Page 158 of Hellbound

The soft noise of ribbon shearing cut through the tension once more that evening.

She had backed into the fencing, her corset lacing caught on the iron filigree behind her, shorn in one quiet pull.

The tension released in her bodice. And a panic came with it.

She always had a grip on everything: her body, her mind. But now, something had come untethered, and she had no idea how to fasten it back.

The cold bit her exposed skin. She ripped her eyes from his.

“Good night, Captain.”

38

The guards took note of important individuals and their departure times.

Grastelian vassal nobles. Chancellor Valdren. Lady Milena, elegant and composed, on King Karsan’s arm as they slipped through a private exit.

After escaping the garden, Ksenia retired for the night herself, resting a hand on the shoulder of a young Envorsen with a shock of silvered hair.

Her laugh was soft and genuine as she bade him good night, his face flushing red from her attention.

Ksenia didn’t bother to change out of her dress.

It drew less suspicion if she appeared to be a happy, drunken maiden stumbling back within the halls of Hearth for a late-night meeting with her paramour.

Her second mark.

Valdren’s room was deep in the eastern wing of Hearth on the third floor.

Ksenia knocked softly.

A ruddy-faced Valdren peered through the cracked door, his eye twinkling when he spotted Ksenia’s devilish golden eyes peering back.

He beckoned her forth with a pudgy finger.

The curtains were drawn closed, and an excessive number of candles in varying-sized candelabras were clustered against the walls by the lit fireplace. At a large oak table, a spread of breads, cheeses, and an assortment of wines awaited her.

Despite the stifling heat, Ksenia’s skin chilled when Valdren’s damp palm settled upon her shoulder, sliding down to grasp her hand.

She pasted a saccharine smile upon her face and let him lead her to the table.

His eyes flicked between her and the wine glasses. Ksenia groaned inwardly and poured the liquid woodenly into the matching crystal.

Just a little longer yet and you’ll be rid of him… Vornaya’s voice in her mind was comforting for once.

On the bed, Ksenia noted lengths of silken rope and a matching scarf, placed deliberately.

She could taste the bile on her tongue, but she summoned a playful gleam to her eyes instead, leading him handily to bed.

Valdren chuckled, low and anticipatory. “Forward, aren’t we? I knew you would be a delight…”

She worked quickly—trussing him with a rope, tying down each of his limbs, strung tightly to the pillars of the bed with his back against the headboard.

She deliberately removed her stocking, letting the silk slide down her leg. Then stuffed it in his mouth.

His eyes darkened with anticipation as she bound it tightly with the scarf.

She produced Caromir from her hip.