Broderick glanced between the two of us, brow pinching. “And you, my queen.” He bowed over her offered hand, kissing her fingers. She no longer wore the gold band I’d given her on our wedding day.
Roisin continued past me, into the council chambers, leaving me with a pang of longing as deep as the Vellanian sea.
My former guard gave me a pointed look.
“Later,” I told him. If I was to explain all my failings, I’d need to do it over a drink. “What news from the Black City?”
He showed me a sealed letter in his breast pocket. “King Tarren desires peace and has signed the treaty.”
“That quickly?” I’d heard their dealings had gone well, but no one said Tarren had actually signed the bloomin’ thing. I should’ve been happier. “Did you learn the truth of why his ships were in our bay?”
“He claimed they were searching for a ship with black sails, captained by a pirate who stole something of great value.”
He’d sent that many ships out to comb open waters? The object must have been extremely valuable. “Did he say what was stolen?”
“I asked, but he remained close-lipped.”
What could it possibly be? I started for the chamber, theories flooding my mind, distracting me from ever-present misery. Today we would be voting on Roisin’s charity. A mere formality, since every council member was enamored with her and her brilliant ideas for supporting the poor in Vellana City. “Have lunch with me after the meeting. You can tell me more about this mysterious—”
My words evaporated when I stepped across the threshold and found Lord Kerrington holding a blade to Roisin’s throat.
Empty wine bottles had been discarded on the table and floor. The stench of stale drink made my eyes water. Behind me, Broderick cursed and reached for his weapon.
“Don’t even think about it,” Kerrington slurred, adjusting his grip on the dagger. Roisin whimpered, a drop of blood dribbling down her neck toward the glittering diamonds.
“Let me go,” she begged.
“Quiet, fae whore!”
I held out my useless, empty hands, racking my brain for some way to save her. “Put the blade down, Kerrington. We can discuss whatever is bothering you like gentlemen.”
“What’s there to discuss? You stole everything from him. Everything! And now I’m stealing everything from you.”
Kerrington jerked her head back by her hair. Roisin cried out and I managed a step forward before Kerrington’s wild green gaze froze me in place. “Come a step closer, and I’ll slice her pretty neck.”
I didn’t dare move again.
Roisin’s sparkling silver eyes held a thousand silent pleas. “Kerrington—”
He yanked her hair harder. Another drop of blood spilled toward her necklace.
“We always knew how jealous you were,” he snarled. “Saw the way you watched this one, stalking her from the shadows. And you.” His cheek pressed against Roisin’s. She winced, her face as pale as the marble beneath her feet. “Just another fickle fae. Who will you sleep with next? What about him?” Kerrington nodded at Broderick. “Maybe you already have. Huh?”
“Please, let her go.” I would get on my knees and beg, give him anything he wanted, so long as he let her live.
Heavy footfalls pounded from down the hall. If Kerrington saw what was coming for him, he could snap. “Don’t let them in,” I whispered to Broderick.
Cursing, he backed toward the door, leaving me alone with Kerrington and my wife.
“The true king died, and no one cares!” He kicked one of the empty bottles, shattering it against the wall.
“I care,” I told him.
“Liar!”
“Alrec would’ve made a brilliant king. He was strong and courageous, beloved by those around him—all things that I am not. And he loved the woman you’re threatening.”
Kerrington went unnaturally still.