Gilded Serpent by Danielle Jensen (top 10 novels txt) 📕

or her minions, and every day or so, she selects a few to sate her appetite for life. Sacrifices to the Seventh, she calls them, but in reality, the corrupted are no better than a drunk with a cellar full of wine.”

Next to him, Lydia twitched, and Killian turned from his appraisal of the city to look at her. Her jaw was tight, hands balled into fists, but her expression was determined. “They can control themselves if they want to,” she said. “Rufina would have gone weeks, perhaps even longer, when she was at Serrick’s side posing as Cyntha.” Then she turned to fix Agrippa with a stare. “Did you know that’s where she was? What she was doing?”

A good question.

Agrippa shook his head. “I came to her attention somewhat more than a year ago and have only seen her a handful of times in the intervening period. Usually when there was something she wanted me to do. She never told me where she was the rest of the time, and I wasn’t stupid enough to ask.”

“You mean brave enough.” Lydia’s tone was cutting.

Agrippa only shrugged. “Take pity on those of us who don’t have gods at our backs, Marked One. Human bravery has its limits, especially when one’s life is held in the fist of a sociopathic queen.”

Lydia’s eyes flared, and sensing that Agrippa was about to hear in great detail what she thought about that, Killian said, “It looks exceptionally well-fortified given that Derin has never been invaded.”

“A ruler will do that when their own people are constantly trying to kill them,” Agrippa answered, though his eyes were still fixed on Lydia. “She’s utterly reviled by the common folk, and more than a few have made attempts to slit her throat. But she’s hard to kill.”

“I’ve noticed.” Knowing Rufina was Cyntha, that made more sense. The woman had been trained alongside King Derrek Falorn from childhood—even without a mark, she’d be a force to be reckoned with.

“At any rate, that’s where Rufina is keeping your queen,” Agrippa said. “Rumor has it that she’s made more than a few attempts to escape, so she’s well-guarded at all times, typically by at least one of the corrupted.”

“Not an issue. Can you get me in?”

“Probably. But it will be the getting all of us out that will be the challenge. And even if we manage it, there will be immediate pursuit by the full force of the garrison here. Deimos will fly ahead to warn the border patrols and then hunt overhead during the night hours, likely with corrupted in the saddle. Getting into Derin is one thing, but getting out is an entirely different story. Not to diminish your skill, Lord Calorian, but even you have your limits.”

Killian exhaled slowly. “So … we need a way to get her out that won’t raise any attention. That won’t even be noticed until we are well away from Helatha.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve any grand ideas?”

“Maybe,” Killian answered, his skin prickling. “How much did you say that reward on my head was?”

 97LYDIA

“This is a terrible plan!” Lydia snapped, struggling to control the crippling fear constricting her chest.

“No,” Killian answered. “It isn’t. So quit arguing with me and get your things ready. You’re going with Baird to a safe place of his selection, and you will remain there until they meet up with you. And then the three of you are going to get Malahi safely back to Mudamora.”

“While you sacrifice yourself.” Even saying the words made her feel sick.

“I’m not just going to lie down and die, if that’s your concern,” he answered, handing Baird his weapons, one by one. “I have every intention of trying to kill Rufina. And if I survive that, of escaping myself.”

Except with the plan he and Agrippa had concocted, there was almost no chance of Killian getting out alive.

Handing over his sword, Killian said to the giant, “Give us a minute, would you?” And when the giant was out of earshot, he turned to her. “Time and again, I failed Malahi. Put her second to concerns that I considered more important. I owe her this. And even if I didn’t, we both know her life is more important than mine.”

“Killian—”

He held up a hand, pressing his index finger to her lips. “We both know the best chance Mudamora has at healing the blight is a tender. But beyond that, Malahi is the rightful queen. The High Lords will again rally behind her, and with the kingdom united, there might be a chance of Mudamora surviving this. That’s hundreds of thousands of lives that might be saved, and if it means sacrificing my own, then I’ll gladly do it.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I’m not leaving you to die. Agrippa and Baird can get Malahi out. I’ll stay and help you escape.”

He gave a slow shake of his head. “This is what I’m meant to do. This is what I was marked to do—to protect the hope of the realm.”

“I can’t lose you.” A sob tore from her throat, because she knew nothing that she might say would change his mind. “I love you, Killian. And I don’t care if I’m not supposed to or if you’ll never be mine, but I refuse to let you die.”

His shoulders bowed, but not before she caught sight of the glint of tears in his eyes. “Except that I am yours.” His voice was rough. “From the moment you walked into my life, my heart, my soul, belonged to you, even if my sword did not. And I’d say that I felt torn in two because of it, but that would be a lie, because every moment I’ve spent with you has felt right.”

Twin tears slipped down his cheeks, and Lydia’s heart felt like it was shattering, the sharp little pieces cutting into her soul.

“I love you.” His eyes searched hers. “More than life. More than duty and more than honor, and it’s because I love you so much that I’m going