Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep

Author:Jennifer Estep
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

I walked through the front part of the treasury. The crowns, tiaras, necklaces, rings, and bracelets were still perched on their velvet pillows, and they all glimmered just as brightly as they had when I’d been in here last night.

Wexel let out a low, appreciative whistle, while the other three men looked around with wide eyes. Despite the coldiron shackles dampening my magic, I could clearly feel the greed blasting off all three of them. The Mortans whooped with excitement, then rushed forward, smashed several cases, and pocketed the jewels inside.

Milo also glanced around at the dazzling displays, but instead of greed, his nostrils flared in disgust. “Useless trinkets.”

A ball of purple lightning popped into his hand, and he reared back and threw it at a crown that had belonged to Queen Armina Ripley. The glass case shattered, the stone pedestal cracked into chunks, and the crown dropped to the floor and tumbled away in a swirl of silver and sapphires. The soft, distinctive tink-tink-tinks of the metal and jewels striking the flagstones eerily echoed the sounds of the tearstone arrows still rattling around in the Mortans’ knapsacks.

I flinched at the noise, along with the destruction, but Wexel brandished his sword, forcing me to move forward. Milo fell in step beside me. The three Mortans grabbed a few more jewels, then followed us.

We quickly moved through the first few sections of the treasury. Milo barely glanced at the ceremonial robes, statues, paintings, and cases filled with books, although his interest piqued when we reached the armory. He meandered around that section, studying the swords, shields, and daggers, as did Wexel and the other three Mortans. This time, greed blasted off all five men. Milo eyed a sword made of solid gold and crusted with rubies as though he wanted to slip it into his pocket and hope no one would notice he had swiped it.

Wexel was far more discerning. He released my arm, sheathed his sword, and roamed around the armory, muttering no-no-no before finally stopping in front of a collection of weapons, jewels, and other objects. He glanced over his shoulder at Milo, who was still lusting after that gold sword, then plucked something off a shelf and stuffed it into his pocket, although I couldn’t make out what it was.

“Going from murder to thievery seems like a big step down for you, captain,” I drawled.

Wexel growled, surged forward, and punched me. Pain erupted in my jaw, and white stars exploded in my eyes. The force of his mutt strength knocked me back, and I blindly reached out, trying to break my fall.

My hands landed on something cold and hard, and I latched onto the object and used it to steady myself. I blinked, and Queen Armina’s armor came into focus. The silver breastplate was still posed on its wooden mannequin, along with the two matching gauntlets.

Wexel dug his hand into my hair, yanking me away from the armor. He spun me around, forced me up against the wall, and drew back his fist to punch me again.

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