Page 40 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

Time crawled, until I felt as if I might peel off my skin for some relief. Finally, I cracked open my door, ignoring the night guards, and strolled toward Sabium’s rooms.

I had every right to walk wherever I wanted.

Sabium was the only one who would question my presence.

I smiled at his guards, forcing a blush to my cheeks. Let them assume I was visiting him for sex.

Even if Alcandre was the one walking into his rooms each night.

Maroon and gold assaulted my eyes as I stepped inside Sabium’s receiving room. His sitting room was also empty, but I could hear the sound of water splashing from his bathing room, the murmur of Sabium’s servants. My heart pounded, and I scanned the room.

No, he wouldn’t keep it here.

His bedroom was next. I stepped inside, and it felt as if the temperature plummeted several degrees.

There it was.

My vision narrowed until all I could see was the cover. The grimoire didn’t look ancient, yet the god had likely protected it with his power.

Pure elation filled my lungs as I reached for it.

And Sabium’s laugh rang out behind me.

I whirled, backing toward the door. He stood in front of his closet, Tymedes at his side, several guards next to him. And those guards held Lisveth, Caraceli and Pelopia in their arms, hands covering their mouths.

The bathing room had gone silent. Alcandre slipped from the room wrapped in nothing but a bath sheet, a tiny smile playing around her mouth.

She had done this.

Sabium watched me, his eyes dancing. Realization slid through me. This was exactly what he had wanted. If he’d killed me earlier, word would have spread about the slaughter of the queen he’d claimed to love. Now, he could prove I was a traitor, and his court would celebratemy death.

“Did you really think I didn’t know you were planning to steal from me?” He smiled. “Who told you about the grimoire, hmm?”

Lisveth whimpered.

I would kill them all. My hands trembled as I opened the grimoire, scanning it desperately for the magic I needed.

Blank pages.

I froze.

Sabium chuckled. “Oh, Kaliera. You truly are the stupidest woman on this continent. Well, except for this one.” He gestured to Lisveth, and I let out a choked scream.

“No, Sabium!”

The guard dragged his knife across Lisveth’s throat. Blood spurted.

So much blood.

The room suddenly seemed to be painted red with it.

Lisveth’s screams turned to a choking cough, and the guard stepped back, letting her slump to the floor.

My eyes met Alcandre’s.

Her face had whitened, but her lips thinned as I stared at her.

She sauntered toward me, and Sabium allowed it. “You didn’t protect us,” she hissed, leaning close. “Every day of our lives revolved around serving you. You knew what was happening in this castle, and you left us to be preyed on. Now it’s your turn.”

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