The Crimson Dagger
A Short Story
by Nicole Autumn
The rowdy tavern crowd is making my palms itch. I hate being in crowded enclosed spaces. It's too easy to slip a dagger, stab someone, and move away without being seen, but one of my contacts said they had a job for me.
"The crowd seems merry, so why are you so glum?" Alaric slips next to me, and I give him a dead stare.
"You know I hate taverns, but you insist this is where we should meet." I cross my arms over my chest and lean back in my chair, unamused by his venue choice.
"Katarina Eldarien, you're such a stick in the mud. The tavern is a great place to have some ale, a meal, and possibly round up a good fuck for yourself. I know that's what I plan to do." Alaric twiddles his fingers in a wave at a red head a few tables over, who leans on her elbows, pushing her boobs up, and batting her lashes at him.
I roll my eyes at the blatant display of lust and lean closer to him. "The contract you wanted to discuss?"
"Straight to business so we can move on to pleasure, I see." Alaric places his hand on my thigh, and I smack it away, but he shrugs as if it's my loss. I've heard whispers about him being a great lay, but something about him never enticed me; maybe it's because he's also an assassin. The thought of trusting him enough to fuck him makes me cringe. I wouldn't lie my daggers down for any man I couldn't completely trust, even if it was for a quick ten-minute lay.
"Word is there's a contract out for King Augustine set by our good King Nathaniel for 100,000 gold astras." Alaric wags his brows at me over the hefty reward. Most bounties are only a few hundred gold astras, so for one to be priced so high means it will have every assassin gunning for Augustine.
"When was the contract released?" I ask, leaning closer to ensure no one else can hear our conversation.
"It hasn't yet. A trusted source told me it'll be released tomorrow evening, with King Nathaniel making a proclamation to the kingdom."
"So, why aren't you keeping this to yourself?" I look at him quizzically. There's something he isn't telling me.
"Going after a king is suicide. I may love the money, but I can't spend it if I'm dead," he says as he waves over a barmaid, and she moves quickly to his side.
"What do you want?" The robust, older woman places her hands on her hips, annoyed that she has to wait for him to think about his order.
"I want two ales and a room," Alaric says sweetly, hoping to charm her.
"Talk to Sweez for your room," she says and walks off to get the ale.
"If I were you, I would get to Nathaniel first so he doesn't release the contract tomorrow, and you're the only assassin going after it."
Alaric makes a good point. If I can get to him first, with my track record, it would be an easy decision. I'm the best assassin in all three kingdoms. My successful kill list has grown so long I don't keep count anymore. All of them were political rivals or key military figures in the other two kingdoms. I refuse to take civilian contracts and get caught up in petty squabbles. I'm in this business for the money, and I didn't get this good to just off someone's crazy husband or wife.
Living on the streets with nothing and no one to take care of me meant I had to fend for myself. When war broke out between the kingdoms, they quickly realized that fighting in the Grimhollow Forest, which connected all of them, was impossible. It's enchanted with ancient magic, which allows the forest to protect itself and all who reside in it.
So the kingdoms turned to the assassins to fight the silent battles. Now, being 29, I have honed my skills to perfection. Some people in the other kingdoms had even given me the nickname of The Crimson Dagger. My black daggers and my red face scarf are my trademark. The daggers alone wouldn't give me away, as they aren't anything unique except the color, although it's common enough, but both together are my tell.
My identity has been kept a closely guarded secret. Only a few people know my face and name, Alaric included. He had saved my ass at the ripe age of 19. Being a few years older, he thought saving me would mean I would repay him in bed, but boy, was he wrong.
The barmaid places the ales on the table and holds out her hand to Alaric, who places two astras in her palm, before closing his hand over hers, flipping it over, and kissing the top of her knuckles.
"You devil," she says and swats his hand away, but I saw the smirk that pulled at her mouth as she turned away from us.
"Well, I'm going to go get 100,000 astras," I stand and grab one of the ales, throwing it back and slapping the wooden mug back on the table.
