Page 124 of Happily Ever Witch
“Because I hate Trevelyan, even more than I hate you. I think you’re stronger than he is. You can win.” Marrok’s expression turned malevolent. “And I want him to lose.”
Wolves were always simple in their thinking. “Your prison fight was so long ago. You’restillholding a grudge?”
“Not for that. For what he did afterwards. I’m married to my precious Snow White, now. But I’llneverforget what Trev did to what’s-her-name, my first wife. He frightened her. Threatened her.” There was genuine anger in Marrok’s tone. “It was disrespectful tomeand he needs to pay.”
The Queen of Clubs’ barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes.
“I want Trevelyan dead.” Marrok assured her, his flawless jaw firm. His pensive expression was even more attractive than his taunting one. “I’ll take a truth potion to prove that, if you want. I’ve never been more honest about anything.”
“Oh, I believe you.Everyonewants the dragon dead.” The Queen of Clubs shrugged. “You’re trying to stop me from harming the witch, though. You and she are friends.”
“I love Ez. She’s family. Which is why I will do everything I can to get Trevelyan away from her.” Marrok met her gaze and it was like being drawn into an exclusive club. Like they had some deeper connection that lesser people could never fathom. “You understand that, I think.”
The wolf’s charisma was simply off-the-charts. The Queen of Clubs was far too savvy to fall for a gorgeous man, with silken words and bedroom eyes, but she could appreciate howotherwomen might.
“Why would I understand your feelings for that level six bitch?” She challenged.
“Trevelyan slept with Snow White. Does that makeyoufeel all warm and fuzzy inside?”
She shuddered with revulsion.
“Exactly.” Marrok nodded in deep sympathy. “It’s repulsive to even contemplate his hands on her. I can’t stand the thought of him touching Ez and he deserves to die for defiling my cherished new bride, before I’ve even kissed her.” Wolves were such possessive creatures. “So, you and I canwork together. The enemy of my enemy is my slightly-less-hated enemy.”
“What exactly are you suggesting?”
“If you agree to spare Esmeralda, I will help you bring down Trevelyan at a big showy trial. He’ll be forced to make a deal. His tricks will all be nullified.”
The Queen of Clubs considered that offer. “How can you be sure?”
“Iknowhim. You said so yourself. And I know Trev’s rigged it so only he can despell Ez. I promise you that heart-in-a-box idea won’t work, until you deal with him. And he’ll have an insurance policy, so you can’t kill him outright. You see it, too, right?”
“Iwasthinking something similar.” The Queen of Clubs reluctantly agreed.
“Of course you were! It’s all so clear. The dragon will make it so his magic is the key to some vital lock, the sneaky bastard.” Marrok sounded furious on her behalf. At leastsomeoneunderstood the pressure she was under. “He thinks we’re both idiots. …But that’s how we’ll break him.”
She sniffed. “Trevelyan is overconfident.”
“A classic narcissist.” Marrok concurred. “He’ll make sure he’s the most important piece on the board. If he dies, he’s probably set some trigger that will murder Ez, too. Then, you won’t get the spell, at all.”
That soundedpreciselylike something Trevelyan would plot.
Selfish asshole.
“He’ll never see this plan coming though.” Marrok went on. “He has no idea I’m even involved. He’ll be blindsided and off-balance. We can use that.”
The Queen of Clubs pursed her lips, her eyes on Marrok. His dislike of the dragon was palpable. No one was a good enough actor to fake it and everybody who knew the two men was aware of their feud. Plus, Bluebeard’s spell was making him loyal to Snow White. Surely that magic would carry over to her doting mother, even if the wolf was still somewhat annoyed over the chains and kidnapping.
Was there a downside to working with him? She couldn’t think of any. Marrok was still safely controlled, in restraints and magic. It made a lot more sense to use him for her own ends.
“Do you give me your word that you’ll help me defeat Trevelyan?” Wolves were simple creatures, in so many ways. Even the Bad ones tended to honor deals.
“I swear to you on my beloved Snow White’s life, I will help youannihilatethat smug son of a bitch.” Marrok pledged with predictable vehemence. “I want him reliving his worst nightmare, sobbing on the goddamn ground, and I will do my best to make that happen. Just promise me you won’t harm Esmeralda.”
“Very well.” The Queen of Clubs waved a hand. “We’ll arrest Trevelyan and threaten to sentence him to life in prison, unless he despells the witch. Once he does that, I’ll execute him anyway and let Esmeralda go.”
She had no intention of keeping her half of that bargain. The witch had to die. The Queen of Clubs wouldn’t allow anyone else to challenge her. That green-skinned nobody wouldnothave the fairest magic in the land.
Marrok was too caught up in his hatred of Trevelyan to realize that Esmeralda would never leave Wonderland alive. He sagged back in relief, smiling widely. “See, I knew this was the way to go with you.”
