Crush the King (Crown of Shards #3)(55)



No one responded, but once again the collective scent of their worry filled the air.

“I need to show Maximus, Driscol, and everyone else that I’m fine, and that it takes more than a fight with a few assassins to hurt me. I can’t show any sign of weakness. Otherwise, Maximus and Driscol will just keep sending assassins until one of them gets lucky and finally kills me. We need to make the bastards think twice about coming after me again. We need to make them hesitate. That’s the only way we’re going to get an advantage over them.”

Sullivan’s lips pressed together into a tight, unhappy line, but he didn’t argue. Neither did Paloma, Serilda, Cho, or Auster. They all knew how important this was.

“I’m going to the ball,” I repeated. “So go get Calandre so she can help me get ready.”





Chapter Thirteen


Calandre didn’t like the thought of my going to the ball either, but she and her sisters prepared me for the evening.

The thread master outfitted me in a beautiful gown made of light gray silk. The dress had a boat neck and sleeves that stopped at my elbows to show off the silver bracelets—gauntlets—on my wrists. Two large crisscrossed swords done in bright silver thread glittered in the center of the bodice, while the same sword pattern circled the small band around my waist before spreading down and covering the long, full skirt. The sword pattern could also be seen in sparkling silver thread on the closed toes of my gray sandals.

“I modeled the swords on your dress after the ones on the Seven Spire columns,” Calandre said in a proud voice. “I wanted you to take some of our gladiator tradition with you to the ball.”

I smoothed my hands down the skirt. “It’s beautiful.”

Calandre beamed at me, then stepped back so her sisters could do their part. Cerana curled my black hair into loose, pretty waves, while Camille covered my eyes with shimmering silver powder and liner and added some deep plum-colored berry balm to my lips.

Once they finished, I studied my reflection in the mirror over the vanity table. Cerana and Camille had done a masterful job, and not a trace of paleness remained in my face from the blood loss or the poison. Perhaps knowing that I looked better made me feel better as well, because the last dregs of my lethargy finally, fully vanished.

I thanked Calandre and her sisters, then shooed them out of the tent. When I was sure they were gone, I went over to a wooden jewelry box sitting on one of the tables. I opened the top and pressed on a button hidden inside the purple velvet lining. A secret drawer popped out of the bottom of the box, revealing a small glass vial. I held the vial up to the light, studying the clear liquid inside.

Wormroot.

Sullivan had distilled the poison before we’d left Seven Spire, and I had tucked it away in this jewelry box, which had belonged to Maeven. It had seemed like an appropriate hiding spot, given that she had used the same poison to murder the Blairs.

Auster was right. As a group, we couldn’t get close enough to cut down Maximus with our weapons, but perhaps I, as the queen, could do the deed on the sly. I would much rather risk myself than my friends again, which was why I wasn’t going to tell them that I was carrying the wormroot. Perhaps an opportunity would present itself for me to poison the king during the ball. My fingers curled around the vial. I hoped so.

I slipped the poison into my dress pocket, then stepped outside where my friends were waiting.

Sullivan was sporting dark gray leggings and boots, along with one of Calandre’s designs—a short, formal light gray jacket with silver buttons that featured the same sword pattern as my dress. An actual sword dangled from his belt, along with a dagger.

Paloma was wearing a dark green tunic with gold thread stitched in a jagged zigzag pattern that looked like teeth circling her neck and eating down her sleeves. Her blond hair was done up in a lovely crown braid, while golden shadow and liner brought out her amber eyes. Her mace dangled off her belt like usual.

Serilda was dressed in a white tunic with a black swan stretching across her chest, along with white leggings and black knee-high boots. Her blond hair was slicked back from her face, and black shadow ringed her blue eyes. She too was wearing her usual sword and dagger on her belt.

Cho had changed into a fresh ringmaster’s uniform of a red jacket over a ruffled white shirt. He didn’t have a weapon, but he didn’t need one. As a dragon morph, he could easily shift into his other, larger, stronger form and be more than a match for any enemy.

Captain Auster was sporting a sword, along with a light gray jacket that featured my crown-of-shards crest done in silver thread over his heart. Several guards also wearing gray jackets and swords waited in the distance.

Sullivan took my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. “You look lovely, highness,” he whispered in a husky voice.

He straightened, and I smoothed my hands down the front of his jacket, feeling the heat of his body radiate out into mine. “You look pretty handsome yourself.”

I drew in a breath, letting his vanilla scent sink deep into my lungs. Sullivan grinned, his eyes as bright as blue stars.

Captain Auster cleared his throat. “Anytime you’re ready, my queen.”

I took Sullivan’s arm and headed toward the steps that led from our campsite down to the river. We quickly made our way across the plaza with its Seven Spire–shaped fountain and over to the Perseverance Bridge. I stopped and gestured at Auster, who strode forward.

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