Chapter 224

Kit’s eyes doubled in size. Cass was in the dungeon? Had he really been implicated in the revolt, or was this simply her mother’s way of getting him out of the picture? More tears slid down her cheeks as Kit fought to breathe. “That can’t be, Mother. You know he is loyal to you. He’s Grandmother’s favorite by far.”

“And yet, when I asked him directly about his loyalty, he was defiant to my face, saying he no longer supported me as queen.”

“But... who does he support then?” Kit asked, praying that her prying didn’t explode in her face. Just what did her mother know of their efforts?

Rona looked pained. “A woman who currently resides in Antoinetta. She’s been making plans to claim the throne for years. You’ve inquired about the state of our citizenry, poor roads, poor pay, subpar living conditions. All of the crown’s funding has been used for years to keep her at bay, building up our armies and protecting our borders, Katrinetta. I have not shared any of this with you because I did not wish to trouble you, but this is the case. And Cassius and others would see her be queen instead of me, the rightful ruler.”

Kit stared at her mother with her mouth agape, not sure what to say. Obviously, she’d gotten no confession of anything out of Cassius since he would never claim loyalty to the woman her mother spoke of. That didn’t negate the fact that he was in the dungeon somewhere, and her mother may well know a rebellion was underway if she found Seph’s flag. The fact that it had made it to the battlements, and Rona didn’t seem to know the true responsible party, gave Kit hope, despite the fact that she still needed to confirm Eli hadn’t been killed since she’d seen him a few hours ago. Rescuing Cassius from the dungeon would be another problem altogether, but Kit would manage to do so. Having Eli to navigate would be helpful, and she refused to think her mother was even aware that he was still alive.

“Now, daughter, I would have you return to your chambers and stay there while we continue to question those who may be involved in this plot. So far, the man who named Cassius has been unwilling to point his finger at anyone else. And Cassius claims he has acted alone, which I think is highly unlikely.”

“Do you suspect any of the other Representatives?” Kit hated to even ask the question, afraid her mother would come after other men she cared about.

“Do you?”

“Certainly not,” Kit replied at once. “I would’ve never thought Cassius could be involved.”

“Yes, it is shocking. I wouldn’t be surprised if Eliason wasn’t also, but then, he was always against me.”

“I do not think that’s the case, Mother,” Kit said, trying not to overstep, but also wanting her mother to be aware that the problems between the two of them were not of Eli’s making. “He always spoke highly of you to me. I know that, for some reason I do not understand, there was always trouble between you and his father, but Eli served you well in the army for many years, Mother. Surely, he wouldn’t have risked his life for the crown if he didn’t believe in the woman wearing it.”

Rona snickered. “There are many who do so only to receive their share of coin at the end of the moon phase, Katrinetta. Never assume anyone fights for any reason that is not completely selfish. It is the fastest way to find yourself dethroned.”

Kit had nothing more to say. “May I be dismissed, Mother?”

“Yes. Go to your chambers. My guard will replace your own. I trust them to keep you safe more so than the poorly trained detail you have accompanying you most of the time.”

Biting her tongue, Kit agreed. “Yes, Mother.” She bowed, and once her mother flicked her wrist to dismiss her, Kit backed to the door, only raising her eyes slightly enough to see Pierce watching her. His expression didn’t convey that he was glad to hear of Eli’s demise and Cassius’s imprisonment. Even at this distance, from Kit’s perspective, he looked nothing but morose.

The thoughts in Kit’s head were loud enough she wouldn’t have heard if any of the guards walking alongside her chose to speak. None of them uttered a word until they were nearly back to her room. Kit tried to fill her head with the happy thoughts of seeing her ladies and making sure Eli was still all right, and not of how she might manage to free Cassius. She almost didn’t realize Vin was speaking to her until his statement was completed, but she caught enough of it.

“If I had to choose which was more exhilarating, striking down your beloved commander or beating the shite out of that horse’s ass, Cassius, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to make the choice.” His laughter was a deep rumble, and Kit found herself reacting before she thought her actions through.

She whirled around to face him, stopping so abruptly, he almost ran into her. Vin stared into her eyes, his dark orbs narrow, the smirk on his face as crooked as the jagged line that marred his chin. Without speaking, Kit raised her knee, hard, and then brought her hands up, double fisted in a knot, right into his nose. The soldier groaned, doubling over and grabbing himself as blood trickled down his face.

Immediately, the others grabbed hold of her arms, dragging her away from him as she struggled to gain her freedom. “Unhand me! I am the princess!”

“I don’t care who the hell you are! You’ve struck the commander!” one of the guards shouted.

“Let her go,” Vin demanded, standing and wiping the blood from his face, the low rumble back. He took a few steps toward her; Kit glared up at him, defiantly. “That took courage, Princess. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Kit shook her arms free of the men who’d grabbed hold of her, those who hadn’t quite followed Vin’s order to release her yet. “You should think again, Vin. I will be queen one day.”

“Perhaps.” He stared at her, a cool calculating glare. Kit met it, not letting her eyes waver away from his for even a moment. “But not today.”

Vin gave a signal, and the soldiers moved on. Kit pulled her eyes off of his disgusting countenance and fell back into line, proud of herself for finally standing up to the monster but also trembling on the inside from the fear of what he might’ve done had he chosen to retaliate. She kept her head up and her shoulders back, the picture of calm on the outside while inside of her the storm clouds began to gather.