and unify our country.
I tilted my chin up and stole a kiss from my anam-cara. Together, we’d get through this. Just like we always did.
Epilogue
Yazmin
The throne room in Wilheim was empty, save a handful of guards stationed at the entrance. I could feel the weight of their lethal stares digging between my shoulder blades as I strolled forward. The pale, ocean-blue runner edged in gold ran the considerable length of the room, right up the stairs of the raised dais. A single throne waited, unoccupied. Gold leaves formed a shiny highback, and the smooth seat reflected light from the circular windows in the ceiling. Potted plants, lush and vibrant, surrounded the dais, giving the throne an earthy appeal. Between that and the stories-tall mosaic windows at its back, the whole place almost seemed magical.
I hated every square inch of it.
Slowly, I climbed the steps and stopped before the throne. Trailing my fingers along the gilded arms, I only halted when muffled footsteps sounded behind me. My body tensed, but I forced myself to relax. To smile. To set my plan in motion. Turning, I faced the man who’d help me accomplish my dreams, knowingly or otherwise.
“King Varek. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
He was hardly anything remarkable. Brown hair peppered at his temples. Hawkish features and sunken eyes. His beard was oiled and gleaming in the light from the windows, and while I’m sure he did that to look presentable, it only made him look greasy. His jeweled platinum crown was heavy and covered in diamonds. A silver griffin was embroidered across the chest of his navy tunic. My fingers itched to tear it off and set it on fire.
Not now. Now was the time for games. For strategy.
The man eyed the space where my fingers rested on his throne. Well, his throne for now. “Yazmin, is it? Crown of the Charmers Council?”
“That’s correct.” I removed my hand and walked down the steps to meet him at the base of the dais. “I’m humbled you agreed to see me.”
He was right to look wary. But I knew he wouldn’t deny me. Not now. Not with the offer I’d present. He had the audacity to circle me—as if searching for weapons, as if his Sentinels hadn’t already done so—but I allowed it. I was amiable. Weak. In need of his assistance.
That’s what he needed to believe.
Clasping his hands together, he came to stand before me. “What can I do for you? I spoke with your envoy already this month.”
“You’ll no longer be dealing with him.” I tempered my anger and put on a gentle smile. “From now on, I will be your point of contact with the Charmers.”
He turned his back to me and climbed the steps to his throne, reclining into it and regarding me with distrust. “My Sentinels tell me that you have something to offer me. Quite different than any previous visit I’ve had from your kind.”
The way he elongated the word kind made my skin crawl. For the cause. For Ocnolog. For my people, I would endure. No, I would prevail. Even if it meant dealing with this monster for the time being.
“It’s true. Tell me, King Varek, what would you say if I could offer you a way to unify all of Lendria, Charmers and Wilheimians alike, while simultaneously serving Aleksander Nocsis Feyreigner’s head to you on a silver platter?”
The king stilled in his throne. “Then I’d say that you and my dear friend have much in common.” He waved his hand to one of his guards, who slipped through a hidden door and returned with a man I didn’t recognize.
For a moment, my heart stilled. This was my plan. Who could put forth a more seductive offer than me? No one would take this throne, this world, from me. Certainly no pawn with dreams of placing a crown on his head.
The newcomer stood before us and gave a half-assed bow that reeked of arrogance. His curled brown hair skated just above his shoulders, and amber eyes full of deceit moved from King Varek to me. Shadows drifted from his frame and skated along the floor. An obvious display of power.
“This is Darrien, a former member of Cruor. He too, would like to bring me Aleksander’s head.” King Varek reclined in his chair and steepled his fingers.
I tried to keep my voice level. “The beasts in my arsenal are far more dangerous than a single assassin.”
Darrien raised a brow. “Is that so? I believe Noc