His eyes sparked with passion. “I’m not.”
“So prove it.” She went up on her tiptoes and kissed him. He grabbed her by her waist, pressed her up against the wall, and kissed her back. Hard.
“Careful. I’m getting addicted to you,” he breathed. “Considering an addiction like this could lead me to my doom, I’m not sure I like that very much.”
“The feeling’s mutual. Now come with me. I have something important to show you.”
“I’d follow you anywhere, princess.”
She led him to the grand foyer before the main entrance to the Emerald Spear. They were surrounded by windows that sent sparkling green light down upon the glossy floor.
“Is this it?” he asked, eyeing their surroundings. “It’s a bit too public for my tastes. How about we go somewhere more enclosed?”
Amara’s smile faded. “Guards!” she shouted sharply. “Here he is!”
Felix went stiff as he looked around with confusion at the dozen guards who were quickly closing in on him, their weapons drawn.
“What is this?” he asked her. “What’s going on?”
She took a deep breath and raised her chin to the guards. “Felix Graebas has revealed himself to be a rebel conspirator. He poisoned my family—he killed the emperor and my brothers.”
“Princess, what are you saying?”
“Arrest him,” she said, her throat raw.
“Are you crazy? The king won’t let this happen!”
“The king already knows what you did, and he also believes you deserve to pay for it with death.”
Amara watched as clarity, then fury, slithered into Felix’s gaze. “You soulless bitch,” he growled.
He then made the error of fighting back against the guards in an attempt to escape. The scuffle lasted only a few moments before he was overcome, beaten bloody, and knocked unconscious.
The guards dragged him away, bound for the Kraeshian dungeon and a swift execution.
Amara had found that she was starting to fall in love with Felix—and love made one weak.
This necessary sacrifice would make her strong again.
CHAPTER 23
JONAS
KRAESHIA
Jonas had spent most of his life surrounded by dirt.
But for the better part of this past week, he’d been surrounded by nothing but water—miles upon miles of it. The peaceful cool of the waves and the breeze had given him a great deal of time to think. And to mourn.
Now his mind was clear again and he was ready to follow through with his promise to kill the king.
“For you, Lys,” he whispered to himself as he stared out at the coastline of the Jewel of the Empire in the distance. “Everything I do from now on, it’s all for you.”
The ship finally docked. Jonas and Nic grabbed their satchels and headed down the gangplank.
“So this is Kraeshia,” Nic said, staring out at the glimmering city before him.
“I hope so,” Jonas replied. “If not, we took a wrong turn somewhere.”