King of the Seditious

THE NAUVREE

You’re a terrible liar! The Nauvree realized staring at the Forever Knight tracker in appall.

Rhyers! Now when he needed his brethren’s support to extract him from the middle of this lover’s quarrel, Rhyers’ ingenious faculties failed?

The Nauvree’s eyes narrowed on the other man. How can you be a spy and be that bad of a liar?

Rhyers shrugged and waved his hands helplessly.

Savage Jack finally withdrew his hand.

He doesn’t want me to leave him alone with her. The Nauvree realized, feeling a quick pang of guilt for leaving a brother in need. The Nauvree tossed him a sympathetic glance before striding from the room in pace with Rhyers.

“Why are you upset with me?” His tone was icy.

What does he feel when she rants at him? The Nauvree wondered, not for the first time.

“Because you never share anything with me! You know this is the divide between us. You are feeding the people of Ardae?” She dropped it like oil lit on fire in the middle of the room.

The Nauvree pushed Rhyers’ back, urging him to walk faster. We need out of range for him to catch us.

He won’t appreciate me spilling his business.

The long silence from inside the room was confirmation of that.

“Dimurah…” His voice dropped.

SAVAGE JAXSON

That traitorous bastard! How’d he know what I was doing with the goods?

It wasn’t hard to figure out that while delivering goods with Sebastian the people had admitted they’d already received stores.

I didn’t need them. They had better use for the supplies.

It was Sebastian doing it every year that gave me the idea.

Now Nauvree uses the information to incite Dimurah against me? But he slowed his temper and tuned out her frustrated accusations long enough to puzzle it out.

No. Unlikely.

He’d have no reason. Though Savage considered Dimurah the most beautiful woman breathing he was aware Nauvree was deeply enmeshed with the Nightway Princess.

He’s confessed as much to me.

So why upset Dimurah? His eyes flitted side to side as he stared at the floor. Working it out.

He was curious. And I didn’t answer.

He lifted his head to look at the beautiful redhead. Astonished by her beauty in the blue satin. His favorite color on her. And this gown had clearly been fitted to her. Her face beautifully framed in a way he’d never seen before. Infinitely gorgeous. But soft. Softer than me. Which was one of the reasons he cherished her.

But it’s why Nauvree thought he could get an answer from her.

He didn’t tell her. He asked her about it…He sucked in his cheeks. Deciding that was the most likely.

And this reaction…This is from her being blindsided by a question and exploding. Which explained Nauvree’s shocked expression when I walked in. He didn’t anticipate infuriating her.

It wasn’t intentional. He concluded. He wasn’t trying to interfere. It was the most logical conclusion.

Now to the problem at hand.

This one is much more complicated.

“I’ve told you, Murah.” He softened his tone. “I can’t tell you without endangering you.”

If Cimmerii know you know, they’ll torture you to find out.

I can’t let that happen.

Not to you. Not ever.

“What is your goal? What are you doing in Ardae? You have hands in everything. And your reach is expanding. I’ve seen it. Why? What do you really want?”

She’s not going to stop without an answer. Not this time. He quickly assessed out what he could tell her with minimal information.

“I want to rip apart the queens and kings of Ardae. Until there are only people. Good people. I’m going to weed out the evil in this country. Piece by piece. Is that what you wanted to know Dimurah?”

Too much.

I had no choice.

“That’s impossible!” She declared. Tossing her arms in aggravation.

“Not for me.”

“How could you possibly think that?” She stomped. Small hands fisting.

I don’t think. I know.

“Because I’ve seen the inner workings of it. Watched it unfold before my eyes. I’ve seen how people are turned. And I want to shred the heart of its power.”

“How?”

“By killing him.”

Radix Malorum.

“Him?”

“Yes.”

“You’re implying it stems from one person.”

“What contaminates are day is all ruled by one.”

“One person could not possibly command all evil in Ardae.”

“He can if he has the most feared warlord ever born. Backed by the most powerful force in Ardae.”

“Is that true?” She peered at him curiously.

“Yes.”

“Who’s the warlord?”

His lips whitened and he shook his head slightly. “Don’t press me further then I can go, Murah.”

“Fine.” She put her fists on her hips. After she studied him a long while her hands dropped, and her expression eased. Cheeks flushing in pleasure as she took in how much he’d just confided. “Thank you, Jax.”

He lowered his head toward her. “You’re welcome, Murah.”

Savage persuaded Dimurah to return to the Blue Lark with him.

“Are you really taking me back?” She asked him for what had to be the hundredth time.

He groaned impatiently from across the carriage, Rhyers was sending them in. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was looking down his nose disapprovingly at her. “What else can I do with you? Every effort I make to keep you safe, you foil with your stubbornness.”

“I don’t want to be alone in that fortress. I want to be where you are.”

“You can’t always be with me!” He tossed his arms.

“Now you have me owing The Nauvree a favor.” He grumbled at her.

She blushed and ducked her head. “I’m sorry, Jax. I just wanted to be with you.”

He sighed and relented. Leaning forward. “I know. But you must listen to me. Once we’re back in the Blue Lark, we’re going to have to be very careful.”

“Because of the coin being offered for me.”

“It’s not to turn you in, Murah.” He caught her hand and folded it between his to bring it to his lips. Kissing the back in a possessive way. “It’s for your head.”