Page 32 of Hopeless Kingdom
Thieving Eminence
I’m distracted and tired and not at all prepared for whatever parlor trick the king is about to demand of me.
A toxic sort of tension fills the span of the large dining hall. The tabletop gleams with a fresh polish while the gray tiles have a new coat of ash lining them. Dim sunlight shines across Tristan’s inky hair and he sits at the head of the table with his eyes fixated on me.
Darrio’s shoulder brushes mine as he stands on my right-hand side and Ryder stands on my left. I’m a prisoner encompassed in power.
Anna hasn’t looked up from her wine glass to acknowledge us. I assume it’s intentional based on how much attention her husband’s sending our way.
And to the king’s right sits his mother. Her shining pink lips tip up in a smile and her hazy eyes spotlight only me.
“I knew my son would bring you to me.” She nods with excitement and scurries from her seat.
“Step son,” Ryder corrects in a lazy tone.
Her attention shifts over him for less than a second before deterring back to me. A shining color gleams in her eyes as she looks up at me in awe. Only a foot of space separates this regal woman from me.
Does she remember me? Does she remember murdering my father right in front of me? Does she know how often I imagine her death with vivid detail?
“We haven’t been formally introduced.” Less than a second passes before she speaks again. “Can I hug you, your Eminence?” Her voice is quiet and unsure but her eyes are big with excitement.
She wants to hug me? She trusts me to not rattle the life out of her elderly frame?
“Of course,” I say with the breathy tone I imagine a serene deity might possess.
Her hands wrap around me and my shoulders stiffen on contact. My arms fold around her and my palm clasps against her neck. The delicate bones of her spine are apparent against my fingertips. A thin gold chain brushes over my palm and how simple it would be to snap her perfectly held neck flashes through my mind.
As she pulls back, I bring my hands firmly behind my back, squaring my posture. Nothing but an amazed smile is all she gives me.
“You’re just as I expected you would be.”
My hair is a tangled mess that desperately needs a real brush. My clothes are stained and unwashed. A shitty attitude is all I want to offer these people.
And yet, she stares at me with pride and adoration.
She’s in for a disappointment.
“I’ve thought about it and I will release your binds.” Tristan folds his pale fingers atop the table and my gaze drags to his slight frame. “But, only yours and only after I have your word you will restore this kingdom.”
This kingdom.
Not the world.
This kingdom.
My lips pull together as I pretend to consider his offer.
Removing my cuffs won’t do him a damn bit of good. Realistically it doesn’t do me any good either …
Utter disappointment, I tell you.
He’s clearly not stupid enough to remove Ryder or Darrio’s cuffs …
“May I speak with you in private, my King?” My chin tips up, perfect posture holds my shoulders back, and I know exactly how proper I look right now.
Every single person looks at me. Even Anna sits aside her inspection of her fascinating red wine to give me the attention I apparently deserve.
His lips part, drawing attention to the thinly trimmed facial hair lining his features. A beat passes before he finally says, “Of course.”
