Chapter 32

Thorne

The clink of fine silver against porcelain echoed in the vast dining hall as I took a tentative seat across from the Snake Queen. She lounged at the head of the table, her gaze fixed on me with an unsettling blend of curiosity and contempt. A dozen others from her court were in the room too, but somehow it felt as if all her attention was on me.

And as always, with a predator in the room, I was keenly aware of her, and the others—all potential prey of hers too—faded.

Around us, the gilded walls reflected the flickering candlelight, painting everything with a warm, deceptive glow.

”Thorne,” she began, her voice silky smooth, ”I do hope my kingdom’s cuisine is to your liking. If you would prefer something else… do let me know.”

The table between us was laden with an array of dishes that could feed a small army. Roasted pheasant glazed in a sweet cherry reduction, bowls brimming with exotic fruits, and pastries stuffed with spiced meats and cheeses. It all smelled delicious, but the atmosphere didn’t exactly leave me ravenous.

”Your generosity amazes me, Your Majesty.” And I hope you’re not fattening me up to eat me.

”Please.” She waved a dismissive hand adorned with serpentine rings that seemed to writhe in the light. ”Call me Aura. It’s no trouble. I like to please my guests.” She offered me a warm smile. “Especially the handsome ones.”

Hanna had told Kaelan once about her sister’s time with the Snake Queen; Aura had tried to steal Branok away from her.

Aura enjoyed her nasty little games, trying to unravel the love others had even though she’d never truly want it for herself.

Gods, every time she tried to flirt with me, I felt a fresh wave of bitterness about the thin, cursed chain around my wrist that kept me from shifting. Aura was already so cold and calculating; I could freeze her the rest of the way.

I took a bite of something that was tasteless, no matter how fragrant it was, when she was watching me with such faux-adoring eyes.

”Tell me,” she cooed, leaning forward, her eyes glinting, ”what is it like being able to fly? Do you miss the sky, Thorne?”

“Flying is the best.” I hoped my deliberate dullness might discourage her advances. I wanted her to think I was nothing but a stupid knight, standing at Kaelan’s side because he was my cousin and not because I had much to offer our kingdom.

“What does it feel like? That moment when you shift?”

“It hurts. Most couldn’t bear it.” It was a lie, of course, but I was sure she expected arrogance.

She smiled. “Of course. How long does it hurt for?”

“Just seconds. Then a rush.” The rush of adrenaline that came along with shifting was addictive; it made the pain bearable, made shifting into a vice.

Given that she could infamously shift into a snake, I was sure she knew that well, despite her pretended fascination.

“You must miss it,” she said sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Thorne. You know I trust you to wander around my court, rather than keep you in a cage. I can only do that because I know you can’t betray that trust.”

Her gaze fell to the chain around my wrist, a golden thread so faint it was barely visible against my skin.

“I would not. I am a knight.” I answered stoutly.

It was a lie, of course.

A servant poured a fresh cup of wine for me. His gaze fell on the chain, too, a quick, predatory glance that made me note his face.

Dark hair, grey eyes, would’ve been handsome if his nose hadn’t been broken twice.

“So honorable.” Her answering smile was fake. “Perhaps too honorable, Thorne.”

Her smile just made me think of the sunniness of Hanna’s smile, and the way it melted my heart every time. And that made me think of the anguish written across Hanna’s face when I pushed her through the portal.

“What was it like, becoming a knight?”

“Hard.” Especially trying to keep Kaelan in one piece and halfway decent, given the horrors his father inflicted on him.

She looked slightly affronted, as if she knew what I was doing. ”You”re quite the conversationalist.”

”Apologies, my queen,” I muttered, inspecting a piece of undercooked meat as if it held the secrets of the universe. ”I”m not much for courtly banter.”

With a dismissive wave, she turned her attention to her other guests, the flicker of irritation in her eyes telling me I had successfully dodged her trap—for now.

The servant clutching the wine jug, who had served us earlier, stood with his back to the wall and posture perfect. His gaze was too intense, too focused, as he watched Aura… and me. It was the look of a hunter, not a servant seeking a half-empty cup to refill.

I observed him from the corner of my eye, taking in the way he moved with subtle grace that seemed out of place among the rest of the staff.

If my instincts were right, which they often were, this man was here with a purpose besides serving wine.

As I continued to play the part of a knight too stupid to even flirt, I kept an eye on him. His hands shook when he poured the queen’s wine, which was understandable—I noticed her amused, and not at all displeased, smile—but no one else seemed to notice it was an act. His chin didn’t quiver; the fear didn’t reach his eyes.

He moved back to his position. Our eyes met for a brief second, just long enough for me to glimpse the flash of recognition in his—recognition that his cover might be blown. It was like two predators locking gazes in the wild, then backing away.

I certainly didn’t mind if he assassinated Aura. Sooner rather than later would be preferable.

