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My traitorous heart leapt, and I bit my lip hard to remind myself he was the enemy. I hurried out of the bedroom and was met with the sight of Mirijana and Aella bustling about the suite, their laughter, and conversation filling the air. Aella was in better spirits than I’d ever seen her, a glimmer of hope sparking in her eyes once more. It was a relief to see her so much happier, despite my disappointment.
“The Lord Marshal will be out for a bit and we’re to entertain you,” Mirijana said, gesturing for me to sit down. Aella asked about working in the kitchen today and I let out a breath, grateful for the distraction. I sat down to eat, no longer surprised by the bounty they spread before me each day. But my thoughts kept drifting back to Theron. What was he doing? Had he discovered my secrets? I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. Was he as shaken by last night as I was?
“Kael?” I looked up from my bowl of fruit, and both Aella and Raenisa stared at me. Aella must have tried to get my attention more than once.
“Sorry, I’m still waking up,” I mumbled sheepishly, and a tentative smile grew on her face as she shared a glance with Mirijana.
“I bet,” she chuckled, and Mirijana shot her a conspiratorial grin.
“Here’s your ring,” Mirijana said, holding it out to me.
I took it, a flush creeping up my neck. They must have found our clothes tangled together on the floor and figured out what had happened. “Thanks,” I muttered, slipping the ring back on my finger, grateful that she didn’t recognize it for what it was.
Mirijana’s eyes flicked to the door as if checking that Theron hadn’t returned before she broached a new subject, feigning nonchalance. “Do you know where Herrath is? Did he go with the others?”
I hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yeah, he did.”
Mirijana’s face was unreadable as she nodded. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
“Well, with all of them out of the castle, that just means Aella can stay here for all of my tasks.” She smiled at the other girl, who hid a pleased grin.
I hid my grimace by taking a bite. The last thing I needed was another set of eyes watching my every move, making it even more difficult for me to carry out my mission.
Thankfully, Kadir strode into the room, interrupting our conversation. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need to fit her for these clothes,” he said, holding up a bundle of fabric.
I raised an eyebrow, suspicious of the sudden intrusion. But before Mirijana could object, he grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the bedroom.
As soon as we were alone, Kadir turned to me, his eyes flashing.
“What were you thinking, Kael?” Kadir hissed as he began fitting me with the new clothes, glancing at the closed door as if worried the servants would burst in at any moment. “Fighting a noble? From a high house, no less? You drew too much attention to yourself. Nyana is checking all the servants’ backgrounds. They’re trying to find the spies.”
“I had to do it,” I replied, my voice tight with anger. “I couldn’t just stand there and let her attack me.”
“It’s too dangerous to stay,” Kadir said, frustration clear in his expression. “We need to return to the base. Now.”
“No,” I blurted. “I can’t leave yet. If I do, then everything will have been for nothing. I have to complete the mission, and make all of this worth it.”
If I didn’t kill Rhazien, then all I’d accomplished was fucking Theron. I didn’t think I could live with that.
“You’re taking too many risks, Kael,” Kadir said. “Rhazien suspects something. If we stay, we’ll be caught and executed.”
“It doesn’t matter if they suspect me.” I crossed my arms. “Theron will protect me.”
I hated relying on him, but I had no other choice. The more time I spent with him, the more I realized he was a prisoner here, too. I might hate him, but he wasn’t the enemy I once thought he was.
Kadir sighed, but he didn’t argue. “Fine. But you need to be careful. You won’t have backup after I run.”
“When are you leaving?” I asked, worry flitting through me despite my big talk.
“As soon as I walk out that door.” He paused before continuing, his voice low. “Rhazien has been having nightly meetings with his mother. You could corner him on his way back from one of them. He takes the south servant stairwell.”
My heart quickened in my chest at the thought of finally finishing the mission and removing this collar once and for all.
“Tell Teodosija that I won’t leave until the job is done,” I said firmly. “And tell my brother that I’ll meet them in Sailtown when everything is over. The Red Wilds aren’t safe. Go through the Bone gap.”
“You’re crazy,” Kadir muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. Theron had already searched Sailtown and came up short. He wouldn’t do it again, but Kadir didn’t know that.
“I’ll be fine. See you soon.”
