Page 49 of A Blaze of Fire
I took serious offense to his words but remained quiet. The King didn’t need to know the truth. If what Ansel said last night was true, that is. I had no memory of it.
“So how shall we resolve this … minor dispute, hmm?” the King asked with a raised brow. “I cannot have someone roaming the Unseelie Court whom others think is above me.”
“Of course not, Your Highness,” Alec agreed immediately. “How about—”
“How about a public showing?” I interrupted. Both Alec and Kazimir’s gazes whipped in my direction, sharp enough to cut through ice. I ignored them and kept my focus trained on the King with a calm and reassuring face. “I know what they’re saying isn’t true, Your Highness, and I can prove it.”
A slow grin spread across the King’s face. “Is that so?”
I nodded. “Once they see me fail, they’ll know all the rumors are unfounded.”
“You’ll be branded a liar,” the King added with a calculating gleam.
I frowned. “ButInever said I could—”
“Doesn’t matter,” he interrupted. “The fae will blame the rumor solely on you. Are you prepared to take that on?”
I bit my lip and hesitated for just a second, weighing my conscience over my pride. I was no stranger to being hated, but this could deepen the target on my back. Was I ready for that? Was disproving the story worth putting myself in danger, all for the sake of sparing the King’s inflated ego?
Alec leaned down and whispered, “You don’t have to do this, Vi. Hell,don’tdo this. For once, just listen to me. We’ll figure out another way.”
But I knew there was no other way, not if I wanted to live to tell about it.
“I’ll do it.”
* * *
We walkedout of the throne room in silence. As soon as the doors shut behind us, I let out a shaky exhale. I may have pretended to be brave in there, but I was a ball of nerves.
“She won’t be safe in the castle,” Kazimir murmured, peering around the hallway to see if anyone was listening. “Once she displays what she’s capable of, the Unseelie will turn on her just as the King predicts … just like he wants.”
Alec deflated. “It’s all because of the prophecy, isn’t it?”
Kazimir nodded.
“I don’t understand. I thought he promised to protect me,” I said naively.
“He did,” Kazimir said, “until the moment you became a god to his people.”
My eyes widened. “That’s ridiculous! I’m not anything of the sort!”
“Is it?” Kazimir countered. “I warned you.”
“Hey, buddy – this isn’t my fault,” I said adamantly, standing my ground.
“Oh, yeah?” Kazimir challenged. “And whose fault is it?”
I blinked.
“Exactly,” he snorted. “Now you better hope and pray they don’t slit your throat while you’re sleeping for deceiving them.”
I was starting to get angry. I didn’t deceive anyone! I never started any rumors! My fists tightened at my sides and I felt the first flickers of fire licking against my palms.
Alec’s hand wrapped around my fist and held on softly. “She gets your point, Kazimir,” he offered. “But you know better than I do that none of this is her fault. So why don’t you take your misplaced blame and your piss-poor attitude somewhere else?”
Kazimir glared at him. “Watch it, boy,” he warned. Without another word, he spun on his heels and stormed off, leaving us standing in front of the throne room doors.
“Don’t mind him,” Alec said as we watched him disappear. “He’s just … he’s just Kazimir.”