"That was mine, you twit," Alaric says haughtily.
"I'll pay you back when I get my reward."
"I'm holding you to that," Alaric yells from behind me as I exit the tavern and onto the dark street. It's quiet out, the noise from the tavern fading in the distance. As I make my way through the winding roads, I hear the faint sounds of people closing their shutters, getting children to bed, and even muffled cries. Whether they are from children or their mothers, I don't know, but times have been hard here since the start of the war. Food has been scarce, and medical supplies are even more so. Death is becoming an all too common occurrence from things like treatable illnesses or starvation.
This contract for King Augustine could change everything for my kingdom of Ravenmoor. It could mean access to trade again, so people could get the things they need to survive.
I move quickly and quietly through the shadows until I reach the king's home. The castle is modest compared to the other kingdoms that rob their citizens to live in their grand castles while their people starve.
I pull my red scarf up to cover my face before heading to the guards. They stop me before I flash them the tattoo of my assassin's insignia on my arm that's specific to our kingdom. Ironbriar brands their assassins, while Timbervale has a particular set of piercings and jewelry.
They don't question it, and it never fails to amaze me how trusting they are, but my tattoo commands respect and invites violence. Anyone who wasn't an actual assassin would be a fool and wind up dead if they didn't have the skills to defend themselves. Getting the tattoo just to get into more secure locations would be idiotic.
Most of the contracts I've taken have come from the king himself or his generals. So I go to the meeting room, expecting to wait for his arrival, but it seems another assassin beat me to him. I flex my shoulders back and stand tall when I spot them talking. I give them space, but I'm still close enough to hear what they're discussing.
"Sire, I beg you. I can handle this contract." Fuck, the others must have heard about it, unless it's for another high-ranking official.
"I don't think you're suited for it, but here, die on your own terms." The king hands him a roll of parchment, and the assassin bows before leaving quietly.
"Sire," I bow until he responds, but I never lower my scarf. Even the king doesn't know my true identity, and neither of us ever felt the need for full disclosure, as I've proven my loyalty a hundred times over.
"I was expecting to see you tonight, Katarina." He moves around the desk at the center of the room and sits behind it. Moving to stand before him, I get ready to make my case.
"You can have it." The king cuts me off, pulling another parchment from the drawer and handing it to me.
"Are you going to release it tomorrow?" I ask, hoping he wouldn't, but I know he's fed up with the war and wants it to be over.
Hell, as much as I hate this war, I'm benefiting from it. No war, no contracts, no money, but I know our people need it to end.
"I will give you a week before I release the contract to the other assassins." He looks me in the eye, knowing I'm one of the few capable of this level of work.
"Thank you, sire," I bow again and turn to leave.
"Do me a favor. When you kill Augustine, bring me his head, and do anything necessary to end this war."
"Of course, sire." I leave quickly, tucking the parchment in my leather vest.
Leaving the castle behind, I wander the dark cobblestone streets, moving through the shadows with ease, knowing most people are sound asleep or stumbling home from the tavern. My home is a small cottage on the edge of town, where people stay far away since it has issues with bandits. However, I have made my reputation clear, and no one has dared to rob me.
So when I open the door and find it dark and quiet, I let out a sigh of relief. I could rest through the night, but I only have a week to get this mission done, and it might take me just that long to get close enough to the man to kill him.
I stuff food, a change of clothes, a satchel of gold astras, and a few extra weapons in my bag, and I'm back out the door. The travel alone will take me all night and day to reach the edge of Ironbriar, King Augustine's kingdom.
The travel was quiet, and I made it to the border in record time. As the sun was setting, I headed to the tavern hoping to overhear drunk patrons spilling the news of Ironbriar, even though I despise taverns.
Turns out the King is having a ball tomorrow night to celebrate a victory. That will give me the perfect opportunity to slip into the castle relatively unnoticed. A fancy dress will be enough to trick them into letting me in, and showing up a few hours after it starts will mean they have drunk enough for them to let their guard down.
