You May Kill the Groom

After the guards took Cato and C1313 out of the throne room and the doors closed behind them, Shayla turned her furious gaze upon her father.

“You told me no harm will come to Tejeda and his crew. I played my part even now in front of them.”

King Gurst sighed as he plunged into his cushioned seat. "Oh, Shayla, I feel like you have completely forgotten your training. Lies and deceit are the best ways to get what you want. I wanted you here, and look at you shining on my red carpet. If I couldn’t make a great assassin out of you, a pretty puppet should do the trick for now."

Shayla's breath remained trapped for a split second as her heart clenched. She glanced at the man she despised and dreaded the most, the man who had her on the run and devastated her life. Clutching her hands, she recalled how he had ordered the execution of her mother, a woman who was useless in his eyes because she couldn't bear him a male heir.