Page 104 of To Save a Kingdom

Chewing the inside of her cheek, Aliya fought the urge to roll her eyes at herself. Of course that’s what they were talking about.

She shrugged, hoping to cover the sudden realization with a casual affect. Roland’s betrayal had thrown her off her game. “Oh, yeah.” The edges of her lips curled up in a cruel smile as she pinned the doppelganger with her stare. “I don’t know if it’s got anything worthwhile to tell us. What do you guys think?”

“At this point, if it can’t tell us where the real Brooks is, I think we’re wasting our time,” Elessan said.

“Agreed.” Zadé clicked her tongue. “Get rid o’ it, Princess, so we can get on with hunting Brooks ‘n the missing nobles ourselves.”

Turning to the construct, Aliya raised her hands, freeing a few thin fibers from the warm ball of power in her core. “Final chance to prove yourself useful.”

Wrinkling its nose, the doppelganger hissed. “You’ll never find them. Not until they’re ready for you, and by then, it’ll be too late.” The black magestone in its forehead flickered.

“Wrong.” She aimed the fireball right at the creature. “Everyone get back!”

Footsteps behind her were the only indication her companions obeyed.

Taking a deep breath, Aliya released the magic.

Blindingly bright light flooded the room. A wave of heat blasted across her face, blowing any loose strands of hair back and frying her nostrils.

With a scream that chilled Aliya’s bones, the construct crumpled like wrinkled parchment tossed into hot coals.

The antimonite manacles fell to the iron floor with a clank.

Zadé stuck her head around the edge of the door. “‘S that it? It’s dead?”

Brushing her palms off on her skirt, Aliya turned to face them. “As much as such a being can be.”

“Hmm.” Zadé eyed the cell. “Perhaps we oughta leave one o’ th’ torches burnin’ in here fer a while. Just in case.”

Furrowing her brows, Aliya spun back to the spot where the construct had been. Not even a black mark marred the floor. “Do you think?” They only had two. If they left one behind, it’d be harder to make it out of the dungeons.

“Wouldn’t you rather be certain?” Jalius asked.

Well, true. Just because it had screamed like she was filleting the skin from its body didn’t mean she’d killed it. Shadows weren’t alive, after all. “Sure. If you think it might help.”

Chapter 38

Aliya

Aliya braced both hands against the parapet. Judging from the presence of the entire sun elf army and their lack of packing, Roland had no intention of clearing his forces out of her country as she’d demanded.

She brushed her fingers through her hair, pulling it away from her face. “Valek.”

Why couldn’t people just do what she asked them?

“Yeh gunna hunt him down ‘n ask ‘im why he’s still here?” Zadé asked.

“I suppose I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” Roland was likely still grieving the loss of his daughter, which was understandable considering he’d only learned of her passing this morning. But Aliya had asked him to leave—it wouldn’t take more than a few breaths to issue the orders and have his underlings make it happen.

Elessan, who’d been her shadow since Jalius had interrupted their fight earlier today, leaned forward. “You may have to strong-arm him into going.”

“And how do you suggest I do that?” She glared at him until he had the decency to look away. Glancing up and down the wall to make sure there was still no one within hearing range, she lowered her voice to be certain it wouldn’t carry. “All I have to hold this castle is a handful of guards.” And no nobles. She waved her hand in a gesture encompassing the elven camp. “What will only a few men do against their numbers?” The reality was, if Roland decided he wanted the realm, he’d only have to demand it. She couldn’t stand against him, not until she figured out a way out of her marriage contract. Her people may not know it, but they were closer to losing their kingdom now than they’d been at any point during the Elf-Human war.

“Tsara blackmailed him into letting her marry me,” Elessan said.

Aliya’s lips pressed into a thin line as her jaw clenched. And they were back to Princess Tsara. Again.

Trying not to grimace, Aliya asked, “So? Do you have anything to hold over him that would carry enough weight to get him to give up on his designs on me and my throne?” She snorted in a very unladylike fashion. Turning to face him, she crossed her arms and gave him the side-eye. “I didn’t think so.”