Page 128 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“Jewellery can be replaced, Princess Consort!” The soldier castigated her as he hauled her back into position on the beast and flew higher.

Be that as it may, she felt naked now, her protections gone. The creature below moved again, fracturing the surrounding rock. Another horrid screech reached her ears. Taisiya flinched as it, too, was silenced. The creature below let loose a terrible bone-shaking wail and uncoiled, its enormous head breaching the surface.

Glittering gold and black scales sparkled like cursed treasure. Numerous horns like a fan of daggers framed its serpentine face. The dragon glared at the fleeing fae with wicked, cruel cunning. Lunging from its burrow with alarming speed, it grabbed the nearest soldier atop his beast with ease, its fangs thrice as long as the man they pierced. It swallowed with a delighted gleam in its black eyes.

“It’s feral!” the soldier at Taisiya’s back cried. “Thank the gods,” he said under his breath.

Taisiya looked back at the man behind her with bewilderment. How on Oblivion was that a good thing? The soldier smiled. Then the glamour he’d been using fell away. This was not a man she recognised—and he was wearing the armour of the royal guard.

“I have nothing against you, Your Harmoniousness. But Radjedef must survive.”

Before she could strike him with her lightning, his magic enveloped her, crushing her, breaking her. A horrid taste, like spoiled milk, made her gag. She lost sight of herself, her whole being unmade. Limbs dissolved and reformed and suddenly nothing was where it should be. Still reeling from the transformation, she heard the soldier’s voice.

“I’m a fair man. I’ve given you a fighting chance.”

And then Taisiya, whatever she was, began falling.

Chapter 49

Radjedef’slifewashangingby a very thin thread. It was too bad the pest in question didn’t know it.

“Should I just drag him to the void? Tell him he can’t come out until he agrees to our demands?” Vasilisa asked from the shadow behind Mereruka’s ear.

“I’ll let you know,” Mereruka replied, his voice hushed.

Much as he would have liked to simply send Radjedef to the void and be done with this, it would leave Khety room to accuse Mereruka of foul play. He also hesitated knowing just how loyal the guards were to Radjedef, and how quickly they would retaliate to avenge him. If Radjedef had been anything but the obedient dog that he was, Khety would’ve done away with him a century ago.

Radjedef’s soldiers were serving him food and liquor while others grabbed the scales Mereruka’s soldiers had collected and tossed them high. Arrows and enchantments just barely scratched the scales, a testament to the defensive powers wielded by dragons. Mereruka kept his face calm as his blood boiled. His wife needed to be gone from this wretched place as soon as possible, before her condition was noticed. Radjedef’s petty games were hampering him.

“Have you eaten something sour, brother?” Radjedef grinned as Mereruka’s party approached.

“Simply amazed you wish to spend more time in this gods-forsaken place… and that you allow your soldiers to so blatantly disobey the king’s orders.” Mereruka watched with some satisfaction as Radjedef’s soldiers paused in their games. “Recover our scales,” he instructed his own soldiers.

“And yet, these are our scales, brother. Yours have already been used for our amusement.” Radjedef stood from his seat and loomed over Mereruka, a sneer on his scaly red face.

“So good of you to admit to your pettiness. Takehisscales. Fair is fair, after all.” Mereruka smiled.

Radjedef raised his hand and his soldiers readied themselves for a brawl. Mereruka’s braced for the fight.

“Why must you always reach for things which are not yours?” Radjedef asked, his voice quiet.

Mereruka was caught off guard by the seriousness of Radjedef’s gaze and the sincerity in his tone. It was the only time it seemed Radjedef seemed to be asking more than one question at once.

“Wouldn’t you agree that they belong to the person most determined to take them?”

“I pity you. Nothing I’ve done has ever taught you your place.” He sighed, resigned.

“I know my place, Radjedef. I am merely teaching the rest of the world where I rightfully belong.” Mereruka raised his chin.

“So be it. Soldiers! Att—”

Radjedef’s command was cut off by the ominous rumbling of the ground beneath their feet. Mereruka turned, eyes frantically searching for Taisiya, left behind at their camp. A soldier was already taking flight, Taisiya’s copper hair whipping about like a flag, announcing her safe retreat. He could breathe again.

“Vasilisa. Take him to the void,” Mereruka said quickly.

Radjedef’s bewilderment lasted only a moment before panic overwhelmed him. He disappeared into his own shadow like the ground itself had opened up beneath him. The soldiers of the royal guard leapt back in horror.

“As Prince of Maat, I curse you, soldiers of Radjedef, to heed me or remain stuck fast.” Mereruka cursed, his magic striking the ground. Angry shouts rang out as legs were dragged under the rocky soil. Oh, the soldiers had every enchantment imaginable woven into their tunics and mail, but few ever bothered to enchant their sandals. “Form rank and protect the princess consort!”

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