Page 130 of Merciless Is My Crown

“Well. I have to say, I didn’t believe my men when they’d said they’d spotted you.” Crux appeared from the shadows to box us in, along with a full patrol of his men. “I had to come see for myself.”

One glance behind us showed the narrow road blocked by three lines of soldiers, swords ready to skewer us should we decide to make a run for it.

Tavion pressed against me, one arm wrapped around my waist, his body taut, but his chin lifted high as he surveyed Crux with a sneer. “Well, look, my love. We have a welcoming party. Perhaps Crux has run out of people to murder and is here to hand us the key to the city.”

I didn’t think I’d ever loved my husband more than right now.

“You must be perfectly mad to come back here,” Crux murmured, his eyes glimmering with doubt and suspicion. “In fact, I’ve been asking myself…why come back at all?”

“Why shouldn’t I return home? I did what my father and his armies couldn’t.” I threw back the hood of my cloak, and the battle-hardened Fae males behind Crux paled. “I got rid of Carex. The king should be thanking me. Or rewarding me. Think of all the gilder I’ve saved him.”

“Thanking you?” Crux chuckled as if he’d said something hilarious. “Sure. The king has a celebration ceremony all ready and waiting for the two of you. To thank you both.”

“Gods, a party sounds amazing. I cannot wait.” I grinned. “Are you here to escort us to this celebratory event? I suppose we should be honored.”

Tavion pinched my side. Okay, so maybe I was laying it on a bit too thick, but Crux wasn’t the brightest bulb, and I really, really owed him for taking advantage of Ember, even if she was possessed by a Reaper.

“Hold out your hands or this will get messy.” Crux motioned a guard forward, who was holding a set of metal shackles. They stank, reeking of iron and something even worse, making every cell in my body recoil in horror.

“Go ahead, Anaria,” Tavion urged softly as he presented his hands in front of him. I copied his stance, my hands clenched tightly enough Crux grinned.

“They’re only Paelonius iron.” Like the bands around your arms, Tavion didn’t say, but then it was too late for me to tell him they were something worse because they were clamped around my wrists.

Tavion shuddered, his horror-filled eyes flicking to mine as he realized there was some other dark magic in these shackles.

But there was nothing I could do to stop Crux from planting his hand between my shoulder blades and shoving me forward with a soft, wicked laugh.

“I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this. I always knew I’d be the one to execute you, Montgomery, but to slice off your pretty little wife’s head first while you’re screaming for me to spare her…that, I think, will be the highlight of my week.”

“I hate this fucking place,” Tavion growled when we hit the dungeon’s main corridor.

I knew there was a dungeon beneath the Keep. The Shadow King needed a dungeon, somewhere for Crux and Lyrae to torture and kill and maim their victims. Somewhere for them to do his dirty work when they weren’t lopping heads off during the daily audiences.

This place stank like the Tempeste prison, that same stench of blood and urine and desperation that mixed together to choke off your air and kill your hope.

“I went easy on you last time.” Crux’s grin grew wider with every step we took, but I shot Tavion a look. You were in here? And Crux, what…tortured you?

Yes, he seemed say, his blue eyes frosting over before he pasted that irreverent, easy smile on his face again. The sight made my chest ache unbearably.

Shite. I should have brought Raziel or Zorander.

Even Tristan.

Not Tavion, who probably had memories—no, worse than memories, nightmares of this fucking place. And now he was back, helpless because of these fucking shackles, and facing…I blew out a long breath.

If Tavion could pretend, then fuck it, so could I.

“I’ll bet it’s beautiful in the summer.” I bumped Tavion with my shoulder. “Do you think they put flowerboxes on the cells to brighten things up?”

“I can see it now. Pinks and purples.” Tavion’s grin widened. “Crux probably picks the colors.”

Crux turned around and looked at us like we were both mad.

“Put them in the second cell. I want guards outside at all times. No breaks in rotation or I’ll eat your fucking hearts. I have to sort out a problem, but I’ll be back.”

He looked us both over like we were meat. “Then the three of us will play.”

“Can’t wait.” Tavion slid down the wall until he landed on the disgusting floor. “See you soon.”

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