Page 54 of Poisoned Kingdom
Reynard muttered a curse. ‘Godsdamn it. We’ll interrogate them all, but it would be easier if you could re—’ Reynard paused, frowning. That was when I noticed the commotion outside the chamber. ‘What in the pit’s going on out there?’
He gestured to the guard by the door, who opened it to reveal a steward standing with his back to the entrance, waving his arms around erratically. Once he realised the door was open, he turned around, relief written all over his face.
‘Your Majesty, these people insist on seeing you. It’s about the prisoner no one’s supposed to know about,’ he said cautiously. ‘I refused, but the dwarf started to fight.’
‘Tova,’ I whispered, my heart stuttering when I recognised him struggling with a guard.
Reynard frowned, his gaze switching between the steward and me. Finally, he gestured.
‘Bring them forth.’
I stood frozen as two guards escorted Tova and Lily in, shaking my head when Lily looked at me in confusion.
Tova frowned when I signalled for him to be quiet. I hoped their presence wouldn’t make the situation worse, but I knew the chances were slim with my impulsive tinkerer around.
Lily had gone all out on her outfit. Her long gown accentuated her curves whilst still modestly covering her body. It rustled quietly as she stepped forward, sinking to her knees, the pale blue dress pooling around her like water.
‘Your Majesty, may we speak in private?’ she asked, pulling Tova’s sleeve, but he stood tall, glaring at Reynard so intently that I half expected the king to erupt in flames. ‘Master Orenson and I have information that may be essential to Dagome’s safety, but it is for your ears only.’
Reynard straightened in his chair, and, following an unspoken command, the guards stepped closer to Tova.
‘I see you’ve noticed my captive, Master Orenson. I’m guessing you came here to demand her freedom rather than help the Crown?’
‘Sire, we—’ Lily started, but Tova didn’t let her finish.
‘Damn right. First, Mlot—the last dimwit who imprisoned her—refused to listen in Wiosna. Now I find my drah’sa a captive here too? Care to explain yourself,Your Majesty?’ Tova said. I felt the blood drain from my face when the blunt end of the guard’s spear hit the back of the dwarf’s knees, forcing him to the floor.
‘No!’ I threw myself towards Tova when another soldier swung to strike, but I didn’t even get close.
‘Enough!’
Reynard had moved so fast that before I’d taken a single step, he’d grabbed my collar and pulled me into his arms.
The dress’s straining seams couldn’t handle the force, and with a loud ripping sound, my bodice tore apart. I gasped, trying to grab the fabric, when I was spun around and, before fully realising what was going on, pressed against Reynard’s chest. My modesty had been preserved, but at what cost? The scent of musk and lemongrass enveloped me while muscular arms held me so tight I couldn’t move.
‘Let me go!’ I hissed, pushing against his chest but he didn’t budge.
‘The front of your dress has split open, so stay where you are unless you want to give my guards something to ogle at,’he chastised me before looking at Lily. ‘How are you called, Mistress?’
‘I don’t bloody care if they see my tits as long as they stop hurting my friend,’ I said, pushing harder as I tried to free myself, my worry for Tova much stronger than my fear of the king. ‘Let me go. I’m not your dog to be pulled around on a leash.’
‘ButIcare!’ Reynard only tightened his grip. His nostrils flared as he bent to my ear. ‘Roksana, let me handle the situation,’ he hissed, lips so close that his breath stirred my hair.
‘But they—’
‘They reacted because your knight in not-so-shining armour grabbed his axe. Their job is to defend their king, and that’s exactly what they did.’
The insult I’d had ready died on my lips; I hadn’t seen Tova’s hands move. In the sudden silence, I felt Reynard’s heart thumping beneath my hand, but he wasn’t paying attention to me. Instead, he looked up at a very pale Lily and asked, ‘Your name, my lady . . . please.’
‘Liliana Ordon, sire,’ Lily answered instantly, sitting back on her heels with a dazed look on her face.
‘I assume you are also Roksana’s friend?’
‘Yes, my lord. I received a message saying she was here, so I came to enquire as to her status.’
‘Interesting . . . but we can talk about that later. Please surrender your shawl, my lady,’ Reynard reached over, expecting her compliance.
Lily carefully unwrapped the silk wrap around her shoulders and held it out. ‘My lord, please unhand Sana,’ she said quietly, her hands trembling as she avoided touching him.
