Page 9 of The Shadow & the King
"Time's up, Lunette." She tried to move, but her whole body was secured to a chair with silver chains. The places they touched her bare skin burned. She still only wore a towel, so the pain was acute.
"Why do you want him dead?" Lunette couldn't stop the words from spilling out.
"That's none of your concern," Turios snapped. "Tomorrow at the solstice festival, you'll be brought before the king and all his guests, and I will proclaim myself his rescuer from this assassination attempt. I know he's… seen you, but I am willing to bet he will not admit that in front of all his subjects and visitors from across Domhan na Rùin. You will then face judgement, which in this case will certainly be death or permanent imprisonment, and my issue with you will be resolved."
What a nice tidy bind Turios had put her in. She wasn't about to let this happen without a fight, though. She'd tell Basil the truth if it was the last thing she did. Even if he didn't believe her word over that of his advisor, she would try.
So, for now, she kept quiet. She'd bide her time until her moment came to speak the truth. If what she thought she had with Basil was true, he'd believe her—she knew he would.
10
BASILIOUS
Basil stirred to the sound of the birds singing outside his window. Opening his eyes, memories of the previous night rushed back to him. Lunette had been in the bath, and he'd meant to tell her how he felt, that he'd imprinted. He was going to ask her to stay.
He rolled over, expecting to find her next to him, but the bed was undisturbed. Perhaps vampires did not need to sleep? He admittedly knew rather little about her species.
He rose and made his way over to his library chair, thinking perhaps Lunette had found a book to keep her company. His chair was empty, though. He quickly checked the bathing chamber, but there was no trace of her. The only thing out of place was the door to his dining room left ajar. She must have made her escape through the balcony this time since the other window she'd been using was so close to his bed.
He turned back into his bedchamber and the crushing realization that she'd fled began to sink into his mind. Whywould she have left? Had she decided to go through with her contract after all?
The weight of disappointment and heartache pressed into Basil's chest. Before he could let it take him under, a sharp knock sounded at his door, and his butler hustled in.
"Good morning, your majesty. Are you excited for today's festivities?" The butler asked brightly, making ready to lay out Basil's clothes for the day.
As Basil opened his mouth to offer a generic response, something caught his eye sticking out from under his bed just a bit. He bent down to collect it, and realized it was one of Lunette's daggers, still sheathed in black leather. She must have left it behind by accident in her haste to leave—though, that didn't seem like something she would do.
He walked toward his bookshelves and set the dagger gently on one of them. He supposed he could take this as her answer—she'd just wanted a bit of fun from him like all the rest. If she came back to finish the job, he thought, perhaps, he'd let her.
For now, he had a decision to make. He had to announce his choice today, but he could only think of her. He'd always had to be a leader, but with Lunette he just felt like… himself. He wanted to please her, to give up his control; she'd instinctively understood that primal need of his to submit to a woman as magnificent as her.
He reigned in his thoughts—it was no use dwelling on what he'd lost. He had to move forward, no matter how much it hurt.
11
LUNETTE
Lunette could hear the sounds of merriment from where she stood next to Turios outside the doors to the main hall of the castle. She was still bound in silver chains, and guards surrounded her on all sides. At least Turios hadn't done her the insult of underestimating her.
The massive wooden doors slowly swung open, and the scene they revealed was truly breathtaking. People and creatures all dressed in the bright shades of summer lounged and danced and laughed. Great sprays of colorful blooms decorated nearly every surface, and on either side of the dais, two massive cherry trees were in full bloom, their pink petals the crowning glory of the room. Lunette could smell their delicate scent from here.
And there, on his throne in all his glory, was Basilious. He was so handsome and imposing, and Lunette felt a pang in her heart at the thought that she might never be with him again after today.
The moment she and Turios stepped across the threshold of the hall, Basil's eyes found hers and widened in surprise, though he kept the rest of his features carefully schooled.
People stilled as they walked past, until the entire hall was eerily silent. Turios stopped before the dais, and Lunette noticed the tension in Basil's whole body. He gripped the arms of his throne, and his chest rose and fell a bit faster than it should have with his anxious breaths.
"Your majesty," Turios began, his voice ringing out across the hall, "I bring you a great prize on this auspicious day. This seasoned killer was sent here to murder you in cold blood."
A gasp went up from the gathered crowd, and Basil's brow furrowed, his expression darkening.
"However, I have apprehended her in time to save you from any harm. What punishment would you see fit to bestow on such a criminal?"
"Liar!" Lunette's voice was strong and harsh, and another collective sound of surprise from the crowd followed her exclamation.
"How dare you speak in our king's presence," Turios hissed.
"If you wanted me to stay quiet you should have gagged me," Lunette spat back with venom in her voice.
