Page 24 of Fated to the Wicked King

I wrung out my hands to regain my sensibilities.

Fine. I still wanted him.

Which was wholly ridiculous—but no matter.

I had to focus on my next steps.

All I needed was a plan. I couldn’t pretend I could eliminate or control human emotions. As a scientist, I’d once thought I was more immune to such things than the average person. But since it had come to this, I must simply process the situation and subsequently move on.

With a satisfied nod, I fixed my hair and smoothed down my clothes.

My door creaked open as though by itself.

Eyebrows furrowing, I turned to look.

Was it time for the shadows to summon me already?

Out of nothingness, a large, furry purple cat materialized, crossing the floor.

Eyes wide, I cried out, “Chez!” before I could stop myself. “Oh.” I clamped my hand over my mouth before I triggered any sort of alarm.

Chez moseyed across the floor, that usual smirk on his face as he mewled his greeting. “Ah, I thought you had left the tower in such a hurry that you had no time to pack. Except for those bags under your eyes, I see.”

Straight to veiled insults. Typical Chez.

I almost laughed in relief. “Oh, thank god. How did you get into the castle?” I darted a glance up to the door in case guards had been summoned in response, but the hallways remained silent.

Chez set about wandering my room. Hopping up onto the tea table, he sniffed at the stale scones. “My dear, you underestimate me.”

I turned wary eyes to him. “Does he know you’re here?”

“Perhaps. It’s hard to say.” He hopped across the way to curl up on the plush couch. “Either way, I am not dead yet, so he is either permitting my presence or he is wholly unaware of it.”

I followed him to the couch. “So you haven’t spoken to him?”

“No.” His tail flicked, his tone growing serious. “I regret to say, aside from your sudden disappearance, I’ve also come to confirm a rumor that has been spreading across Wünder. There is talk of His Majesty having acquired a new sorceress. She who decides which citizens live or die.”

“What?” My jaw dropped as I sank into the seat beside him. “Oh, no. That’s not—that’s absolutely not what I’ve done—what I do. This isn’t what I wanted at all. I only wanted to help.” I buried my face in my hands.

“Might I ask, how exactly are you being so helpful to him?”

“The people. I wanted to help the people,” I corrected, before clutching at my chest. “My-my heart… It seems it still holds some residual power. I am able to sense other people’s intentions. I question the citizens, determine where their loyalties lie. I try to make sure he doesn’t hurt the innocent.”

“He’s using you as a pawn.”

I groaned. “I know that.”

Chez’s expression was flat. “This is dangerous, Allie.”

The words were out of my mouth before I could think the better of them. “He won’t hurt me.”

His big yellow eyes blinked, almost in mockery. “Are you sure? Remember, this man was once a career assassin who murdered an entire kingdom without breaking a sweat.”

I tried not to frown at the terrible recollection. “If he wanted to kill me, I’m certain he already would have.” I said it half to convince myself. I had no evidence one way or the other.

Moving closer, Chez’s fur brushed against my arm. I knew it was his way of comforting me. “Perhaps I can help you escape. I’m still quite familiar with this old castle. I should be able to find a way.”

For some reason, my stomach sank. “Um…”