Chapter 434:

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Reacting on pure instinct, Emeriel leaped onto the bed and collided with the intruder, her hands closing around the dagger’s hilt.

They struggled for control of the weapon, muscles straining as the blade wavered between them. With a fierce cry, she rammed her fist into the assassin’s stomach.

The blow landed hard, forcing a grunt from him as he staggered backward, his grip on the dagger slipping. Emeriel wrenched the weapon free from his hand.

“Who are you?” she demanded, advancing on the intruder.

The assassin recovered quickly and lunged at her, his hands clawing for the dagger.

Emeriel twisted, keeping him from reaching it. Each time he made a grab for the weapon, she pulled it just beyond his grasp.

His frustration mounted, and with a rough growl, he swung a fist aimed at her face. Emeriel deflected it with quick reflexes, and seizing her chance, she drove the dagger deep into the assassin’s chest. He let out a long, ragged breath as his body tensed. Then, with a slow heave, he collapsed at her feet, lifeless.

Emeriel straightened, dusting off her hands, when a faint groan reached her ears.

But it didn’t come from the dead man. Her eyes shot to the grand king just in time to see his eyelids flutter… more flutters… Then, his eyes opened. He was awake.

King Daemonikai was awake?

Emeriel rushed to him. But before she could reach his side, the chamber door swung open with a loud crash, and Lord Ottai hurried in.

“I heard noises—he’s awake!”

“Shhh,” Emeriel hushed in a low tone. “Too loud, Lord Ottai.”

“Right, right,” he whispered, though his eyes sparkled with unbridled joy. “We mustn’t overwhelm him. True, true.”

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Lord Ottai looked like he wanted to shout the news from the rooftops to the entire fortress. That is, until his gaze dropped to the floor, where the dead assassin lay. All traces of elation vanished.

“What is this?”

“He posed as the herbalist, gained entrance, and tried to kill King Daemonikai.”

Lord Ottai bent down to inspect the body. Picking up the bloodied dagger, he sniffed it, and his face paled.

“Poison,” he looked at Emeriel. “Deadly poison. Aimed at the heart, it would have been fatal.”

Emeriel gripped her clothes so tightly her hands turned white.

“Guards!” Lord Ottai bellowed.

Two soldiers entered. “Fetch Wegai. Now!”

They returned later with the head soldier in tow. Wegai’s eyes darted to the dead assassin, flared sharply, before landing on the grand lord.

“Your Highness.”

“An attempt was made on your master’s life tonight. He would have died under your watch.” The grand lord flung the dagger toward Wegai, and he caught it mid-air.

Wegai brought the blade to his nose, and his face drained of color.

“What were you doing neglecting your duty? You were supposed to protect him!” Lord Ottai shouted.

Jaw locked taut, the head soldier held the dagger in a death grip. “I was at the training fields with the new recruits, my lord. I left Zan and Ham in charge; they are competent and have been reliable for months.”

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