Page 173 of The Crown’s Temptation

"We planned to enter the Thrykis palace. That is where we set the stone, Duke."

"Asharin. I am serious."

"As am I. I am more capable than you give me credit for."

"Fine." He grabbed my arm and pulled me behind a pillar. "Be capable. But tell me what the fuck the plan is."

I was not used to Eravic cursing at me.

Fine.

"Follow my lead. We get Avaneer in here. I kill Thrykis. You knock out Avaneer."

He stopped. "What?"

"You heard me."

"I heard something that sounded like the worst plan I have ever been made party to in my considerable years of surviving terrible situations."

"It will work."

"It absolutely will not⁠—"

"Who are you?"

King Fyris sat in his throne. He was not what I had expected. Smaller. Older. Unattractive enough that I was fairly certain he had never been handsome.

I stepped forward and bowed my head.

"Your Majesty. I have come to report a serious matter. Concerning your Crown Prince."

Fyris raised an eyebrow. He said something to the guard at the door without taking his eyes off me. The guard disappeared.

We waited.

Avaneer entered with a goblet of red wine in his hand and did not look at me once. His eyes went to the king, then to Eravic, then to the middle distance, as though whatever had pulled him away from his day was already boring him.

"This woman claims you came to her in the night," Fyris said. His voice was impatient, as though his son's assault was a minor inconvenience.

Avaneer looked at the ceiling briefly. Then at Fyris. He still had not bothered to look at me.

"I have not been with a woman in years," he said flatly. "I prefer muscle and chest hair."

"She says otherwise."

"Then she is mistaken or she is lying." He took a sip of his wine. "I have never seen her before in my life and I have no interest in seeing her again. Besides, I would pick one with better taste in clothing." He motioned toward me with disgust. "Is that all?"

"Are you lying to me?" Fyris said.

"I am not lying to you. I have no idea who she is." He rolled his eyes. "Father, we have dinner with Sir Shorvan about the properties in the West in a few short hours. I need rest and more wine before I attend. Let me go."

Fyris ignored him and turned to me. His eyes moved over my face slowly. "You are Orsin's daughter, correct?" He tilted his head. "What is your name again?" A pause that was not really a pause. "Come here."

I walked toward him with my head bowed.

I stopped just before the throne.

"I forgot to mention one thing, Majesty."