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“Really?” Kellan looks amused as he raises his brows. “And could you survive a shadow demon attack?”
Daimis looks startled for a split second, then it’s gone. “No, of course not. But we may not even run into any.”
“It’s better to be prepared. Sky will ensure that. It’s settled, then.” Kellan smiles at me. “She might be a criminal, but she’s very talented, and with this deal, she’s on our side. Will you be ready to travel in four weeks’ time, Sky?”
I nod, but I keep glancing at Daimis. Maybe the startled look wouldn’t matter, except that it was accompanied by him clenching his jaw, and his index finger twitching. Even though his tells are harder to recognize since we were kids, I still know when he’s holding something back and it has something to do with the shadow demons.
“So be it,” the Regent says. “But she will be under your supervision, Kellan. I don’t want any surprises. No mistakes. This quest is too important.” The Regent gives me one last hard glare, which I try not to balk under. It’s interesting how some people have the gift of relaying so much with a single look. His says he’ll be watching and will have no mercy if I get out of line—and even more so—that he’ll enjoy it.
Lovely. What the hell have I gotten myself into?
* * *
Kellan, the Regent, and the rest of the Steel Guard leave Daimis and me reeling.
Daimis sighs. “Good thinking. The scale and money pouch?”
“Your pocket,” I say. “And you’d better return it quickly before they go looking. I might have to go on this quest, but I don’t plan to be in chains during it.”
He puts his hand in his pocket to confirm. “Don’t fool yourself, we’re all in chains.”
What does that mean? He’s the Prince, if anyone has freedom, surely it’s him.
“Listen,” Daimis says, rubbing his hand over his neck. “I know I didn’t hold up my end of the deal, but I did try to get you out of here and—”
“Don’t worry, your secret meeting is safe with me.”
His shoulders relax a little. “Not that I was having a secret meeting,” he says, a smile pulling up the corner of his mouth.
“Right,” I say, matching his smile.
He starts to walk to the door, but pauses and turns back to face me, the humor is gone, and his green eyes explore me. “A word of advice; don’t travel outside of your rooms alone at night anymore. It’s dangerous.”
I think about his words last night when he said that I am safer the farther I am from Stonemount. I eye him. “And why is that? Shouldn’t the castle the safest place in Thaaryn? The Steel Guard is here.” Of course, the castle is the most dangerous place for me, but I want to know why he seems to think it is too.
He shrugs. “It used to be, but this place has changed, and not for the better. Just be careful.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
His brows scrunch and he sighs, shaking his head. “Because against my better judgment, I seem to care about what happens to you.”
“I assure you, I can take care of myself,” I say.
He steps closer and lowers his voice like he’s telling a secret. “Like you did in the conservatory?”
I scoff. “Tha—that’s because I’m still injured. If I was at my full strength, I would have had the upper hand. I’m sorely out of practice at the moment.” In fact, the more I think about it, the more annoyed I am at myself that I let him beat me.
“I can help you with that. I train every evening. You can join me. And we can spar after, it’ll give you another chance at besting me. I mean, unless you’re afraid I’ll beat you every time.”
I huff a laugh and take a step forward so that I’m looking up at him. “Oh, Princess, now I have to come, if nothing else, to see the look on your face when you submit to me.”
His smile deepens. “We’ll start a week from now. I’ll be by each night, an hour after dinner to escort you to the practice yard.” He turns and walks to the door. “Wear your leathers,” he says over his shoulder.
I raise a brow. “Doesn’t matter if I’m in a skirt or leathers, I’ll still beat you.”
He chuckles. “Big words.” He leaves and I find myself smiling at the door.
* * *
