Four. I will attend private lessons to strengthen my Naiad skills. I will not speak about these lessons to anyone not expressly involved in them, even my betrothed. If I try to speak, I acknowledge my voice will be lost, and no sound will leave my lips.
Five. I will not willingly admit my Naiad heritage to anyone who doesn’t know who I am, for it is against Naiad law to do so. If I speak the words, my voice will be lost. If I physically expose my Naiadic nature, the life of the human I reveal myself to will be forfeited.
Six. I promise to make my lessons my priority. I will work tirelessly to increase my skills in Naiad transition, water manipulation, and humanincantment. I will learn and perform the customs of Naiad culture when appropriate, while identifying the sophisticated practices of royal life and adapting my personality to the demands of a future princess.
A long, enduring sigh came from across the table at my reading speed. The room was silent but for the soft crinkle of whatever scroll Cain was studying. My fingers crawled into my hairline as I ignored the two of them, a scowl stretched over my face.
Seven. I agree, upon the given order, at a date and time to be determined, that I will assist and carry out the death of Prince Hadrian of Calder, heir to the throne.
I stopped, my eyes jumping to the beginning of the sentence. I read it again. And again.
I will assist and carry out the death of Prince Hadrian of Calder.
“This is treason,” I breathed.
Thaan didn’t flinch. “Why else would you think you’re blood-bound to keep this contract a secret?”
“You want me to kill the future king?”
“You’ve killed before,” Thaan said, his voice polished and cold. “It should be easy for you.”
The sides of my temples hurt from how hard my teeth ground together. “I’ve nevermurderedanyone.”
“Three hundred people in Leihani would disagree.”
My blood churned, liquid fire.
“And how would I even get close enough to the prince to kill him?”
“That’ll be easy,” Kye answered. I swiveled to face him, my glare an inferno. His mouth curved with dark amusement. “He’s my brother.”
24
Igaped at Kye. The blood drained from my face. I felt as if I’d been struck with a mallet.
“You can’t be serious.”
His smile grew, cruelly beautiful.
Chin tucked into my chest, I surveyed them with deep suspicion. “You’re both mad. You’re mad if you think I’ll agree to this. You must think I’m a fool to even let me read it.”
“Make no mistake. Even if you weren’t already destined for the pyre, after reading this, you would be,” Thaan replied.
“You’ll use me as a puppet to carry out your deeds and then kill me anyway. You’ve already betrayed me once.” I turned to Kye, whose expression had hardened into something inhumanly still. “You’d betray your own brother—”
“You are not a victim here,” Thaan interrupted. I bared my teeth at him. “I said I needed Naiads for a war. I wouldn’t throw your life away. This contract doesn’t end with you killing the prince.”
“When does it end, then?”
“When I say it does.”
“And when is that?”
His pale eyes gleamed. “I do not yet know.”
I shook my head. “I need a date.”
I couldn’t believe the words left my mouth, that I’d even consider signing. I’m sure I’d always thought myself above murder. Hadn’t I?
