Page 69 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“Do you desire the power to chart your own destiny?”

“I do.”

“Haven’t I often said you are perfect?”

“You… have.” She swallowed.No, no, not hope. She could not afford to hope. He’d once said she had a heart of stone, but she was mortal the same as him. If she let him support her, let him help as she got her balance, he would have power over her. He would get past her walls.

“Then trust that there is nothing insignificant about you. I risked my head to ensure you were my bride. I tricked and trapped and lied, and then bound myself by unbreakable oaths in order to win you, Taisiya. You are my perfect—vicious—other half.” His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb grazing her cheekbone as his eyes sparkled with delight. “You demanded my honesty. This is the truth—only a fool marries someone they consider a pet, and I like to think of us as more intelligent than that.” Her heart leapt as he grinned. “Now, look upon your future subjects. Let them see the woman I see; a proud, fearsome mage with lightning in her veins.”

Taisiya turned to see the people of Maat, all gathered to welcome their prince home. She straightened her spine and kept a pleasant smile on her face as Mereruka waved. Their ship docked at the bustling port. Ecstatic cheering rippled through the crowd as his return was trumpeted. Mereruka created steps of pastel clouds for their descent from the ship. She placed her hand in his and looked up at him as lovingly as she could. It was time to put on a show not one of them would ever forget.

Chapter 28

Itwasgoodtobe home.

The jubilant, shocked welcome of Rhacotis—his city—was all he needed to understand that few had expected him to return. Before he’d arrived on the shores of the Cursed Continent, neither had he. And now he’d done the unthinkable. Mereruka might as well have risen from the dead. As he helped Taisiya down the steps, he couldn’t help his smile. He was home, alive, and he’d brought death back with him—and she was a beauty.

He hadn’t realised how much he’d missed Rhacotis until he’d set foot on the pier. Home smelled like aromatic spices mixed with the sea. Home was the place they called his name like a benediction. Home was where the sun shone brightest, illuminating the smiles of his people.

His two most trusted retainers appeared, pushing through the crowd.

“Prince Mereruka! Thank the gods you’ve returned,” Nofret said as she knelt at his feet, her green eyes shining with tears.

The first scribe’s skin was plum, her hair sparkling like spun silver and her fingers forever darkened by ink. Nofret was nearly as tall as he, heavyset and possessed of surprising physical strength. Once upon a time, she’d been a trusted official of his mother’s. Now, she set her brilliant mind to making Rhacotis wealthy and prosperous beyond belief.

“It is good to see you alive and well, Prince Mereruka.” Qar knelt beside Nofret.

Taller and broader than most, the brown-skinned hippo shapeshifter was barrel-chested and thick-necked. His braided black hair fell forward as he bent his head, the ears of a hippo and ivory tusks jutting out from his bottom jaw. Mereruka had confidently left the defence of the delta and his city in Qar’s hands. Though the hippo shifter was easily stronger than any wild hippo, he was not nearly as bad-tempered.

“Nofret, Qar.” Mereruka nodded. “Meet my wife and Maat’s newest royal, Princess Consort Taisiya.”

Taisiya gave the barest nod of her head as he presented her, copper waves of hair swaying in the breeze. In front of his people, this raucous crowd, she was the picture of serenity.

“Greetings, Princess Consort Taisiya,” they said in unison.

“Taisiya, Nofret is my first scribe and Qar is my overseer of the soldiers, who defends my lands and keeps the peace in my territory. They are trusted members of my household.”

“Greetings, Nofret, Qar. This is my attendant, Vasilisa. Treat her as an extension of me.” Taisiya tipped her head to her companion.

Vasilisa curtseyed.

“I pride myself on serving the princess consort and ridding her life of vermin. If you require my assistance, simply call out. I have tasted your shadows and can now locate you with ease.” She looked to Taisiya, who smiled. “If there is nothing further, I will take my leave.”

Despite the harsh sunlight, Vasilisa burst into black flame and sank slowly into Taisiya’s shadow, waving her black, clawed hand. Fae in the harbour who witnessed it yelped and leapt back. To their credit, Nofret and Qar didn’t budge.

So his wife did know when to have a flair for the dramatic after all. He placed a hand over hers on his arm and squeezed.Good girl.

“If we’re speaking of vermin, then you should prepare yourself, Prince Mereruka. In your absence, a swarm has brazenly taken up residence in your home—at the suggestion of King Khety,” Nofret said.

Mereruka glamoured over his displeasure—barely. It took a moment before he could release the stiffness of his posture. Someone had invaded his home? His place of refuge? They would die—painfully. It was brazen indeed to take up residence in another man’s home, king’s permission or not.

“They have been draining your treasury, raising prices, and charging enormous tariffs on all incoming trade as well,” Qar said. “The people of Rhacotis have been grumbling loudly of late.”

The bastards were trying to ruin him and destabilize Rhacotis. Of course they would. Khety was always jealous of him, of his well-run nome, of his contented, wealthy subjects. Had it not been enough to send him off to certain death? Had it not been enough to send multiple assassins with him on a supposed doomed voyage? Now he must endure the insult of his place of sanctuary being defiled. His blood was beginning to boil. How bad would the damage be?

Taisiya’s thumb stroked his arm. He caught a sly smile turning up the corners of her lips.

“Are they telling us that a band of ruffians have been sleeping in my new home, eating my food and dispensing with my wealth?” she asked.

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