Page 66 of Fated to the Wicked King

“Then I shall deal with that when the time comes.”

Gregory shot back, “You mean kill everyone?”

“As the most powerful king on Wünder, it is my duty to cleanse this land.” His Majesty slid a narrow-eyed glance at him. “We all must sacrifice for the greater good. And since your kingdom has clearly been infected as well, I shall be dealing with Lucerne next.”

“What?” Gregory’s anger finally burst through his carefully tempered countenance. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” He charged at him. “You vile, wicked⁠—”

Sophie rushed to block his way. “Brother, don’t.”

Struggling against her grip, Gregory gritted his teeth, heaving in rage. “I’ve had enough of this disgusting charade. Sophie, we are leaving now.”

As if he wanted to rub salt into the wound even further, the Wicked King scoffed, “Of course you will. You are a coward.”

“Bastard!” With a furious growl, Gregory pushed past Sophie to draw his sword. He drove forward, his weapon cutting cleanly through the air toward the king’s shoulder in a precise and well-practiced strike, the kind that should have forced any opponent onto the defensive.

The Wicked King drew his sword so fast, I barely glimpsed it. Steel rang sharply as he deflected the blow, his movement so minimal it was almost insulting. He stepped back only a fraction, not even attempting a counterattack as though he were merely observing rather than participating.

The king noted Gregory’s retreat instead of advancing again. “Oh, what is it? Are you afraid of fighting me?”

Gregory’s eyes flickered. “You have an unfair advantage with your magic.”

My jaw almost dropped. That was his concern?

The king lifted his shoulders. “Let’s say I won’t use my magic then. Are you afraid you are still no match for me?”

“I back down from no challenge,” Gregory seethed. “Use your magic if you must. That only makes you cowardly. But I will fight to the death if that’s what it takes to save my people from your tyranny. How do you respond?”

I groaned out loud. “Gentlemen, there is no need for any of this⁠—”

The king cast me a nonchalant glance. “Look here, witch, it seems the good prince means to negotiate once again.” He held out his hands. “What are your terms, Your Royal Highness?”

“If I win, you must go back to your side of the river and never return.”

“Fine. I accept.”

“And Allie stays here with us,” Gregory added.

The king stiffened.

“What?” I gaped at Gregory.

“Allie is too good for you,” Gregory sneered. “Her services are invaluable. She deserves better. Sophie and I can keep her safe at Lucerne.” His gaze warmed as they met mine.

I caught my breath, already sensing where he was going.

“And…” Gregory went on. “I’d like to get to know her better. She’s exactly the type of woman I’ve been looking for.”

The king snarled, “And what if I win?”

Gregory dropped his somber gaze. “If you have any honor at all, you will kill only me. You will leave my people alone.”

The king’s eyes blazed. “I should raze your entire kingdom to the ground right now—malady or not.”

Gregory bared his teeth. “That only goes to show who the better man is even more.”

“Hey, I never agreed to this—” I called out in vain. There was no way I could step in and intervene. I met Sophie’s eyes, but she merely shot me a helpless shrug in return.

The Wicked King struck first with a swift downward slash that Gregory barely caught in time, steel crashing against steel before he twisted sharply and drove a counterstrike toward the king’s ribs, knocking into a row of potted plants that shattered across the conservatory floor in sprays of damp soil and broken ceramic.