Page 58 of Harbinger

I can’t help laughing, even though it feels reckless when half the world wants me dead.

“And stop flirting,” Bishop says, the blade of his knife flashing in the firelight as he cuts a hunk of cheese. “You aren’t as charming as you think you are.”

Taliesin claps a hand over his heart. “I am trying to lift her spirits.” He slings his feet off the chair and shoves his thick blond hair out of his eyes as he leans forward, elbows on the table. “How are you doing, Lady Icaros? Need company? I can be bathed, powdered, and sent to your room.”

I nearly choke on my roll.

“Smooth.” Vessica rolls her eyes and settles into a tall chair across from me. “Bishop is right about your charms.”

Taliesin ignores them, his gaze still pinned on me, and lifts his brows like he genuinely wants an answer. I’m not sure what he expects. For me to spill my soul to him? Maybe to cry? Crack a joke? Actually consider sleeping with him?

He’s definitely good-looking—and knows it. The scars on the side of his face only add a roguishness to his questionable charm. He even looks roughly the same size as Bishop, which is also impressive. But I’d rather focus on not dying than him, no matter how much he flirts.

“Leave her be,” Bishop says in a quiet voice. “She just got here. Stop picking at her like she’s carrion.”

I force myself to finish the roll as slowly and delicately as possible. Then I pile cheese and fruit onto my plate. I swallow and smile at Lenora when she delivers a pot of coffee and more cups. “Thank you for the food, Lenora. Bishop’s a lousy hunter.”

Taliesin cackles, smacking his knee as he leans back in his chair again.

“That’s what I get for sharing my rabbit,” Bishop mutters, picking at our impromptu luncheon. Considering he’s twice my size, I’d expect him to be hungrier.

Lenora must have read my mind, because she scolds him. “You need to eat.”

“I’m fine.” He points at the cheese still sitting on his plate.

Lenora shakes her head. “Don’t come sneaking into my kitchen when you’re hungry later.”

“I won’t,” he promises. “I’m going to Ardermare on business tonight. Your kitchen is safe.”

She frowns at this news as she pours more coffee into our mugs.

Bishop is leaving town so soon? Curiosity flares in my chest. “Where are you going?”

“The king’s assassin needs to be brought to justice.” He crosses his arms, still not bothering to eat.

“We’ll catch them,” Vessica adds in a somber tone.

But Taliesin only grimaces. “Will we? Whoever it is got in and out of the palace undetected.”

I butter another roll, hoping they’ve forgotten I’m here and will keep talking. I might actually learn something. Maybe if the king’s killer is caught, and it’s not an omen of war, the rumors that I’m some harbinger will die down and people will leave me alone. Or stop hiring assassins.

“Most of the troops think it’s a heart collector,” Vessica says.

I drop the roll. It splatters butter-side down on the table.

The others look at me. Bishop blinks and returns his attention to his friends. “Most of the troops are superstitious fools.”

“So, there’s really no such thing as a heart collector?” I ask despite my better judgment. He made his thoughts clear at the palace.

But Bishop still meets my gaze. “No.”

Liar. It’s an instinct that I can’t explain, but the look Taliesin and Vessica share confirms it.

I stare at my roll, my appetite gone. What does he gain by lying? It doesn’t make sense. Then again, not much about Bishop makes sense.

“And the rest of them think your guest of honor did it,” Vessica continues to Bishop.

But she’s talking about me. If news has already reached here …