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Gavin had given enough already, and she didn’t want him choosing her life over his. She shook her head just as his lips slanted over hers, stealing her words. He pulled away just as quickly, and she chased the kiss, wanting to hold on to the fantasy for longer.
“I wish I’d done that sooner,” he whispered and rested his forehead against hers.
“You should have,” Violet agreed. She stood still, dazed by his taste. And when Gavin hoisted her over his shoulders as if she were a paper doll, she didn’t fight him off like she should have done.
The voices of the men were moving closer, definitely audible now. She knew there was little time to waste and fight him on this. Violet would not leave him alone to die for her, but she could let him buy them time. She’d hide until the group grew comfortable and took him away to where they were staying. Then she would strike.
She doubted Julius would be so careless as to kill a member of his own assembly, someone who wore the same uniform as him and had been in town for a while. It might be their best chance of survival if they didn’t catch Violet alongside him.
Gavin was right. They were both tired, which would weaken their magic.
Violet settled her feet on Gavin’s shoulders. Her body shook with her loss of balance, but she managed to drag herself onto the balcony. The wood, covered in a pillow of moss, groaned under her hands. She jumped over the gaps on the floor and landed on the side of the building.
With ragged breaths, she flattened herself against the doorframe, thankful it was painted black, allowing her clothes and skin to blend in. She knew how to disappear.
Gavin strolled toward the street, rolling his shoulders and stretching his arms over his head. Then he pressed his body against the wall behind a box, buying himself more time to cast one final glance at her.
Thunder rolled in the background, and the air crackled with static. The storm couldn’t have made it here already, could it? Perhaps it was an emissary’s warning. If she decided to fight these men, it might trigger one of the undying to come to her aid.
They would bring her Dargan’s message and save her from this mess. Right?
No. While the idea was tempting, she didn’t know who the next emissary would be. It might be a Luelle, old and jaded. Or a Cullen, manipulative and sly. Fuck him and them. Plus, having them come didn’t guarantee Gavin’s survival. They weren’t interested in protecting his life. Just hers.
Better to go it alone… as always.
Violet stilled her movements and focused on the steps and voices just around the corner. The men must still be unaware that they were here.
Maybe they wouldn’t find Gavin—or her.
Maybe…
“My boy, is that you?” Julius’ voice traveled down the long alley, his friendly tone hiding a stiffness that hadn’t been there on the day of her wedding. She peered over the edge of the balcony. The five of them blocked the road as rain pattered against the ground. Gavin didn’t move or attack.
“Commander.” His greeting came out stifled.
Julius stepped forward, tilting his head as he inspected the area, forcing Violet back into the cover of her hiding spot. Although she could no longer see them, her mind supplied vivid images of what was happening below. It was enough to hear: The stomping of boots over wet dirt and stone. The clanging of metal and rustling of heavy fabric that shifted with the calculated moves of trained fighters.
“I didn’t expect to meet you all the way here, in the Obsidian town of Scoria. Didn’t I tell you to find your wife?”
“You did.”
Julius’ tone hardened. “I recall commanding you to head west.”
“I had my reasons to believe that wasn’t where she was headed.”
“Ah. Well, where is she then?”
“Not here, as you can see.”
“And why are you hiding in this alley packed with shite?”
The squelch of hard sole boots over wet matter as Julius—or someone else—strolled close to the balcony. A bark of male laughter followed soon after from further away, as though Julius’ hired muscle found all of this hilarious. Violet held her breath, not daring to move in case she might give herself away.
“Because I find it strange that you are here, when you assured me that you’d wait for my return to the Iron City.” Gavin sounded entirely too calm for someone surrounded by enemies.
The silence that followed constricted her chest with a burning ache.
“I trained you well.” Julius laughed. The smell of spice and the sizzle of power signaled that more than a few of the men below were sorcerers. She could distinguish Gavin’s magic from the rest with ease. It was familiar, earthy and warm. The other auras felt strange. “Where is Cora, my boy? I won’t ask you again.”
