Ardyn POV

They dragged him into the throne room at dawn.

The survivor.

One of the three who tried to slit Kael’s throat while we slept. His companions were ash now, burned down to marrow by my fire, but this one I ordered left breathing.

He fought the entire way, snarling, teeth flashing, wolfsbane blade still wet with Kael’s blood.

I wanted him alive.

Not because he deserved it.

Because his tongue did.

The Blood Court gathered in a semicircle around the throne, restless, suspicious. ...