She swallows again when her spine hits the far wall. I have effectively backed her into a corner. And I cannot pretend the sight of this evil woman brought to heel is one I will not savor for the rest of my days.
“One bloody sip,” I murmur softly, smiling as I see the fear flash in her eyes. “That’s what you said, is it not?”
Her jaw locks.
“You won’t answer? That’s fine. You can just listen while I tell you what I think happened.” I lean in and she actually flinches. “You wanted me gone. Out of your life. Away from Linus. And you saw the perfect opportunity — the champagne toast at my coronation ball.”
She tries to avoid my eyes, but I lock onto them, pinning her in place like a bug against a cork-board with my gaze.
“You were the one who laced the glasses with curare.”
She stops breathing. “No.”
“Oh, yes.” I continue. “Maybe you figured you could take out me and my father in one fell-swoop… leaving you to rule alone. Queen Octavia of Germania. Not merely a consort, but a regnant in her own right.”
“That’s not true!” she screams, eyes flashing with wrath. “Linus was never supposed to get hurt! He took the wrong glass! The poison was only ever meant for you!”
I smile at her as the admission spills out.
She goes pale, realizing what she’s done. “I mean— That came out wrong—”
“I think it came out exactly right, actually.”
“Your Majesty,” she murmurs. It’s the first time she has ever used my title sincerely; likely the last, as well. “Please, listen to me. You must understand—”
“I do. I do understand.”
“You do?”
“I understand that you attempted to assassinate me — the Crown Princess of Germania — at her coronation ball. I understand that, in doing so, you nearly killed my father, the reigning King of Germania. I understand that this attack weakened his health — perhaps making him more susceptible to the stroke that eventually claimed his life.” I lean in even closer, my whisper laced with such anger, each word shakes. “I understand that you, Octavia Thorne, are guilty of conspiracy to murder and treason against the crown.”
She slumps back against the wall, as though her legs have given out.
I glance left, to the doorway where Galizia has been hovering for several moments, watching this family affair play out with vigilance. When our eyes meet, my guard nods somberly and says something into her headpiece.
In seconds, Riggs and three other guards burst into the room. It’s clear they’ve been at the ready this entire time, an invisible safety net, fully prepared to step in if the scenario escalated.
“Take her into custody, Riggs.” I turn on one heel and head for the door. “I want her out of my sight.”
“It wasn’t me!” Octavia wails as the guards close in on her. “It was all Bane’s idea! He was the mastermind behind everything!”
I pause and look back at her. Just once. “I do hope you like the color orange, my dear stepmother. You will be spending the rest of your life wearing it in your jail cell.”
Chapter Seventeen
I can hearChloe on the phone with someone when I stop outside the door to her suite. Her murmurs are muffled by the thick oak panel, but I can still pick out a few choice words.
I know.
Okay.
I’ll take care of her.
I promise.
Love you too, brother.
I wait until I’m sure she’s hung up before I venture a knock.