I licked my chops, watching the work. Kushini’s and my slave-soldiers were pressing into the throne room. Confusion rippled through me. Fear twisted through my stomach. This was it. She glared at me as I rose, the pain throbbing through my back, reaching for my heart. I was queen, and I didn’t want to sit the throne. The magic melted off of me. I would lose men tonight. She didn’t wear a sari but her leather pants. I liked the name. Her sword sang as it slid from her scabbard. “How could I love the creature who bought me? It whipped at my clothing. Kill your cousin for her treason.”
“Gladly,” Kushini purred. She snarled in pain, bending over, her jaws snapping. She fell onto her back, her sword fallen from her grip. “I die free of you, Malakisha!”
Anger surged through me. “Is she?” Kushini asked, her eyes flicking to the right for a moment. I thought she had grown to love me back. I snatched the whip from his hands as he crashed onto the deck. She was ready to witness me seize the Queendom, to proclaim my
