Crown of One Hundred Kings (Nine Kingdoms Trilogy #1) - Rachel Higginson Page 0,59

upon a time had disappeared, and in his place was a criminal who happened to have royal blood.

“How much longer?” Oliver groaned. “I hate this carriage.”

“That’s because this carriage is meant for convicts,” I reminded him. Shiksa crawled from the satchel that still rested against my hip and used her tiny claws to climb over my chest. Sensing my distress, she nuzzled her little face against mine. I closed my eyes against the feel of her fur and cold nose. I let my fingers play with her long tail while I decided how to tell Oliver the truth. “Oliver, they might deal with us like criminals when we get to the castle. They might lock us up in a cell while they investigate my claims. But Hugo, Taelon’s father, has always been just. I cannot imagine he would treat us unfairly.”

“And what will happen once he decides your story is true?”

Shiksa settled in the crook of my neck. Her tiny teeth attacked the top button of my cloak. She had grown since I first found her. “I don’t know.”

Oliver wiggled until he sat up straight. “But Arrick believes you to be who you say you are. He clearly means you no harm as he’s had abundant opportunities to slit your throat. And if this king is as fair and just as you remember him, then he might also believe you.”

I nibbled on my bottom lip. “That is a possibility.”

“Then, dragon’s blood, Tessana,” he snorted. “Arrick is our only ally. Why are you mad at him? We need him!”

I sat up and poor Shiksa tumbled off me. Her fast feet caught her before she dirtied her pure white coat on the filthy floor. Giving me a look, she jumped up to the bench again and settled herself on my lap.

“He lied to me!” I exclaimed. “He knew who I was the entire time and said nothing! What kind of man parades a woman through highway, country, and forest without at least hinting that they knew each other in a different life?” I swallowed back the rage building inside me. “Oliver, he saved my life when I was a child. He is the reason I’m alive today.”

Oliver’s eyes narrowed. “Which is a perfectly acceptable reason to hate a man.”

I made a sound in the back of my throat. I didn’t want to play this game. If I wanted to hate Arrick— dragon’s blood! If I wanted to hate Taelon, I could.

The wagon rumbled to a stop. The sounds of horses galloping over rough road ceased, replaced with shouted orders and the great creaking of wood and the clanking of chains.

When the wagon began moving again, Oliver jumped to his feet in an attempt to peer through the tiny window. “I can’t see anything!” he complained. “Oh, wait. Is that… It’s so dark out. Is that a moat? Ooh torches! We’ve reached the castle.”

The wagon lurched and threw Oliver against the door. He picked himself off the floor with a curse.

When he sat down again, he tried to hide his excitement. “I’ve never been in a palace before.”

I yawned.

“It’s like you announced you’re royalty and now I have to suffer your spoiled temperament. Your foul mood is ruining this adventure for me.”

I decided now was not the time to bring up the wildebeest, the fire, or being chased through the woods. “I apologize,” I’d meant to sound snide, but the words came out honest. “I’m just… I’m just… I cannot believe we were together for weeks and he said not one word! The man is abominable.”

“But he—”

“And now we are all but prisoners to the king of Soravale. Hugo could take this crown if he wanted. He could move the Seat of Power to Soravale and hand it to his son. And what could I do about it? Nothing. Nothing but rot in the dungeons next to murderers and thieves.”

“Tessana, enough!” Oliver snapped. “I’ve had enough. You do not have to like Arrick. You do not even have to speak to him again. But enough of this. The Crown of One Hundred Kings is not a toy that can be passed around to any monarchy lucky enough to snatch it up. You know that. Stop acting like a bratty child.”

I tried to glare at him, but his twitching smile ruined it. “I’m happy you’re here,” I told him. “I would probably stab someone very important if it weren’t for you.”

He winked at me. “I’m happy I’m here too. Nobody wants to go to