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

His stomach soured, knowing that the nation north of them had the military might to put his legions in the ground. “What did it say?”

“I explained the situation. Your intentions. The Empire’s intentions. And I asked for assistance with defeating you.” Her chin trembled. “I sent them within days of us arriving in Arinoquia. If that makes a difference.”

Some of the tension in his chest released, because it did matter that she’d done it during the early days. Before things had … changed between them.

“They would’ve found out eventually,” he said. “I can only assume that the Maarin on this side of the sea would make the information known. If not, I assume—given I received a report that Magnius and Bait have disappeared—that the news was destined to reach them.”

She exhaled, then rested her head in her hands, elbows on the table.

Her braids rocked back and forth, gold and silver and gemstones glittering in the lamplight. How had he not seen it? No Maarin he’d ever met wore what amounted to a crown’s worth of jewelry in their hair—it was a status symbol reserved for the upper echelons of society. And beyond the wealth, all the times she’d spoken of this king or that queen, it had been with the familiarity reserved for individuals one hadn’t just heard of, but that one knew.

He truly was blind when it came to her.

“Have you done anything else?” His voice was raspy. “Is there anything else I should know?”

Teriana didn’t answer for a long time. Finally, she straightened, meeting his gaze. “I need to tell you something about Ashok.”

 13TERIANA

Tell him about the Marked.

The truth sat on the tip of her tongue, begging to be voiced. Because this wasn’t a secret she could keep, not with the Cel growing closer to the Arinoquians by the day and merchant traffic from other kingdoms destined to begin arriving in Aracam’s harbor. And if he found out she had lied about it, especially after this conversation, she didn’t think he’d forgive her.

And yet the thought of giving up that secret made her sick. Yes, he’d kept Hegeria’s healer’s mark a secret, but she thought much of that was due to the guilt he felt over the healer Caradoc dying to save his life. And while the healers were something he could use, they were no danger to him. Unlike many of the other marks.

What would he do if he learned that Bait was capable of turning the tides with such violence as to send the ocean a mile inland, leaving only destruction in its wake? Or of the summoners, who could unleash storms upon them like a weapon? Or perhaps worst of all, what would he do if he learned about Tremon’s marked, warriors with unparalleled skill, many of whom had armies under their command? Would he let them live? Or would he see them as the threat they were and send assassins to hunt them down? They weren’t just names, but people she knew, especially Killian, whom she’d been close with since they were children.

She felt Marcus’s eyes on her. Knew he was waiting for an answer.

Make a choice.

Gritting her teeth, she straightened, meeting his gaze. “I need to tell you something about Ashok.”

Marcus’s eyes narrowed. “What about him?”

“He’s … he’s not precisely human.”

Silence.

“We call them the corrupted,” she continued. “They’re very dangerous but thankfully also very rare, partially because every nation of the West hunts them down.”

“Dangerous, how?” His voice was cold. “I’ve men hunting him, and if I’ve put them in harm’s way…”

“Unnaturally strong and fast,” she said. “And if he gets his hands on a person, he can drain the life right out of them, killing them by aging them.”

He stared at her, unblinking, then said, “If this creature is as much an enemy to you as he is to me, why keep him a secret? What more are you hiding?”

Her mind raced, desperately seeking a way through this, but there was none.

“I’m going to ask you one more time: What are you not telling me?” His voice was shaking, and fear reared in her mind that she was going to set off one of his attacks. “If you aren’t willing to answer, you can pack your things, because I’m sending you back to the Quincense. I don’t need another backstabber in my camp.”

Her heart dropped. Not only because she’d lose any power she had to stop the Empire if she were sent to that island, but because she’d lose him.

“Well?”

“I…”

He rose in a rapid motion. “Get your things. I’ll order an escort to port.” He started toward the front of the tent.

“Wait.”

He turned around, and she scrubbed the tears from her face. “Every one of the gods grants certain powers to chosen individuals. We call them the Marked. The healers are Hegeria’s. Ashok … he’s one of the Seventh god’s chosen.”

He listened as she explained the various marks, sitting in stony silence once she’d finished.

Finally, he said, “I want to be furious at you for keeping this from me. For lying to me. Except I know why you did it. And I have no ground to stand on in judging you for it.”

There wasn’t forgiveness in his voice, only resignation.

“But how can I trust you knowing that you’ve been lying to my face. Not just before, but after—” He broke off, pressing his hands to the sides of his head as though it pained him. Then he met her gaze. “How do I know what you say you feel for me isn’t just another lie? A way to manipulate me into achieving your ends?”

Her chest hollowed. “Marcus, it’s not. I swear to you, what’s between us is real.”

She reached for him, but he took a rapid step backward, holding up a hand as though to ward her off.

“You know me,” she whispered, her voice choked. “You know I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”

“Do I know you?” he asked. “Because it doesn’t feel like I do.”

“Marcus—”

“I need some air.” He turned toward the entrance of