House of Daggers

nother assassin's dagger." Wren was hovering at my side now, eyes wide, and my heart pumped with new urgency. The coded warnings

nst the walls, cast by the flickering flames of torches almost burnt out. Nig

go tip-toe to the edge, you'l

xt ambush." If I can speak to Steve directly or show him I won't be cornered,

ation underlay her strain. "Let's run. Al

for the same reason, that part remembered my people - those who relied on House Valtara's rule. Givin

hen she nodded, resigned. "How

ften changed behind elaborately embroidered curtains. "There's a servant's passage behind that. We c

steadily. "It's

cy rippling through its every thump. "Help me gather a few

rehearsing the lie I'd tell ourselves to any guard we passed. If the plan didn't wo

alace bells. An alert, perhaps, or a summons? The sharp peal echoed through the hallways, bringing new te

f the bells called for an all-out search for me, time h

ch of the space remained a sea of warm lamplight. Velvets and silks adorned every surface, lush and cloying. My heart pounded as I glimpsed him near a

y guards who might pass - and stepped forward, waving the letter we had discovered. "Yo

you had no accidents in the night?" His tone oozed with false po

crumpled pages, real anger pushing my words. "Your so-called mercenary left a bl

scrutable mask. "Yes, I hired someone, just not to kill you. Protective measures. This palace is filled with sig

to believe that story? You saw me fall and be humi

fool. You know how fragile your position is. Others want your head. I staged this in order to see

the memory of narrowly avoiding t

to rule, but only one of us can sit on the thr

een my confidant, an ally - perhaps even a friend. Now, every word from his mouth stung more. "You

r than I gave you credit for." His eyes shifted to the letter gripped in my hand, jaw se

r to enter my eyes. "Hurt me again and get the w

The atmosphere was thick, and each breath seemed to bring me closer to a collision I could not escape. I gripped the letter harder until it

ou threaten my throne, Lois, you damn yourself

a ceremonial dagger that had been placed on the table. The hilt gleamed with garnets, a bright, murder

One last chance," he said, voice perilously placid. "Pledge your

my chin upward. "You can't

some portion of your father's legacy. But if you continue to defy me-" He was too quick, bringing the dag

vered, but I didn't pull back. "Is this how you govern no

appling with the ghost of our old friendship or some vestige of love. But there was steel in

enaline raced. "Then end me no

weapon home. The polished steel tapped at my skin, and a shiver ran through me.

ow menace in my ear. "Swe

dge. Breath trembling, I stared into his eyes, visceral ha