Page 135 of Merciless Is My Crown

“I see you managed to get the collar off, slave,” Serpens murmured, his gaze narrowing when his eyes landed on Zor. “And kept your friend alive in the process. Too bad that won’t work for you today. I have to say, I’ll be glad to get this over.”

“I once made myself a vow,” I said loudly enough those in the front rows could hear me.

“To overthrow your rule and free this realm from your endless cruelty. This realm could be better. This world could be better.”

“A nice speech.” The king waved Lyrae forward, Crux coming to a stop right in front of me, his eyes darting eagerly between us. “And your last. Kill the girl first. I want them to see her die. Then the general, then you can kill the last two in whichever order you like.”

Serpens whirled around, furs swaying as he stalked up the steps to his throne, settling himself in heavily like he was getting comfortable for a show. Only ten paces away.

He might as well have been a mile with Crux standing between us and these fucking shackles on my wrists. I’d never felt so fucking helpless in my entire life as I did right now.

“Don’t you want us to beg?” Anaria asked in a small voice. “Beg for our lives?”

Zorander looked over at her, eyes wide, air whistling in and out of his broken nose.

“While I normally find that enjoyable, I think our time has come to an end, daughter.” His eyes glinted with something truly evil as he glared down at Tavion. “I must thank you for fattening my coffers. Though it vexes me to think of where you came up with the money.”

Tavion bared his bloody teeth. “Don’t think on it too hard. I wouldn’t want you to injure yourself, my good king.”

“Come to think of it, leave the gambler for last. It’s been a while since I’ve swung a sword.” Those thick, jeweled fingers flexed on the arms of his onyx throne. “One must never be afraid of doing the dirty work.”

Lyrae’s look of gleeful anticipation was only second to Crux’s when he raised his sword over his head, the back of Anaria’s thin neck gleaming in the torchlight, her hair hanging down over her face like a curtain.

I wished I could see her again.

Wished I could hold her…tell her how much I loved…

A deep boom rocked the Keep, the floor beneath my knees heaving then settling with a deep crack before the windows overhead blew out, showering the crowd with shattered glass. People screamed, and from the thudding feet behind us, the king’s loyal court raced for the exits.

Exactly as we’d planned.

56

RAZIEL

The entire Keep rocked back and forth as I climbed to my feet.

Too late. Tristan had almost been too fucking late.

“Hold still, Raz.” Anaria was already fitting the key into the lock on my shackles. I caught another flash out the corner of my eye —this time of movement.

In one graceful, smooth motion, Lyrae lunged with her sword, fast as an adder, plunging the blade into Crux’s side. The point exploded out his other side, showering Zor and Tavion with blood.

Crux twisted away, tearing the sword from her hand and frantically trying to drag the weapon from his abdomen. “You…you fucking bitch…” He gripped the handle and slid it out with a wet, sickening sound, dark red blood soaking the front of him.

His panicked eyes met mine. “See you in the Great Beyond, motherfucker.” I grinned like a madman. “I hope you burn in the Pit like a fucking dog.”

Anaria was setting Zor and Tavion free; Lyrae tossed me a knife from her belt as I raced past her.

Straight toward the now-frantic Shadow King, his eyes darting around his ruined throne room as if expecting his guards to come save him.

Five feet in front of him—halfway there—I hit a wall of impossible-to-breach power, my fingers clawing futilely, knife stabbing down over and over, the blade sparking as I dragged the tip down over his shield.

Serpens clasped his shaking hands together and leaned forward. “Did you really think I was foolish enough to leave myself vulnerable?” His gaze lifted and I didn’t know what he was looking at.

Lyrae, his favorite protector gone rogue.

Or Crux bleeding out on the floor.

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