Victoria's face stayed expressionless, her voice cold. "Killing you will clear Andrew's biggest obstacle to becoming King of Gabo Creek. I thought you could be useful, but now I see your nature hasn't changed since the old days.

"You're still fickle and self-serving. You want to play both sides and walk away the biggest winner. That means you deserve to die."

Matthias roared back, "Victoria, didn't you approach me to build Andrew's reputation? And now you say I can't choose my own side?"