Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Shouldn’t it be easier now that I’ve gained Arcus’s trust?” I counter. “We were alone together today, Luthian. No guards. In the forest, at a faery bath. He went somewhere alone with me because he trusts me. We can use that to our advantage. And when I am queen—” I can make you my king.
I have no idea the thought was simmering in my mind until I nearly, disastrously, speak it.
“When you are queen, and you are discovered to have killed Arcus, you will be executed,” Luthian points out. “When you are the only person alone with him, his blood will be on your hands.”
He’s right. But I won’t admit it. “I was in a precarious position. How was I to say no to a king?”
Luthian’s shoulders slump. He presses a hand to his forehead. “Forgive me, Cenere. I did not think.”
“You didn’t think beyond using me as bait,” I finish for him.
His shame is visible in his defeated posture, in his silence. My own heart is heavy with it; I considered breaking our agreement, letting Luthian fail for my own ends.
I am a wicked woman. Faithless. As faithless as Arcus believes Luthian to be.
Finally, Luthian speaks. “This complicates things, but it doesn’t sink us. I need to think about next steps.”
“You don’t have much time,” I admit. “The king plans to announce our engagement. After that, he’ll banish you from court.”
Luthian shakes his head. “He won’t. You’re going to ask him to keep me here until the wedding. So that I will be properly humiliated.”
His mind works so quickly. Perhaps that’s why I’ve fallen in love with him. I admire him, and I’ve confused that admiration with romantic inclination.
“You’re more than capable of convincing him, I’m sure,” Luthian says, and steps toward me. He touches my cheek. “I shouldn’t have shouted at you. You’ve only done exactly what I wished you to. You simply did it too well.”
“I had a skillful teacher,” I say.
He smiles. “I’m sorry we fought. I sometimes forget that you have a stake in this, too. I become too focused on my own revenge.”
“Because you’ve been planning it for so long?” Long enough that he could grant a faery’s wish and wait for that wish to bloom into a sufficient tool. But I don’t ask. As much as I want to, I still can’t convince myself that particular truth won’t hurt me.
“Once your engagement is announced, we will have to work fast,” he says, dropping his hand and turning away to pace. “The date has already been set for his death. Now, it will have to change.”
Was that why he was with Firo, then? Did Luthian seduce the ambassador to the Court of Time and Destiny for that favor?
“When it does,” he goes on, “I might need you to carry out the deed, yourself.”
My stomach drops. I’d thought myself willing to do it, but when faced with it as a fated certainty it carried a much heavier weight. “Kill the king?”
“I vow to you; it will not be your head on the block. That, I’ve already assured.”
I believe him. Though I don’t think he loves me, I do trust the bargain we made. He promised I will be safe.
“In the meantime, I want you to turn your attention only to the king. You will not lie with anyone else unless he requests it. He must believe you are taken with him and him alone.” Luthian puts his hands on my shoulders. “I cannot stress how important this is.”
“I think I know how to manipulate Arcus.” I giggle a little. “In fact, that is what I call him. He loves to hear me say his name.”
There is a flash of jealousy that Luthian is not quick enough to repress. I revel in it.
“Good,” he says stiffly. “Even his last queen was not afforded that privilege. He must be truly infatuated with you.”
At least, I think, someone is.
* * * *
I go to Arcus the next morning, as promised. The sylphs allow me to enter his chambers freely, and I wonder if Luthian’s plan won’t simply be for me to stroll in with a knife. No one would stop me.
What does stop me is the sight of Kathras at his father’s dining table. His boots are propped on the tabletop, and he gives me a look of contempt when I enter.
“Your Highness,” I say, sinking into a curtsey.
He makes a disgusted noise. “No need to be so formal, mother.”
So, Arcus has informed his sons. I wonder how Cassan took the news, considering his bet with Luthian. In stride, I assume.
“Please, don’t call me that,” I say, lifting my chin. “Especially since—”
“Especially since I fucked you?” He sneers at me. “Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.”
“I know it won’t. I’ll be queen. And your father’s mate.”
Kathras sniffs. “Interesting order in that sentence, Your Majesty.”