The Throned Crown

burning against his palm. The bound man knelt before him, his chest

deflect. To stall. But Cassiel's piercing gaze held him captive, the

calm but carrying a cruel edge. "Or woul

d his carefully woven disguise would crumble. But if he followed through, he'd cross a li

ou, Ca

within him. His hand tightened on the hilt of the sword as he

ivered, his voice barely a

lric's chest. He couldn't falter

as much for the prisoner as for himself. He

head, his expressio

risoner's. For a moment, time seemed to freeze, t

he st

didn't f

of the sword into the side of the prisoner's head.

their shock palpable. Aelric turned, his expr

s too swift for a traitor. Let him live and face jus

to choke. Cassiel's eyes narrowed, a flicker of s

ssiel asked, his tone l

ed, his gaze unwavering.

in his eyes threatening to break. Then, to Aelric's surpr

ng," Cassi

l. Have him bound and delivered to the dungeons. I expect to see his exe

s," Aelric said, i

fluid and regal. Before riding off, he

aid, his voice low, "don't hesi

s stallion forward, disa

eart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to appear ca

led-and bar

others back to the palace, he couldn't shake th

th fire, a voice

wasn't a man to let

That

sting on the table before him. It was clean now, wiped free of blood

el's piercing gaze

d to himself, his jaw tig

d him, why not act? Why

ess

Aelric's hand went instinctively to his dagg

anded him a folded piece of parchment. "From Hi

lded the note, his eyes scannin

al Th

y tested. But loyalty proved thro

l join me on th

as

mpled the note in his fist. The hu

s time, there would