Page 54 of Queen of War and Ruin

“It’s a much bigger problem,” I snap, “that I am already married, and my husband is right here, staying with me under your roof!”

Laurance shakes his head. “Oh, that’s not a problem at all,” he says. “Accidents happen all the time. He could fall from a horse, or trip down the stairs, or⁠—”

I stop listening. The world grows quiet, and suddenly, I’m very cold and very calm.

“Do not threaten my husband,” I say in a low, even voice.

My hand drops to my dress and slides between the folds to my pocket. The pocket I cut a hole in this morning, after pulling the dress over my head.

“The messengers from Vsenrog said the snake died in the mountains,” Laurance says, continuing like he didn’t hear me. “What’s the harm if we just make that true? As long as you’re not knocked up, there’s no problem.”

The pommel of Zarek’s dagger is warm against my palm. I wrap my fingers around it, then pull it from its sheath. With my other hand, I reach forward and grab the ruff of lace around Laurance’s neck.

“Whoa!” he cries. “I see you’re excited, but⁠—”

I raise the dagger. His eyes go wide. The prince of Ethiria finally shuts up.

“Laurance,” I say, in a voice so low it’s almost a whisper. “I am already married.”

I bring the edge of the blade to his throat. He swallows hard.

“O-Okay,” he stammers.

“I will never marry you,” I promise. “And, if any harm comes to my husband, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”

He stammers something. I lean even closer, so I can whisper in his ear.

“Princes bleed like everyone else,” I tell him. “I should know.”

I lean back, leaving the blade resting against his throat, just above the stupid lace ruff on his collar.

“Do I make myself clear?” I ask.

He nods, and I let go of his shirt. He stumbles backward, gasping like a fish on a hook, his eyes wide and his face very pale. We stare at each other across the smooth stone patio where we were supposed to be married.

“You—” he finally spits. “You crazy bitch!”

I slide the dagger back into its sheath and cross my arms over my chest. I’ve traveled too far and seen too much to be intimidated by this spoiled little brat. Laurance wipes his mouth, then runs his hand over his neck, like he’s making sure I didn’t slit his throat without him noticing.

“Thank the gods I didn’t have to marry you,” he snaps.

“I wholeheartedly agree,” I tell him as he turns to run back into his castle.

Chapter 30

Lilias

SOMETHING THEY WANT

Ifollow him.

I know I shouldn’t, that it’s dangerous enough to make a prince angry, let alone to track him through his castle, but I have too many questions that need answering. Besides, I doubt he’ll notice me.

I stand in the porch’s wide, elegant doorway as Laurance stalks down the hall and throws open a door on the far side. He walks into the northern wing of the castle, rooms that would be used for storage in Marion. I assumed they were used for storage here too, but that was before Gerard found Vsenrog bridles in Ethiria’s stables.

I follow Laurance, moving quickly, trying to look vaguely lost in case anyone stops me. The door he stalked through opens into a grand antechamber, larger and more luxurious than the one that greeted us at the castle’s entrance. My breath catches in the back of my throat as I realize Zarek was right. The northern side of Ethiria’s castle is definitely not used for storage.

“Fine,” a voice snaps. “You were right.”