Page 82 of To Save a Kingdom

Elessan swiveled his head until he pinned Walter with another glare. “No more ridiculous than you accusing me of doing anything to undermine your daughter.” Taking a step toward Aliya’s father, he jabbed one finger into the man’s sternum hard enough to force him to stumble back. “Unlike you, who has sought to do just that at every possible turn. It seems to me the most likely one to have murdered Lord Macherall is you, Baron.”

Walter’s mouth opened and closed several times, reminding Elessan of a fish lying on the bank as it gasped its final breaths.

Clearing his throat, Roland stepped forward. “As this has degenerated into nothing more than a he-said, she-said situation, and it appears the chain of custody on all evidence involved has been compromised, I can’t very well order one of my elves into your dungeon. I hope you understand.”

Walter sent Elessan a glare that could’ve filleted flesh from bone.

Elessan resisted the urge to flash him a tight-lipped smile. Best not to stir that particular fire before they handled Brooks and shored up Aliya’s power.

Aliya’s father huffed. “Fine. I shall continue my investigation until such time as more concrete proof can be presented.”

Until he had another chance to frame Elessan, he meant.

Barely managing to hold in his eye roll, Elessan snatched his dagger off the table and stuffed it into one of the empty sheaths on his belt. “And, in the future, baron, if you decide to search my rooms for something else to use to pin the murder on me, I suggest you bring backup.”

“You mean witnesses,” Roland said.

No, he’d meant what he’d said, and the threat it implied. “Of course, Your Majesty.” He flashed a smirk at Walter.

“Perhaps we can get back to the topic we were discussing before this… unfortunate interruption?” Elessan asked, more than a little relieved he was off the hook for the ridiculous accusation. “As in, the former Arcane Inquisitor and the hostages he’s taken?” And who may be threatening Aliya at this very moment.

“As my daughter is not here and didn’t seek guidance from her council,” Walter said, “I will handle this situation.”

“You’ll handle it?” Elessan couldn’t keep the disdain from his voice. Crossing his arms, he continued, “Pray tell, how will you handle it?”

The baron wrinkled his nose. “If it makes any difference to you, our artificers still have plenty of dragon sticks. Those don’t take any special power or training to use. We go in shooting and mow everyone down.”

The devastation those weapons, with their explosive black powder and silver shrapnel balls, had wrought upon the elven forces before Malkov had released the shadow dragon had been overwhelming. He couldn’t believe no one had considered using them in this. To be fair, Aliya hadn’t been present for that battle, instead being locked down in Malkov’s dungeon while he tried to tear her magic from her soul. She probably had no idea they had access to such things. But… “If you burst in there shooting blindly, you’ll be as likely to hit the hostages as any of Brooks’ men.” He paused, waiting until Aliya’s father met his gaze. “Including your own daughter.”

The baron waved his hand dismissively. “A more reasonable queen would’ve understood her value and kept herself out of danger.”

Elessan blinked, rage pushing heat and a bitter aftertaste up his throat. He stepped forward, a snarl on his lips. “Aliya is the bravest person I know. You should be working with her instead of against her. Then, you’d realize your realm has never been in more capable or compassionate hands.”

A heavy weight landed on his shoulder, pulling him back. Roland. Valek.

Elessan bared his fangs at the power-hungry baron, but he couldn’t fight his king. Not right now. “I see a cowardly, sniveling old man, who is so desperate to grasp the smallest bit of influence for himself that he would throw away his own daughter. You make me sick.” His fingers itched to draw his sword and relieve this scum of the burden of his head, but with Roland’s hand on him, he wouldn’t dare. Besides, he’d already caused Aliya enough pain today. He wouldn’t risk piling on more. Not yet, at least.

“If you do this,” Elessan snarled, “you’d best watch your back. Because if you hurt Aliya or any of the hostages with your schemes, I will come for you, and I will make you pay thrice over whatever you do to them.”

Walter narrowed his eyes and speared Elessan with a glare that, from anyone worthwhile, would’ve shaken Elessan to his core. He pointed a finger at Elessan. “You are in no position to speak, mountain elf. It’s your fault my daughter has been so negligent in her duties in the first place.”

Both of the baron’s hands had been stained red by some sort of dye.

Elessan opened his mouth, but Roland sliced his hand through the air, cutting him off. “Enough!”

Ignoring the king’s order, Elessan stepped forward and swung for the traitor’s face.

A hand whipped out, grabbing Elessan’s wrist and stopping the blow inches from Walter’s cheek.

Roland’s grip tightened until Elessan’s tendons popped and bone ground against bone.

Whirling to face the royal, Elessan bared his fangs.

“Guards! Restrain him!” Roland’s command vibrated through Elessan’s bones.

Several elves moved, wrenching Elessan’s arms behind his back. One man kicked the back of his legs, sending him to the floor. He barely noticed the impact of his knees crashing into the stone.

Elessan scanned the room, searching for any friendly face, any potential ally, but Aliya had taken the last of those with her. All who remained were the two humans and those loyal to Roland.