The Twisted Throne (The Bridge Kingdom, #5)

by Danielle L. Jensen

“Ahnna is lovely,” his father said, stirring a drink and then adding in a liquid that was an alarming shade of green.

i’m gonna start dry reaching if this man is drinking midori

Just before the head table, the three men stopped, all bowing low. William’s two companions moved to the side, devil-may-care grins on their faces, leaving the crown prince standing alone. Only then did William’s attention shift to her. A lazy drifting of his gaze, and the utter fury in his eyes made her stomach clench. He hadn’t needed to see her to dislike her—he’d come to this dinner already hating her. “Your Highness,” he said. “I’d heard that the Maridrinians had had their way with you, but I did not expect to see it written across your face.” Next to her, James shifted restlessly, but Edward was entirely silent. Ahnna wanted to be angry with him for not putting his son in his place for his rudeness, but expecting that was foolish. Ignoring the sting to her pride, Ahnna stared William in the eye, questioning the right path forward—whether it was better to silently take the insult or defend herself. And it took her only a heartbeat to decide that it didn’t matter what she did. This wasn’t a battle between her and William; it was a battle between father and son, and she needed only to choose whose side she was on. An easy choice given that Edward ruled, and so Ahnna said, “It is true that it was a Maridrinian who wounded my face, but that was the only blow he struck. The next was mine, and it left his innards on the outside and him dying a slow death while I cut down his companions.” She ignored the shocked gasps from the watching nobles. “I’ve been cut a hundred times ...

GET HIS ASS BITCH!!!!

“Because you were attacked, too, Jamie. You might have been killed. Your father is concerned for your welfare, as well as how personally you’re taking this incident.” “I take everything personally.” And he’d also spent the entire night thinking about how hard the assassin had tried not to kill him.

maybe his uncle set it up????

“I think you know why it couldn’t wait.” His uncle grunted, moving across the room to the pair of chairs where he held court with his network of agents and spies. He was as big as James was himself, though age had stooped his shoulders and grayed his hair. “It’s about the woman, I assume.” “Was it you?” Cormac sat in his chair, legs stretched out in front of him. “Yes.”

CLOCKED UR ASS

His uncle righted his chair, expression considering. “You have your mother’s fire, Jamie. But also your father’s foolery. Let Siobhan’s blood win out.” Not answering, James strode to the door, but as his hand fell on the handle, Cormac said, “Speaking of Ronan and of princesses, how fares your cousin? How is Lestara?”

COUSIN????

“Good boy, Dippy.” James patted the horse on the neck. “What about me?” she demanded. “I got on. Give a little credit where it’s due.” Their eyes locked, and James said, “Good girl, Princess.”

TAKE OFF YOUR SHIRT!!!!!! omg who said that

Whether the amounts Alexandra was funneling to C.F. were nothing illicit at all, merely some entertainment that she’d agreed to fund.

is it his uncle cormac???

“I’ll not argue that point.” Georgie took the bottle from her. “But apparently, some have been burned with no evidence at all, and last I checked, being Cardiffian alone is not a crime.” “Should be.” Virginia wrinkled her nose. “If being Cardiffian was punishable by death, wouldn’t James be deserving of murder in the eyes of the law?” Ahnna abruptly asked, not willing to hold her tongue. “Or at least, half of him?” The tiny carriage fell totally silent. “My brother is Harendellian.” Virginia’s voice was deadly soft. “We do not speak of the witch who bore him. He was raised in the true faith, and I will not hear you speak a word against him.” “I didn’t speak a word against him,” Ahnna countered. “You did.” “Easy now,” Georgie said. “We’re all friends here.” “I’m not so sure.” Virginia’s color was high, partially from anger and partially from drink. “Elizabeth told me that you threatened her, Ahnna. That you told her you’d take issue with anyone who mistreated that witch.” “I did,” Ahnna said. “And I am pleased that everyone took my words to heart.”

BOOM GET HER ASS

“I am so pleased to announce that this morning, my son William took a bride,” Edward said. What? Ahnna’s blood turned to ice even as Alexandra gasped out, “Edward, what have you done?” He ignored her and said, “Allow me to formally announce the union of hearts that forms the final piece of our alliance with Cardiff. Please welcome Harendell’s heir and his new bride, Princess Lestara of Cardiff.” Only willpower kept Ahnna on her feet, her knees shaking violently beneath the leather of her skirts as everything fell apart. You failed Ithicana. Again. William entered the ballroom with Lestara on his arm, the Cardiffian princess no longer dressed in the garments of her captors but in a gown of watered silk trimmed in fur and a headdress from which dangled charms and bird skulls. Bird skulls just like the one she’d found in the throne room. William ignored Ahnna as he walked past, but Lestara turned her head, mouth silently moving with the words, I’m sorry. A knife to the chest would have been better.

UR FUCKING JOKINGGGGGG DUDEEE

“Are you here to stop me?” The queen gave a bemused laugh and said, “Hardly. You’ve played your role to perfection, my dear. I had worried you wouldn’t rally, but tonight? Tonight you were magnificent. Every bit the Ithicanian we were promised. Twice the woman that blond bitch will ever be.” Ahnna’s skin was crawling, her instincts screaming danger, but Alexandra was unarmed, so she held her ground as the queen drew in front of her. She gripped Ahnna’s shoulders. “I hope that you won’t take this personally, Ahnna, for this really has nothing to do with you. I merely needed someone to take the blame.” “Pardon, Your—” Alexandra jerked one of Ahnna’s knives from its sheath. Ahnna reflexively stepped away and pulled another knife. But the queen didn’t move to attack. “I highly suggest you run, my dear,” Alexandra said. “You might well escape with your life.” Before Ahnna could answer, Alexandra lifted the knife she’d stolen and stabbed it down. Through her own left hand. Barely able to comprehend what was happening, Ahnna watched in horror as the queen slid the knife free of her flesh and then, without hesitation, shoved it through her own cheek. “Stop!” Ahnna reached for her. “What are you doing?” Alexandra only stepped back, took a deep breath, and plunged the knife just below her belly button. And then she screamed. Shrill and desperate, she howled, “Help me!” “Oh God,” Ahnna breathed, catching Alexandra as she fell into her arms. Alexandra’s hands locked around her neck, p...

HOLY FUCKLLLLLKKKKKK

Stopping, she curved her hand into Taryn’s dark hair and then bent to kiss her. A gentle brush of the lips, and then she whispered, “I love you, you know. Love your face, love your voice, love your heart.” Taryn smiled. “And I did not know what it meant to live until I met you.”

I KNEW IT!!!> LESBIANS!!!!