Page 14 of Poisoned Kingdom
‘Yes, whatever is whispered by the fire, not a word to anyone about what happened. I was hunting and was injured by—’ I paused, trying to find a convenient excuse for the injury. ‘By a wild boar, and it was a bloody huge cur. Send one or two hunters out to kill one and throw the carcass on a wagon in case anyone questions it,’ I said. When he nodded, I exhaled, focusing on the here and now. ‘When we arrive at the capital, send for the garrison commanders. I want them to send a contingent of scouts to the northern borders.’
‘Yes, sire. Anything else?’ the captain asked, and all three men looked at me with interest.
‘No, you may go,’ I replied. When he left, I turned to Riordan. ‘How long was I unconscious?’
‘Five days,’ he answered. When I shot him a questioning look, he explained, ‘Two days to bring the healer, and another two days for Master Ciesko to stabilise you. Today is the fifth day since the attack.’
I ground my teeth, exhaling slowly. After five days, even a contingent of scouts might not be able to find her, but I had one more option: the Brotherhood she belonged to.
‘That’s . . . unfortunate. Let’s hope the grand master doesn’t try protecting her, or I’ll have his head on a spike,’ I said with such venom that my mage gave me a quizzical look.
‘Are you planning to interrogate him? What about the covenant?’ Riordan’s frown made me smirk, which only sent a wave of pain across my face.
‘The covenant is a worthless scrap of paper if they’ve deceived me. I will find the truth, Ri . . . and I’ll findher, whatever the cost.’
I had to face her again—because no matter how much I fought it, my mind dragged me back to that moment, replaying it on a loop until all I could see were her eyes, wide with terror, green lightning sparking in their hazel depths.
What pit of despair did you crawl out from, Viper?
I needed a name for her, and that one fit. She was a warning disguised as beauty—one I had noticed far too late.
We arrived in Truso the next afternoon. Master Ciesko had spent that time working his magic, quite literally, and had performed what Riordan described as a miracle, modifying and enhancing the spell he’d cast on my face. The lattice he’d created to control the poison now also eased a significant amount of the pain. It was a temporary measure, but it helped me appear normal even if I struggled with my depth perception.
The healer, however, looked like he’d been dragged through the Veil kicking and screaming before fighting his way back. I promised him he’d be well rewarded for his help, directing him to rest and replenish his aether reserves before I dismissed him.
Once he’d gone, I addressed Riordan. ‘Give me an hour to clean myself up, then call for the grand master—and send thedescription I gave you to the scouts. I want her found and brought to me unharmed.’
‘Are you sure? It can wait until tomorrow.’
‘Can it? You want me to rest knowing there’s an assassin with magic-resistant poison out there?’ I snapped as I entered my quarters, wincing at my servant’s sudden gasp when they saw my face.
‘Get the bath ready and lay out some casual clothes for me,’ I instructed the man. I turned back to Riordan, who was still standing there, his eyes fixed on me, thick with concern.
‘Please, don’t question me,’ I said quietly, offering a faint, apologetic smile that tugged at the edges of my healing scar.
‘As you wish,’ he answered, leaving me alone. I stripped quickly and stepped into the bath chamber, head bowed, trying not to glance at the mirror. But in the end, curiosity won.
My body was unchanged. Large and well-muscled, a thick layer of hair covered my chest, narrowing into a vertical band down my abdomen. My face, though . . . I ran a hand through my thick black hair. I usually kept it short, as the unruly waves were difficult to contain, but maybe that would change now.
I loosened the eyepatch Riordan had fashioned for me. Beneath it, the empty socket and ugly red scar stood in stark contrast to my lone grey eye. The scar began at my cheek, where the blade had first torn into my skin, and carved its way up to just above my brow. I’d never been the most handsome of men—too sharp-featured, too heavily built, and no crown could soften that. But now, I looked downright terrifying.
‘There go my chances of luring pretty maidens to my bed,’ I muttered, easing into the large tub of hot water.
‘It’s not that bad, my liege. Some women like . . . ahh . . . danger.’
My servant’s words made me laugh. The poor man was trying to console me, but I knew the truth.
‘Yes, people are strange, and some find it thrilling to deal with monsters, but I won’t be some pity fuck or a deviant’s desire. Hurry and help me wash. I have a meeting in an hour.’
He did what I asked, and half an hour later, my hair still wet and plastered to the nape of my neck, I headed to the audience chamber.
Riordan was already there. Boyan, the grand master of the Dark Brotherhood, stood next to him. He was looking even sicker and thinner than the last time I’d seen him. I frowned when his body shook with a wracking cough.
‘Good to see you, Grand Master,’ I said, pointing to a chair before sitting.
‘Your Majesty, I heard about the accident . . .’ he started.
‘We both know it wasn’t an accident. Your assassins did this to me. I killed the men, but the woman escaped. I want to know her name and who paid her.’
