Ariella’s POV
I kept my face soft and concerned, but inside, my mind was spinning fast, calculating every word like a chess move.
Let’s turn this mad king into the kind of tyrant the entire realm will learn to despise, I thought. Ruthless. Paranoid. Cruel. The sort of ruler who makes his own people wish for a rebellion.
I squeezed Edric’s bloody hands gently, ignoring the sticky warmth coating my skin. Through the link, I spoke calmly, but my internal voice dripped with dark amusement.
First, I’ll turn the royal council against him. Make them begin to think about rebelling against the throne.
“Your Majesty,” I said softly through the link, making sure my eyes looked up at him with pure adoration, “you are the King of this entire realm. The blood of conquerors runs in your veins. These
