The Cogsmith's Daughter (Desertera #1)(11)
“But why bring this to me? I’m a—” Aya shook her head. “You know what I am. I can’t help you.”
Varick rubbed his thumb over her hand. “Miss Aya, you are the only one who can help me. King Archon has harmed you the same way he harmed me. He remembers his wrongs to the noble families, knows each of their members by name. But you—you were a child from Portside. As harsh as it is, the king will not know your face. You are the only person who can help me catch him without being suspected.”
Aya raised her eyebrows. “And how do I help you catch the king?”
Varick shrugged. “Well, my dear, I need you to seduce him for me.”
Aya jerked her hand away from Varick’s and bolted from the bed. “Excuse me?”
“Do not worry. I have it all planned out.” Varick reached out to take her hand again. Aya did not let him. “I will take you in as my ward and give you a proper introduction into noble society. Under my protection, your presence in the palace will be safe and unquestioned. You will live in the stern and engage with the nobles. You will seek out private audiences with King Archon, and at every one, you will gain his fancy. Eventually, he will be overcome by his attraction to you, succumb to his lust, and orchestrate the betrayal of his new queen. When he does, we shall ensure witnesses are present, and he will be executed for his treachery.”
Aya crossed her arms. “And let’s say I go along with your game. Won’t I be executed right along with the king for playing his mistress?”
“Oh, no, my dear! You would not actually commit the adultery. I don’t believe the king ever does. Otherwise, why get rid of the queen? No, you simply need to seduce him so that he wants you badly enough to repeat his pattern. This way, you shall remain innocent.”
“But King Archon presides over all criminal trials.” Aya nearly laughed. “Won’t he clear himself and have me, and probably you as well, executed for treason?”
Varick wagged a finger. “Certainly not. The king’s guilt will be unquestionable when witnessed by the appropriate parties. As for his power in the trial, you will have to trust me when I say that he will not have a word in his sentencing or yours.”
Aya paused, letting Varick’s plan sink in. Assuming Varick truly could keep the trial out of King Archon’s control, all she would have to do would be make the king desire her enough to commit treason against the queen and secure witnesses for his confession. On the surface, it seemed easy, but as Aya thought about her time at the Rudder, her stomach churned.
“Varick, I would love to help you. Truly, I would. But I’m telling you, I am terrible at this profession. I can name a dozen other women in this establishment who would do a much better job than I ever could. The king deserves to die, but I fear I do not have the talent to get him killed.”
Varick grinned and shook his head, as if Aya were an obstinate child. “That may be so, but you are not understanding me, my dear. I know you. I have discussed your employment history with Madam Huxley, and I know your every flaw with men. And yes, while some of your coworkers may be more skilled in the art of seduction, I could never trust them to stay loyal to me, not when the possibility of being queen is dangled before them. But, you, Miss Aya, you have a fire within you that they cannot match. You have the ultimate motivation, one I know I will not betray me.”
Aya uncrossed her arms. “And what is that?”
“Revenge.”
Varick took off his glasses, unleashing the full force of his black eyes on Aya. She shuddered. She would be lying if she said she hadn’t fantasized about taking revenge on King Archon. She’d had a hundred day dreams in which she’d cut out the king’s tongue before he could give the order, or she’d sneaked into the kitchens and poisoned the entire royal family’s meal.
But now, now that Varick said the word so matter-of-factly, Aya’s whole body tensed. Even if she could seduce King Archon, did she really want to put her own life at stake by playing the adulteress? Did she really trust Varick’s word? Did she really want to lower herself to the king’s level and damn another person to death?
Aya shook her head. “I’m sorry, Varick, but I can’t help you.”
Varick stayed seated for a few moments. When it was clear that Aya had nothing else to say, he rose and headed toward the door. He placed one gloved hand on the doorknob before turning back to her. “If you change your mind, Miss Aya, my guards are on duty every night this week. They will happily escort you up to my estate.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Aya tried to speak firmly, inclining her head to show her sincerity.
Varick smiled, a wide, thin smile, showing all of his sharp white teeth. “If you say so.” He moved to leave her room, but before he closed the door behind him, he turned back to face her, peeking through the narrow space between the door and the wall. “I shall see you around, Miss Aya, whether or not you see me.”
With that, he departed, leaving the door open the width of his face.
CHAPTER THREE
Aya and Dellwyn left the Rudder a few hours before sunrise, when the night was at its darkest. This time, Aya and Dellwyn both wrapped their cloaks tightly around them, attempting to keep out the cold breeze. After a few moments of walking in silence, Dellwyn put her hand on Aya’s arm and stopped. “Is everything all right?”