“You lost your bodyguard on purpose when you knew someone was following you?”
He shrugged.“He’s good at his job.He’ll catch up soon.”
“What are you doing down here?”
“Shouldn’t I be the one asking that question, considering you’re the one who followed me?”
“Except I asked it first.”
“And you’re forgetting I’m a prince.”
The cold edge of the blade still pressed against my skin, and the heat of his body surrounded me.
“Then what will it be, Prince?”I asked.“Because while we’ve been arguing you seem to have forgotten you’re holding me at knifepoint, which can only be for one of two reasons.”
I leaned forward, tipping my face up till the cold metal dug into my throat and my lips were only a hairsbreadth away from his.He struggled to keep his focus on my eyes.
“Are you going to kiss me or kill me?”
Valeris jerked back like I’d slapped him.
The abrupt absence of his weight sent me stumbling forward, and I peered up at him, a laugh escaping my lips at his reaction.
He was not amused.
Pink tinged the skin above his clenched jaw, and he refused eye contact.
I brushed the dirt from the wall off my shoulders, and he twirled his dagger, slamming it back into its sheath.
I tried to hide my grin.“I didn’t realize—”
“Are you coming?”he cut me off, stalking back to the lively street.
My mouth hung open, confused by his mood swings and surprised he would let me tag along without further question—but I wasn’t about to argue.I pushed my way through the crowd, keeping my focus trained on his dark red hair.He led us into a bustling tavern, a wooden sign readingThe Echoing Windsswinging above the door.Guests gathered around the tables, a fiddler in the corner clashing with the musicians in the street playing for the dancers.
Valeris marched up to the counter, sliding several coins to the innkeeper.
“A jug of fresh cider, please.”Valeris dipped his head to me.“And whatever the lady would like.”
Thelady?
I blinked, trying to read his expression.“I’ll have the same.”
Valeris peered at me, seeming surprised by my choice.
“No ale?”I asked.
“People in my position have a set of rules we’re expected to follow,” he said.“Number seven—don’t muddle your head in an uncontrollable environment or when the family name is on the line.If you need to outwit someone, keep it clear.”
That same rule didn’t seem to apply to his father, who I had seen drunk more often than not.I had never tasted alcohol.I had been too young before my kingdom was destroyed, and a majority of the assassins in the tower took a vow of sobriety to never allow it the chance to alter their senses on an important mission or compromise their secrets and identities.A loose tongue was a dangerous tongue.
Desmond held no such sentiments and did as he pleased.
Valeris chose a table at the far wall that offered a clear view of the entire room.
“See, Howland has already found me.”
Howland stood to the right of the door.I hadn’t seen him step in.A dark scowl marred his face as his gaze found us then returned to scanning the tavern.
