Page 76 of Poisoned Kingdom
He reached for my wrist but I stepped back, just out of reach, offering him a demure bow that only barely masked my smirk.
‘Dangerous?’ I echoed, tilting my head. ‘I don’t compromise on my principles, and you should know that better than anyone.’
I placed my hand on Jagon’s chest, stroking my fingers over his velvet kaftan. His expression tightened, confusion flickering behind his frown. I gave him my most coy smile, as if there were an unspoken agreement between us that no one could ever know.
Jagon’s heart quickly sped up beneath my palm, his pupils widening at my tender gesture, but I had already turned towards the others. ‘You cannot doubt where my loyalty lies; after all, I’m here, aren’t I?’ When Bolko and Tymon reluctantly nodded, I knew I’d won.
‘Well then,’ I said, offering a gracious smile. ‘Since the matter is resolved, let’s return to dinner. I’ve caused enough of a disturbance as it is.’
‘Roksana!’ Jagon hissed, grasping my wrist just as a tremulous hand landed lightly on my shoulder, making me turn my head.
‘You won’t deny me this last pleasure, I’m sure. If you step into this position, you would also like to have your own mage, Jagon,’ Boyan said. I wondered if anyone had noticed that the grand master said ‘if,’ not ‘when.’ I did, and I was sure Jagon did, too. ‘Come, Roksana, sit beside me and share the tales that earned you the attention of the king’s mage.’
Jagon’s hand fell away. His jaw clenched, but he bowed and returned to his seat. I stepped forward, offering Boyan my arm and discreetly supporting him as we walked to his place at the table. I made sure my voice rang loud enough to carry.
‘Oh, nothing much,’ I said lightly. ‘He was just surprised I was healing dwarves.’
‘I admit, that baffles me, too.’ Boyan chuckled, motioning for a servant to pour the wine. ‘Those people are built as tough as the rocks they mine. You never fail to surprise me, child. Please tell me more. Caring for our brethren keeps me in Truso, but I enjoy hearing about events from around Tir ha Mor.’
I sat beside him, taking the goblet from his unsteady hand and squeezing it gently when our fingers met. Boyan’s patronage had saved me more times than I cared to count. He’d championed me when no one else would, his attention often shielding me from cruelty. But it came at a cost.
Whispers trailed me like smoke—accusations that I shared his bed, that my rise as his shadow was unearned. They only quieted when the first body was found,Nightshadescrawled in blood beside it.
Sharing a meal with him again was bittersweet. I recounted my time in Wiosna, and he teased out forgotten memories withthe ease of someone who had always known me better than I knew myself. It should have felt like old times. And yet, I couldn’t stop noticing the pallor of his skin, the tremble in his limbs.
Whenever I tried to ignore his condition, my gaze landed on the others at the table—their cold stares, the bitter twist of their mouths. None more intense than Jagon’s, who only watched me, his food forgotten on his plate.
I may have won this battle, but the war wasn’t over, and my former master knew I’d outmanoeuvred him at his own game.
The question was, how would he make me pay?
Chapter 28
Roksana
By the time dinner ended, I had to hide my yawns. Everyone was leaving for their homes, but I postponed my departure as long as I could. A confrontation with Jagon was inevitable, and when even Boyan went to his chambers, ready or not, I had to face him.
As soon as I entered the corridor, a young apprentice accosted me.
‘Master Jagon wishes to see you before you leave,’ he said nervously, glancing at my hands, obviously expecting me to punish him for talking.
‘Oh, for fuck’s sake, I won’t hurt you. Lead the way,’ I answered sharply, making him shrink back. I didn’t want tobully the boy, but I was tired, and even retrieving the evidence against Lily hadn’t eased my fears that Jagon would harm my friends another way.
I hid my shaking hands when we arrived at the poisoner’s lab. Too many times, I’d lain dying on its floor thanks to Jagon’s punishments, those experiences leaving me so emotionally scarred that I felt my chest tighten at the mere thought of meeting him here alone.
I’m Roksana Regnav, and I’m no longer his pawn.
I straightened, pushing my shoulders back, and prepared myself. I was done dancing to his tune. I just had to be smart about it.
Jagon was already there, examining the contents of two vials under a fae light. When we entered, my guide turned to leave, but Jagon gestured him closer.
‘Please come, both of you. I have something to show you,’ he said calmly.
I’d never wanted to run away as much as I did right then. His calm manner meant only one thing: He’d found a way to punish me for ruining his plans—or worse, he’d recouped his losses and wanted to show me I’d achieved nothing.
‘What do you think, boy? Blue or purple?’ he asked, raising the vials and wiggling them in front of the young man’s face.
‘No! Let him go,’ I said, stepping closer while the boy shook violently beside me.
