AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Lucia,” the King warned.
She pursed her lips.
“I don’t know how it happened,” I said.
“I want answers!” the King barked.
“Yeah? Get in line. You’re not the one who had to fight for your life down there because someone mistook you for a murderer.”
The King narrowed his eyes.
“Are you going to let her talk to you like that?” Lucia asked.
The King only glared at his betrothed to silence her this time before he turned his gaze back to me.
He was mistrusting. He didn’t believe me. What was I supposed to do,showhim I didn’t have any magic? The fact that I couldn’t show him any magic was exactly the point. I glanced at Lucia. She was unhappy he’d scolded her. But she was the submissive future queen, silent and ready to back her betrothed.
“My father is dead,” King Rainier said with words filled with sorrow.
Once again, pain and sadness blossomed in my chest. I didn’t know what to say. Everyone knew, but telling him that seemed harsh, even for me. His sadness stopped me.
“And you didn’t kill him,” King Rainier added. He curled his fingers around the armrest, his thumb drawing circles on the velvet padding. His left foot bounced lightly. His gaze was hard, but his eyes filled with uncertainty.
I shook my head. “I wouldn’t know how.”
The King raised his eyebrows. “I find that hard to believe. It looks like you’re quite the fighter.”
“When it’s a matter of life and death, I’m going to fight. Was I supposed to sit back and let that thing eat me?”
Dex nodded next to me. I quirked a brow, surprised he agreed with me.
King Rainier regarded his warrior, his eyes thoughtful.
“Take her away,” he finally said, waving his hand in the air.
Dex yanked me to my feet.
“What?” I cried out. “You’re not letting me go?” Dex started dragging me away. “I didn’t do anything! You can’t do this to me!” I fought the hand that wrapped around my arm like a manacle.
“Wait,” King Rainier said. Dex stopped dragging me away, and I turned to face the King. “Do you presume to tell me what I can and can’t do?”
“You falsely accused me of being a murderer, refused to let me plead my case, and forced a punishment I didn’t deserve upon me. I proved myself by killing that thing, and now you’re justdiscardingme?”
Lucia gasped. “How dare you speak to your king like that! My love, I demand that you—”
King Rainier lifted his hand, silencing her. She bristled but snapped her mouth shut again.
“You’re not the queen yet,” he said in a cool voice. “I’ll punish her as I see fit.”
Lucia sawed her jaw open and shut, searching for words that didn’t come. Her cheeks flushed scarlet, and her eyes filled with rage. King Rainier didn’t seem too worried about her reaction. He turned his attention back to me.
“What is it you think I should do?” he asked.
“You’re askingme?” I asked, surprised.
“You’re the one pointing out how unfair I am.”
Amusement filled his voice, although his eyes were still frozen. A new sensation filled me—an unexpected warmth coming from the King that had ordered me killed earlier.
