Chapter 27

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

ALYX

D o I use this as a reason to ditch the gathering? Absolutely.

Do I make excuses? No.

I am to be queen, so I can do whatever I want, and if they have a problem with it, then I’ll just play dumb and pretend I got lost. Luckily, Orion gave me a perfect exit. My maids are nowhere to be seen, and no other partygoers are hiding down this hallway. Picking up my skirts, I turn and hurry farther down the corridor, knowing there must be a door somewhere.

It doesn’t take me long to find it, and I burst out into the cool afternoon air just as some guards pass. They frown and slow to look at me, so I drop my skirts and give them my sharpest cutting look until they hurry on. Shaking my head, I walk quickly down the stone steps before someone realises I’m gone. I have an idea where Joha might be, but I need to speak to him right now.

I need to know if I’m right or not.

Luckily, I have already mapped out the palace, and I find the meeting chambers, or Windfall Hall as they call it. Ignoring the guards, I hasten up the steps to the closed wooden doors, but I come to a stop when they press their arms across it.

“Princess, they are in a meeting. Please return to your rooms, and we will let the king know?—”

“Move. Now,” I order.

They share a look, but then they shake their heads. “It is improper?—”

I move closer, pressing the soft soles of my slippers to his boots, narrowing my eyes. “I am to be queen. Do you really wish to annoy me?” He blanches at the implication. “Didn’t think so. Now, I need to see the king, so either move or I will move you.”

“Princess, please,” the other implores, clearly realising they are backed into a corner. They will probably get in trouble for this, but I cannot find it in me to feel sorry for what I am about to do.

Knowing this won’t work, I step back with a new plan in mind. “You’re right. I apologize—oh my gosh! What is that? Is it an assassin?” I point to the side with a fake gasp.

They snap to attention, pulling their swords from their sides as they turn and hurry to face the threat.

Morons.

Nobody can resist a damsel in distress. Sniggering to myself, I hurry past them since they are distracted and open the wooden door, striding into a long room where men sit around a table. All turn to me with wide eyes, a mixture of shock and anger greeting me. They wear an array of coloured robes, which swish as they surge to their feet. I ignore them all, my eyes focused on a bored-looking Joha, who quickly blinks and stands, frowning at me.

“Alyx?” he queries, his gaze dropping to my body. His eyes widen as he takes in my dress.

I’ll admit that it feels good to see him checking me out, but we have more important things to deal with.

“My king, this is improper,” one of the scholars protests.

“Very.” I nod in agreement. “You will have to excuse me. I just had to see my king.” I bow my head respectfully, demurely, and look up through my lashes. “This is all so new to me, and I am very lost. Please excuse my ignorance, my lords. I know how very busy and important you are, but may I steal a moment of your king’s time?”

It works—flattery always does with men like this.

“Well, we can understand it’s a lot to learn. Things may be different here than in your land, Princess,” one of the men replies.

“You are too kind, sir.” I bow deeply, laying it on thick.

“You are all dismissed,” Joha booms out, eyeing me worriedly.

“My king?—”

“I said, you are dismissed,” he warns, turning his eyes to the table, giving them a dark look. I have to hide my smirk as I watch. It’s a very sexy look on his usually emotionless face. Ignoring their grumbles, we wait for them to file out of the room, and only when the doors shut do I straighten. Ignoring him watching me, I head over and hop onto the table, swinging my legs as I watch him.

I expect him to be angry at me barging in, especially after last night, but what I don’t expect is for him to slump in his seat, his chin perched on the palm of one hand as he rubs his head with his other hand. “Thank you, that meeting was so tiresome. I mean, how many times must we discuss taxes?” he complains.

Laughter tumbles out before I can control it. “You’re welcome. I’m not here to rescue you though.” I wink as I slide off the table and lower my voice, all traces of laughter gone. “I need to know the description of the person who saved you last night.”

His eyes cut to me. “Orion?” he queries, knowing he was the only person who would tell me this. I smirk, and he rolls his eyes at my lack of an answer. “Why?”

“I have a theory. Indulge me, my king,” I reply.

“I have a feeling indulging you wouldn’t be wise,” he mutters but straightens and quickly lists what he remembers of the person who rescued him last night.

Just like I thought.

Cruz saved the king, but why? He hates him, and he would take any opportunity to get me back home, so surely letting the king be killed would accomplish that?

“Well?” Joha prompts, interrupting my thoughts, and I blink and bring him back into my vision. “Alyx?”

JOHA

Her eyes flash as she stares at me, lighting up with recognition. She knows who saved me. I wait impatiently, my eyes sweeping down her body once more before I jerk them back to her face. She looks different today. The juxtaposition of the leather-clad assassin last night with this perfect princess is throwing me off. The deep emerald dress only enhances her tanned skin, and the way it drapes across her body protectively reminds me of armour, yet the cut-out across her chest has me swallowing hard.

I remind myself that Alyx is an assassin and her body is an extension of that, a weapon that she wields effortlessly. Even now, as she slides from the table, each movement is lithe, graceful, and purposeful. She exposes some of her tanned leg, drawing my eye there to seduce and distract me.

Does she even know she’s doing it?

Does she even know that I have to fist the wood of the chair to stop myself from reaching for her? She is beautiful, and that is just as much of a weapon as any blade. She is deadly, and I can’t afford to forget that. She is no mere woman, she is death itself, and falling into that trap might bring pleasure but also my end.

Would it be worth it?

Would death be worth it for one taste?

Her words snap me from my dangerous thoughts, and I ignore the heating of my cheeks as I force my eyes to meet hers. “I know. I’ll be going now.”

“Who was it?” I demand as I stand.

She stills, eyeing me. “Death. If you see him again, run, Joha. Run and do not look back.”

“I am not afraid. I have faced you, and you are like the Grim Reaper,” I joke, but it falls flat as she steps closer with a swish of her skirts, almost touching me, and my breath catches at her proximity. She peers up at me through her lashes, her painted lips curving in a wicked smile. She is enough to tempt any man, never mind a king.

“And even the reaper answers to death. Who do you think taught me?” She lets those words drop into my stomach like lead as I swallow. “If he saved your life, it was not a kindness, Joha. Do not mistake it for one. Run if it is not too late.” She steps back, freeing me from her spell, and I inhale deeply as she turns to leave.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“They are stepping up their schedule. We need to make a move,” she calls casually.

“And do what?” I ask, feeling like I am playing catch-up. Even though I am king, she’s pulling my strings, I answer to her and she knows it.

She glances over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with mischief as they meet mine, and grins.

“Alyx, what are you going to do?” I call as she starts to move towards the door once more. “Alyx.”

With her hand on the doorknob, her words reach me. “You’ll see, my king. You’ll all see.” She disappears as quickly as she came, leaving two bewildered guards looking at me before they drop to their knees.

“Your Majesty, forgive us, we could not stop her.”

“Nobody can,” I reply, but when they give me concerned looks, I realise I am smiling. Clearing my throat, I give them a stern look. “Back to your positions.”