “Did the king change those orders?”

“He has not,” Simon answers, pivoting on his heel to stop directly in front of me. Hands drawn behind him, he rolls his shoulders back, lifting his chin to hold my gaze. “I assure you, I respect the king’s choice to put you at the helm of figuring out what the shifter female knows. Though you should know that your lack of progress has resulted in the king showing Jerrick’s candidate more favorable attention. Despite Alden’s display in the pit.”

Miles snickers as he adjusts his weight, hands bracketing his hips.

That explains why the asshole is here.

“My business was with Imelda from Celatum. It is interesting what someone will tell you when they want you to stop tormenting them. What secrets spill from their lips when they dangle on the edge of death.”

Fear settles deep in my gut, twisting my stomach sharply. What exactly had Immie told him?

“Remember, Xander, the king has eyes and ears everywhere. Don’t be foolish enough to think anything gets past His Majesty.” A lingering pause, heavy with insinuation, and then, “Or past me.”

One half of the double doors opens, Simon throwing one last cunning glance my way before stepping to the side and bowing to the king. I follow suit, the other guards lining up to do the same. King Dolian strides out, his mouth tense and forehead creased. “Simon, a word.”

The two step away from the group, once more talking low. Miles’s presence stops me from attempting to follow.

“That shifter is a pretty creature, isn’t she?” he asks. Anger surges within me, settling in my chest as I watch the king and Simon get farther away. Fucking asshole. “Almost broke her in myself last night while Simon worked but ran out of time.”

My eyes snap to him as I register what he’s said. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t worry, Xander, I won’t step on what is yours. I’m simply asking for a turn before she is sent to the gallows or whatever final plans His Majesty has for her.” He holds his hand out between us, pink scars that look like puncture wounds marring the skin. “I am owed, after all.”

I should walk away. She is a means to an end, a body of information I need to keep my people safe and nothing more. Yet those words ring hollow in my head, and I betray my carefully crafted composure when I take a single step in Miles’s direction, forcing him to arch his neck to hold my gaze. “She is my prisoner.”

The bastard smiles, and my hand settles not at the hilt of my sword but over the dagger strapped to my thigh.

“Trusted, you will accompany me into Vitour,” King Dolian calls from where he and Simon stand a few yards away. Miles takes a step back, offering a mocking dip of his chin before he turns to stride towards the king. I go to follow but am stopped when the king holds his hand up in my direction.

“You’re running out of time, Xander,” he says, hazel eyes locked on to mine, “and my patience grows thin. Get the shifter to talk, or I will relieve you of your duties as a Trusted.”

King Dolian’s threat lingers in my mind as I wait for them to move out of sight before I immediately head for the dungeon. Between his words and Simon’s attention on the prisoners, unease sticks heavy to me. Simon’s reputation is well earned, and Bella… She cares for Immie. Gods, if she knows what Simon did, this is going to hurt her. I misstep at the thought. I can’t afford to care about what does and doesn’t hurt her. Focus. I need to focus on the task at hand. On the end goal.

I’m nearly at the dungeon entrance when my name is called in a curt whisper. Turning, I find Alden waiting in the shadows of an alcove. I adjust course, staring him down until I’m at his side. “What are you doing here?” I ask, no shortage of annoyance in my tone. “You don’t work in this wing.”

“I wanted an update on the meeting,” he says, folding his arms in front of him. “Since I wasn’t allowed to attend.”

“You know I don’t talk business in the open.” Stepping out of the alcove, I’m halted when he wraps his hand around my arm. Surprise flares, my patience already well beyond the point of unraveling.

“Am I supposed to feel guilty for what happened to Theo? You saw him limping in that pit. He would have had to drop out anyway. If anything, I saved him from the embarrassment of doing so.”

Gripping his wrist, I pull it from me and spin Alden around, forcing his chest into the stone wall. With his arm now viciously twisted behind him, he grunts in pain, attempting to jerk out of my hold. “Don’t act like you’re some kind of fucking saint,” I grit out, keeping my voice low and near his ear, “and admit what you did. You murdered him for no one’s benefit but your own.” I release him with a shove, waiting until he turns around, his cheeks red with anger. “I will find you when I have information about the final trial. Until then, don’t approach me again.”