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I can only hope that I was right in my assumption earlier and that my slayers are close by. They take turns watching their leader. It’s a duty I performed for many years. If the slayers are as loyal to me as they were to Silas, Zorren and I have nothing to worry about. Though fifteen men would just be a warm-up for me.

A few of the soldiers dart their eyes to the doors they entered through. “You’ll never make it down the road, let alone all the way back to your ship. Because when you threaten their leader”—I pause, smile sharp and satisfied—“their queen… you’re as good as dead.”

I laugh, the amusement striking a dissonant chord that spreads unease across their faces. “That is, unless you deliver a message for me.” I lift the note between two fingers like it’s an afterthought. “Just one little note for our dear king. You see…” I smile slowly. “He knows me quite well. He’s actually very fond of me. Obsessed, you might say.” I shrug lightly. “You’d be doing him a terrible disservice by not delivering it.”

The commander shifts, his jaw ticking, finally realizing my comment about slayers surrounding the building wasn’t just a threat, but real.

I laugh again, soft and cruel. “You may speak,” I say, tilting my head. “I’m not summoning anyone until I know where you stand. I’d like to think I play a fair game.” I pause, letting the silence press against him like a blade to the throat. I can see by the way he’s watching me that he’s calculating his next move.

“So what’s it going to be, love?” My smile turns feral. “Be the king’s little errand bitch?” I take one slow, predatory step closer. “Or walk out of here alive and be mine?” I savor the hit, knowing the words land exactly where I want them to.

He finally lifts his hand and motions for the soldiers to put down their weapons. Relief slips through me as the rifles aimed at Zorren’s throat lower.

“I will deliver your note,” the commander says, voice tight, “so long as there isn’t any danger attached to it.”

“Danger?” I echo, amused. “I’m not coming with you. And if I wanted the king dead, I’d do it myself. I don’t outsource assassinations through stationery.”

I stalk toward him, letting my gaze drag up and down his frame. He’s tall, standing almost a foot taller than me. Broad. Gray hair falling into blue eyes. Wrinkles carved deep into his skin. Older than I expected, maybe forty. War has aged him.

I lift my arm slowly, deliberately, and offer the letter. His eyes track every inch of the movement, ensuring I don’t snap at the last second and rescind my truce. When I don’t, he cautiously grabs the letter and nods stiffly.

“We have a deal, then. We all leave here alive, and I’ll deliver the message.” My eyes narrow on his.

“Oh no,” I say softly, clicking my tongue. “I never said all of you get to leave.” The color drains from his face, shock and fear morphing into one.

“The ones who attacked Zorren,” I continue, turning the dagger lightly in my fingers, “will stay. I have business to handle with them.”

I half turn toward the center of the Ring, keeping one eye locked on the commander. Zorren stands where I left him, calm, alert, his weapon hidden but ready. A good student.

“Zorren,” I say, “would you point out which cowards jumped you outside the Ring that night?”

He lifts his chin. Every royal shifts uneasily, knowing exactly what comes next.

“That wasn’t the deal,” the commander growls, stepping toward me.

I move faster. My smaller dagger is at his throat before he even registers the movement. His breath catches, his blue eyes go wide, and every ounce of bravado drains from his face.

“I don’t think you have a leg to stand on in this debate,” I murmur, pressing the blade in just enough to break skin. A thin line of red blood wells, slipping down the steel.

“I want what I want. And on this island”—I lean in, voice soft, deadly—“my orders are the only ones that get met. Do I make myself clear?”

His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t move. “Zorren?” I ask without looking away from the commander.

“Yes. These four here,” Zorren says, clenching his jaw and pointing to the men who circled him that night. Cowards hiding behind numbers.

“Perfect,” I say, smirking as I pull the blade away. “I have what I want. You have what you want. Now you may leave.” I shove the commander off my blade, watching him stumble back, hand flying to his throat as pride bleeds through his fingers.

He scoffs, bitterness twisting his mouth. “What am I leaving with that I could have possibly wanted?” I meet his gaze and narrow my eyes.

“You stupid man,” I say with a soft, cruel laugh. “Your life.” That wipes the arrogance clean off him. He steps backward toward the doors, keeping his eyes on me.

“Just to be clear,” I add, “never dock on my island again. If you do…” I smile, slow and sharp. “Next time I won’t be so nice.”

He disappears through the doors, leaving the four guilty men behind. I turn back to them. Three are already trembling. One is trying not to. I smile as I face my four new possessions. They’ll be perfect tools for Zorren’s training.

Chapter nineteen

A New Rule