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PART ONE

prologue

Unflinching, the executioner stood on the bloodstained floor facing the prison cells as he wielded an axe with a razor-sharp blade

“What’s the hts, are you?” a woman’s voice crooned as, with bars and cells, and echoing all around the for their lives

Niko straightened, shifting his gaze away from the executioner He tried to shake off any last-ht be able to sense cooas inappropriate for the occasion, as if she’d dressed for a ball rather than a slaughter But that was typical, he’d come to learn She was as frivolous as she was deadly

“Of course not How could I possibly have any doubts? If we don’t do this, we’ll never be able to convince Queen Charlaina that we’re to be taken seriously” Heshe felt half the anticipation he did beating through his veins

The sound of shackles and the ru scuffletheo doithout a fight

A part of Niko wanted to skulk back into the shadows To hide where Xander wouldn’t be able to see him, so Xander wouldn’t know that it was he who’d betrayed him

After all, Charlie had sent the two of them to make peace with the Astonian queen To find a way to coreeable terms with Queen Elena so that no one—on either side of the border—would come to harm

Yet here he was, ains Ones that would keep hi hiain

Even if itthose around hi at Elena’s side Her hand was draped possessively over his “Youyou traitor,” he snarled, curling his lip “And you” He turned his silver eyes on Elena then “How could you let thisthis coward convince you of anything? Are you so weak of will? Don’t you see he’s only using you?”

Niko stiffened, wondering just how much Xander knew about him About his history—and how far back he and Sabara, the old Ludanian queen, really went About how long he’d been alive