Page 71 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“With pleasure,” Qar growled.

Qar pulled the man up by his hair and shoved him along.

“Please have mercy, Prince Mereruka!” the man begged.

“Weren’t you listening? My wife will give you a chance at freedom if you can avoid being struck by her lightning. That is more mercy than a thief like you deserves!” Mereruka snarled.

Before long they arrived at the entrance. The servants opened the imposing stone barriers and Qar threw the man to the ground with all his considerable strength. As he crawled for the water lapping at the bottom of the front steps, Mereruka snared him in his magic. As the people of Rhacotis watched the man slowly melt, sweat trickled down Mereruka’s spine. The nomarch’s spawn possessed a fair bit of magic, fighting the transformation with tooth and claw. But being a hatya, he’d refused to augment his power with a single tattoo. Fool. It took longer than he would have liked, but that only added to the horror of the spectacle. Eventually, he dissolved the man and reformed him as a duck.

By now, passersby had stopped their boats in the canals while others crowded on the small islands of dry land to watch the grim process. Some cheered, others yelled epithets at the intruder-turned-fowl. The bird clumsily took to the sky to the outraged shrieks of those gathered.

“Are they watching?” Taisiya asked.

“They’re riveted,” Mereruka answered.

Taisiya stepped forward and formed a crackling spear of lightning as tall as herself in her hand. As the harsh incandescence burned his eyes, she appeared as nothing less than a proud demigoddess, lightning streaking through her copper locks as her dress billowed about her ankles. Fearsome and implacable, she was a sight to behold. The spectators shielded their eyes as she posed to throw her lightning like a javelin. With a theatrical flourish, Taisiya unleashed the bolt. In the distance, a dark, smoking shape plummeted into the waters below. Food for the fishes.

The eyes of his people turned from the sight of the execution towards Taisiya. She stood tall, a stern expression on her face. His heart swelled at the sight. Mereruka swept her up in his arms. She gasped, wrapping her hands around his neck as her eyes widened. Grinning like a fool, he called out to the crowd, his voice amplified by a spell.

“The city of Rhacotis has been restored by my wife, and Maat’s newest royal, Princess Consort Taisiya!”

Cheers rang out as Mereruka swept back into his palace. Despite his smile and the delighted looks of his household, anger over the desecration of his home simmered beneath the surface. Taisiya placed a hand on his heart.

“Your real home is here. They can tarnish brick and mortar, but they haven’t truly destroyed the heart of your home, not if you don’t let them. Trust someone who knows a little about such things.”

He was surprised by the unexpected kindness. Hope took root inside him. Stopping his stride, he bent his head to kiss the top of hers.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“You’re welcome. Now, shall we assess the damage?” she asked.

“Prince Mereruka? Princess Consort Taisiya? If you’ll follow me, I’ll tell you what has happened since you left Maat,” Nofret said, her tone grim.

Chapter 29

HeldinMereruka’sarms,Taisiya fought back a blush. It wasn’t the most seemly of ways to get from one part of his palace to the other. It was also far from dignified or discreet. Surely he would tire soon? But as they passed the outer complex, giving a show to all and sundry, he never once faltered. She’d never allowed herself to get this close to him for this long. His spicy perfume tickled her nose, his muscular chest was hard against hers and all she could think about was his taunt. He wanted her to initiate their kisses.Be my lover. Foolish, vexatious, temporary madness. She had more important things to do. Taisiya crooked her finger. Mereruka bent his head obligingly, allowing her to whisper in his ear.

“How much do you trust them?” She nodded at Nofret’s retreating form.

She hadn’t discussed with him just how many in his household knew what he was about. It was a thoughtless error on her part.

“She knows I want the throne. She doesn’t know how far I’m willing to go to get it. Nofret has no love for Khety, though. My mother was one of Nofret’s dear friends. You may tell her what you feel comfortable divulging. Qar is as loyal as they come and would welcome a bit of bloodshed either way. Otherwise, best keep these things to ourselves,” he answered quietly.

Taisiya breathed a sigh of relief.

“Alright, you can put me down now,” she said.

Mereruka’s grin was wolfish. That boded ill for her composure.

“At least wait until we’re somewhere more private. Give the staff something to gossip about,” he said.

“You have no shame,” Taisiya hissed.

He shrugged, rubbing her against his chest. She fought down a blush as her hand grazed his nipple.

“I only bother with it on special occasions.” When he looked down at her, his citrine eyes glittered with mischief. “You’re burdened by enough of it for both of us. As your adoring husband, I should show you how to live without it.”

“You should quit while you’re ahead, Meri,” Taisiya threatened him in a sing-song voice. He laughed.

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