Page 16 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

Turning back, he continued. “If you succeed in finding me the information I need, I promise to release you from your blood oath, and you can stay here with your pets should you like. As a free female.”

When the bond between them flickered with the truth of his words, her heart began hammering against her rib cage.

The one advantage with the blood oath was that it went both ways: a vow from King Rioner couldn’t be broken, as any vow he forced from her couldn’t be escaped.

She could be free.

She could stay here, stay with Amalise and Ardow and the rest of the people she loved.

“One more thing.”

The smile that overtook her face fell when the king gestured to Merrick.

“Show her what happens if she fails.”

Lessia didn’t have time to react before a fist connected with her stomach and she doubled over.

Chapter

Eight

Whispers, and something wet and warm lying across her forehead, woke her. She furrowed her brows, then groaned when the motion made knives slice through her head.

“Take it easy, Lia. You’ve been out for a while,” Amalise whispered.

Forcing her eyes open, Lessia stared back at her friend, at her wide blue eyes, at the angrily set jaw.

Ardow hovered behind her, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

“Who do I need to kill?” Amalise cast a glare around the room, as if whoever had done this would appear out of thin air.

Lessia followed her eyes, realizing she was back in her own bed, the moon hanging high in the cloud-filled sky mocking her through the window.

She cleared her throat. “How did I get here?”

The last thing she remembered was hard stone, and bone-chilling wind brushing her cheeks.

Amalise shifted her glare to her, hissing quietly, “Who, Lia?”

Lessia’s mouth opened and closed, but invisible fingers tightened around her throat, and she drew a wheezing breath as they restricted the air flowing into her lungs.

Ardow placed a hand on Amalise’s shoulder, jerking his head at Lessia. “You know as well as I do that she can’t tell us. But I have a pretty good idea of who did this to her.”

Amalise sliced her eyes to Ardow. “Is it her king? This has something to do with what happened at the tavern, doesn’t it?”

“I think so.” Ardow sat down on the bed, the mattress shifting with both him and Amalise on it, making Lessia cringe as the movement sent sharp pain through her joints.

“Sorry!” He piled a few pillows between them, keeping her steady until they all got comfortable. “I think your king is coming for you, or has already, perhaps, based on the state of you.”

Lessia fidgeted with the blanket they’d placed over her, her eyes darting between her friends.

Ardow nodded to himself. “Yes, he’s having you do something for him. Are you leaving?”

Grateful that she could at least offer them that, she shook her head and tried for a weak smile. “I’m running for regent.”

Her friends’ stunned silence almost had her giggle.

Gods, she’d be made a fool.

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