“My queen, may I be excused?” I asked.

“Are you going for another walk in my old gladiatorial pit?” she asked curiously. “What draws you out there, over and over?”

It was an abandoned place to walk where I could freely try to break the enchanted bracelet that bound me.

I was sure my sister Alys could break the damn spell. But I was trapped.

Despite the weight of the crystal in my pocket, the one that could recall me home if I could use my magic. When I was ready. I wasn’t stupid enough to sacrifice myself without a plan.

“It reminds me of home.”

“I can’t imagine it’s icy and unpleasant enough to really remind you of home,” she teased. “Yes, Thorne, you’re dismissed.”

But before I could do more than thank her and rise from the table, she added casually, “You know, I’ve been thinking about reviving that old tradition. The amphitheater and gladiators’ barracks has been empty for so many years.”

It sounded like a threat.

I didn’t intend to make my stay here permanent.

I made my goodbyes, pretending not to understand what she was implying.

I was in the empty corridor leading down to the abandoned theater when I caught the faintest sound behind me.

The imposter servant was following me. He was very good… but not good enough to surprise me.

Gods, sometimes I was jealous of Hanna’s dragon form. I wished I could incinerate people.

I whirled to face him. “Hello, friend.”

He made a split second decision as soon as he knew he was spotted. He lunged, and his knife sliced through air where I had been a heartbeat earlier.

With practiced ease, I grabbed his wrist, twisting it in one fluid motion, hearing the satisfying crunch of bones that spelled victory for me, agony for him. The knife clattered to the floor.

”You need practice,” I taunted, even as I used his momentary shock to slam him against the wall, pinning him with the weight of my body. “Are you a thief? An assassin? Spy? What are you, besides barely competent?”

“Fuck you.”

“If I had a broken wrist, I’d be so polite.” I turned his wrist, just a tweak really, and he made some high pitched noises about it.

”Who are you?” I questioned, my voice low and dangerous, a stark contrast to the amiable fa?ade I”d maintained at dinner. I needed answers, and time was one luxury I couldn”t afford.

”Go to hell,” he spat, defiance etched onto his face even through the pain.

”Was planning on a longer stay here, actually.” I tightened my grip, just shy of crippling. ”But let”s focus on you. Talk, or I make sure you can”t hold a knife again in the other hand.”

With the man”s arm still twisted in my grip, I fished out a vial from my pocket. It was a purely herbal concoction—no magic whatsoever—that I had sourced from the Snake Queen’s garden.

She had left me unattended and unsupervised too long, thinking that I was useless without my magic. I had hoped to find someone I could use to strip the power from the enchantment burning against my wrist.

”Drink,” I ordered, pressing the vial to his lips. His eyes widened, but his lips sealed defiantly. ”I’m a good friend to have. You can tell me all your secrets.”

He tried to shake his head, but I wasn”t in the mood for resistance. A quick jerk of his injured arm had him gasping, compliance won through pain. As the potion worked its magic, I watched his features slacken, his will eroding beneath the spell.

”Who are you?” I asked again, and this time, he spoke without hesitation.

”Rolan,” he confessed, his voice now a shadow of its former self. ”I”m here for Carelle’s sake.”

Carelle.The name echoed in my mind, a piece to a puzzle I hadn”t even known existed until now. ”Go on.”

”The queen has been so vicious to her,” he muttered. “Coming across the border to kill her.”

Wait… had the Snake Queen’s visit to Ekardo been just one of her many errands within the Grey kingdom?

”Why is the Snake Queen trying to kill her?” I pressed, keeping my tone even.

“Because Carelle realized she could be queen. That she was King Kallus’s daughter.”

King Kallus had died so fucking inconveniently years ago, and thrown the world into even greater chaos.

“Carelle is an heir to the throne?” How the hell did a queen keep that a secret?

”Believe so,” he slurred. ”Carelle must be protected.”

”Where is she now?” I needed to know more, to gather every shred of intelligence before it was too late.

”Hidden. Safe.” His eyelids fluttered, the potion dragging him toward unconsciousness.

“Why are you trying to protect Carelle? What were you going to do here?”

“I love her.” The words were a dreamy whisper. His eyes closed.

”Stay awake!” I snapped, giving him a slight shake. There would be time for sleep later—for both of us.

”Can”t...” he mumbled, going limp against the wall.

I eyed him, considering letting him crumble, but then sighed and threw him over my shoulder. I’d stow him somewhere in the amphitheater to sleep off the spell, somewhere he’d be safe.

Carelle could be an ally. But somehow, I had the feeling she’d be a pain in the ass.

Still, we needed someone on the throne and the Grey kingdom resistant to the Snake Queen’s meddling.

Kaelan needed to know we had another piece we could play in the game against the Snake Queen.

And while I’d always had every intention of surviving, I had to make sure I got out of here alive to tell him.