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An act of mercy. That was what it had been. But from the look in the king’s eyes, it would still weigh upon his soul.
“Hang her up,” Serin ordered, and Keris pressed his hands to his thighs to keep them from fisting, forcing himself to watch as the men dragged the dead girl over to the wall, leaving streaks of crimson in their wake. One of the soldiers above dropped a rope, which they fastened around her neck, the trio hauling her up until she dangled out of reach from one of the cornices, the blood dripping from her foot splattering against the green of the lawn. A wave of dizziness ran through Keris, old and painful memories rising to the forefront of his thoughts at the sight.
Then Serin said, “Bring out the other two prisoners.”
Enough.He’d watch no more of this.
Crossing his arms, Keris snapped, “Good God, Serin! Don’t you have holes and dark places where you conduct this sort of business? What’s next? Beheadings at the dinner table?”
Displeasure rose on the spymaster’s face at the sight of him, but that didn’t stop Keris from picking his way closer, avoiding the splatters of blood on the path.
“Your Highness.” Serin gave a slight bow. “You are supposed to be in Nerastis.”
As though the bastard hadn’t known Keris was coming. And whom he had with him. “Yes, well, we captured ourselves quite a prize. It seemed prudent that I ensure she arrive in one piece. Broken things make for less valuable leverage.”
Serin’s gaze went past Keris, his bushy grey eyebrows rising in recognition, his shock masterfully feigned. “General Zarrah Anaphora, the Empress’s niece. You’ve outdone yourself, Highness. You’ll be in your father’s favor.”
“I doubt that.”
Serin’s eyes gleamed in unspoken agreement. “Now that you’ve delivered her, I assume you’ll be returning to Nerastis immediately.”
Ignoring the statement, Keris pushed his hair behind one ear, focusing on the king, who remained kneeling on the ground. He was both tall and broad, the heavy muscles of his arms visible even through his clothes. As formidable as was rumored, and rather obnoxiously good-looking. “Is this the Ithicanian king, then? I must say, he’s less terrifying than I anticipated. I’m rather disappointed to see that he does not, in fact, have horns.”
“Theformerking. Ithicana no longer exists.”
Keris glanced at the corpse hanging from the wall, this performance suggesting a rather different truth than the one the Magpie offered. Suggesting that both Ithicana and its king remained very much a problem. But involving himself in it was not something Keris could afford to do. “My mistake. Do carry on.”
Stepping past the Ithicanian, Keris started in the direction of the tower, but the sound of Valcotta’s voice stopped him. Turning, he found her on her knees before the king.
“I am sorry, Your Grace.” Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “For all that you have lost. And for the part I played in that coming to pass. I pray one day to have the opportunity to atone.”
What was she talking about?
Before Valcotta could say more, one of the soldiers dragged her upright, snarling, “The only thing you should be praying for is that His Majesty chooses not to spike your head on Vencia’s gate, you Valcottan wretch!”
Valcotta spit in the man’s face, but as he lifted his hand to strike her, Keris snapped, “Have you forgotten the fate of the last man who struck my prize?”
It disgusted him to refer to her in such a manner, but fear was the only way he could protect her right now.
Blanching, the soldier muttered to Zarrah, “Move along.” But beyond them, Keris didn’t miss the way Serin’s brow furrowed with interest at the reaction. And garnering Serin’s interest was the last thing he needed.
Play your part. Be who he expects you to be.With the thought in his head, Keris continued toward the tower, but called back over his shoulder, “Make sure you clean up your mess, Magpie.” And then he stepped inside, readying himself to face his true opponent.
38
ZARRAH
Zarrah’s pulse thrummed as she was pulled away from the Ithicanian king, her stomach a twist of emotion, the first and foremost guilt.
She knew what had happened in Ithicana after the invasion. Had heard stories of the slaughter enacted by Maridrinian hands. But there was a difference between hearing stories of suffering and seeing it with her own eyes.
You are complicit,her guilt whispered as she followed Keris up the seemingly endless stairs to the top of the tower.That girl’s torture at the Magpie’s hands? Her death? The look in the king’s eyes? All burdens you must share.
Her mind drifted, remembering the moment she’d watched the Maridrinian navy sail past her fleet to attack Ithicana, struggling to understand the choice she’d made. Found herself certain, if presented with a similar circumstance, that she’d walk a far different path. And her eyes went to Keris, convinced that for better or worse, it was knowing him that had changed her.
She would atone for the mistakes of her past. Not just for the sake of her honor but for the sake of herself. And she’d do it by killing Silas Veliant.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Keris paused, waiting while one of the guards stepped inside the chamber, the other glowering at her with undisguised hatred. As had every Maridrinian who’d laid eyes upon her since her arrival.
