Kingslayer Read Free Page B

demand answers from a veteran general. You are used to keeping secrets from your enemies, are you not?” she smiled to show that this did not upset her. “And we have certainly been enemies. But if I were to make a place for you here, in Niotan, so that you may live, would that not make you my ally?”
    So she really did think that she could do that? “How, Your Most High Majesty? As an eternal prisoner? I’d rather face the gallows.”
    Her eyes crinkled up in a true smile. “Yes, I wager you would. No, you would be a full citizen here. I would have your military advice on hand. I fear that without it, we will not be able to fend off Brindisi’s advance.”
    Even with his help, that was probably not possible. At least, not forever.
    “But I cannot offer this until I know why you killed that foolish king.” Her voice was soft, coaxing, as if speaking to a wounded animal. “Will you not tell me?”
    The opportunity in front of him could not be easily ignored. Baros had ordered him to live, but very few people would allow him that luxury when they discovered his true identity. This left him with few options. But this woman—he knew her well enough to gauge her sincerity. He had been fighting against her and her generals long enough to see what kind of monarch she was. Her loyalty to Niotan could not be questioned. Her love for the people had the fierceness that every ruler should possess. Darius admired her for those qualities alone.
    Could he trust her? He just didn’t know. But at the same time, she had a good point. She could not trust him either until she understood why he had done what he had. And his only bargaining point at the moment was this offer. If he ignored her outright, he’d likely not get another.
    So he blew out a resigned breath and faced her directly, shoulders straight, chin firm, and gave her the succinct version. “Did you know, Your Most High Majesty, that I am actually Arapeen?”
    She blinked at this apparently random question. “I did not.”
    He nodded, unsurprised. “When I rose to the rank of general, King Farhan brought me to him so that I could swear oath to him personally. I gave him the traditional oath of loyalty from Arape. Are you familiar with it?”
    Her face had become like a marble statue, expressionless. “It has been some time since I learned of it. Refresh my memory.”
    Darius kept his tone flat and level, staring at the floor, as he recited, “I offer you this: my strength until it has failed me, my courage until it is gone, my wits until they have faded, and my loyalty until you release me.” He lifted his head and locked his eyes with hers. “As long as you protect the people of Brindisi, I will do the same. You have my word.”
    “The consequence of breaking an oath for an Arapeen is death, is it not?” The tone made it a statement rather than a question.
    He answered it regardless. “It is.”
    Her eyes closed in fatalistic understanding. “I see. Considering the events of last year, I certainly see why you would be forced to kill him. Farhan did more than just break an oath—he disregarded it completely.” She looked at him again, with a thousand other questions in her eyes, but she clearly realized that she wouldn’t get any more answers from him today. In fact, she had been blessed to get the answer she had. “General, I wish for you to consider being a military advisor on my council of generals. You will be granted full citizenship as well, of course. This is the very least that I want to offer you. Will you consider it?”
    “Brindisi will hound you once they discover that you are sheltering me,” he observed dispassionately.
    “They are already hounding me,” she pointed out in amusement. “Will you consider it?”
    He inclined his head in agreement.
    “Good. Until tomorrow, then.”
     

 

    Queen Tresea was good to her word. She came again the next day, almost before his breakfast dishes could be collected. Once again, the door shut