Page 101 of To Save a Kingdom

At the use of his last name, he froze.

“You think I don’t understand how it feels to have no power and be surrounded by people who would use me as a pawn for their own benefit?”

He met her eyes for a heartbeat. His throat worked on a swallow as his jaw went slack at whatever he saw there.

It was her turn to back him across the room. “My father married me off to a magical serial killer—a serial killer! Just so he could get the title to one more port city and become father-in-law to the king. And when I rescued him from Malkov’s dungeon, he had the audacity to chastise me for ruining his schemes to save my own life. For the last week I’ve been surrounded by people who think they’re powerful enough to tell me how to live and whom to marry, all so they can advance their own agendas.”

Elessan came to a stop against the far wall as Aliya stepped close, ramming her finger bruisingly into his sternum.

“So don’t you dare tell me I don’t understand what it feels like to be on the wrong side of power. Because I know full well, and I’m going to let you in on a little secret, Svialto.”

He flinched and something inside her bared its teeth in a cruel smile.

“The people around you only have as much control over you as you give them. No more. So, if you don’t like the dynamic, then it’s up to you to decide what you’re willing to risk to change it.”

Something that may have been approval, lust, or both flashed in his eyes.

She grabbed the warm feeling spreading low in her stomach and shoved it away. Now was not the time to let herself get derailed by a pair of stunning lilac eyes, even if they did fuzzy things to her insides. Because those were the eyes of someone who had followed her advice. He hadn’t liked the power dynamic, so he had married into the sun elf royal family.

And now, they could never be together. Not officially. Her knees trembled, ready to buckle.

When he spoke, Elessan’s voice was deep enough to reverberate through her bones. “And what are you willing to do about your power dynamic?”

She scowled at him, wrinkling her nose. “Stick around and find out.” Spinning on her heel, she stalked across the room toward her bedroom. “Or leave with your father-in-law,” she tossed over her shoulder. “Your choice.” She didn’t care what he did.

Really, she didn’t.

She was mere steps from escaping to the privacy of her room when the door to her suite opened.

“Your Majesty?” One of the guards stationed outside stuck his head into the room.

She turned to face him. “What?” The question came out more acidic than she expected, and the guard blanched. Taking a deep breath, she brushed her hands down her skirt. “I’m sorry, lieutenant. That was uncalled for. What can I do for you?”

He cleared his throat. “There’s a Jalius Cogtinker here to see you.”

Aliya blinked. Jalius?

The rest of the world came rushing back in, filling the space that had been just her, Elessan and her aching heart. Brooks’ hostages may have been freed, and his little insurrection dealt with for the moment, but the man himself was still locked in her dungeon, and the entirety of her royal council were traitors and had fled to who knew where.

She had one huge mess to clean up, and it wasn’t even lunch time yet.

Aliya rubbed her palms over her eyes to rid them of any betraying wetness.“Send him in.”

The sentry dipped his head and stepped back. A breath later, the small gnome strode inside. His gray hair, as always, stood on end in a storm of tangles. Pushing his spectacles up his nose, he eyed her before glancing at Elessan.

Aliya’s shoulders slumped. “What can I do for you?”

He gestured to the heavy book he held in one hand. “I thought now would be a prime opportunity to go over the spell you thought the Arcane Inquisitor performed?”

Ah, yes. And then there was that.

The gnome’s eyes flickered between her and Elessan again. “Unless I’ve caught you at a bad time?”

Exhaling, Aliya shook her head. “No, now’s fine.” The sooner they figured this out, the sooner they could try and execute Brooks, and the better off the realm would be.

Jalius sidled up to her desk and heaved the book onto it with a crash.

Aliya froze as something popped into her mind. “Can shapeshifters make jewelry to hide their eye color?”