I head to an abandoned cottage in the forest that I use occasionally when working in Ironbriar to get some needed rest. The high grass in the meadows is soft and filled with wildflowers, but in the deep underbrush, you can sense the ancient magic that lives in everything. The earth, trees, and soil seem to hum a tune that resonates deeply with my soul. When one takes life so often, it's easy to notice when life is thrumming all around you. This forest is alive, and those stupid enough to tempt their fates here are bound to spend eternity locked in its depths. So when I lay my head down for the night, I have no fear of harm, and the sleep I get in an abandoned cabin is the best sleep I've ever had.
Now that the sun has risen, I go to one of the nicer dress shops in town and purchase a navy gown made of the finest silks. The sleeves are long and billowy, allowing me to stash my daggers and throwing knives, while also hiding my tattoo. It's lightweight, making for an easier escape, and features a beautiful gold leaf design along the dress, which extends over the shoulders to create a leafy lace. I head to a jeweler to purchase a large sapphire pendant encrusted with gold designs. I couldn't have found a better set if I had asked the gods themselves. I found a simpler pair of gold earrings and then headed to the local inn.
I paid for a room purely for appearances. I pull on my gown, tie the ribbon holding the pendant, and put in my earrings. Then I hide my weapons in my dress. Half of the battle is being able to pull off the perfect disguise. The lack of my preferred scarf covering my face makes my palms sweat, but tonight, it's makeup that's called for. I hate being so exposed, but this is the king. If I could kill him, I could end the war. I would have no need for anonymity if I'm successful, but if I'm not, that could mean the end of my career in a whole different way. There would be a price on my head that would rival the king's. My reputation would be shot, and I can't afford that.
Leaving the inn, the streets are buzzing with excitement as the sun hovers just above the horizon. The commoners will party outside on castle grounds, but those who appear wealthy will be let inside to party with King Augustine, hence the reason for my shopping spree.
When I cross the drawbridge to the castle grounds, the party is already in full swing. Eyes fall on me as I enter, whistles and drunken men call out for my attention, but my eyes lock onto the guards at the castle doors.
"Who are you?" The guard asks, inspecting me.
"I'm Lady Anastasia Celestina. I'm here to celebrate the king's noble victory over our enemies." Batting my lashes at the men. They relax at my overtly loyal response and give me another once-over before allowing me through.
I swallow the nerves that have my heart pounding in my chest. Even the wrong word could give me away, and that would mean a quick and dangerous retreat, which would put me at a disadvantage. I'm an assassin, not a soldier. I move in the shadows, and stealth is my best weapon; head-on combat with two guards in armor would not end well for me.
I follow behind a couple who are walking at a leisurely pace to the grand hall. Voices of merriment carry down the corridor, music and laughter ring out, and I'm greeted by the most audacious display of wealth I've ever seen. Gold adorned everything from columns to curtain rods and candle holders. The glint from the precious metal gave off an obnoxious glare that made my eyes uncomfortable. Two tables, the length of the grand hall, were full of food, amounts that could easily feed an entire village for one room of people. The sight sickens me, knowing there are people at home who are hungry, and half of this likely won't get eaten.
I don't linger in the doorway long to avoid drawing any unnecessary attention. King Augustine's boisterous laughter echoes around the room, giving me his exact location. I find a pillar on the edges of the grand hall to stand near so I can watch him. As a server walks by, I grab a crystal glass of mead. Even the cups are sickly expensive.
The women flock to King Augustine like flies to horse manure, and I don't understand what they see besides bags of gold astras. His queen had died under suspicious circumstances almost a year ago, and the rumors floated around that he had paid an assassin to have her killed. But I'm not here to find out if there's any truth to those rumors.
King Augustine walks up several steps toward his throne, yelling out a cheer to gather the room's attention.
"Today, we celebrate another glorious victory over our foe. Although I can't say they will be foes for much longer. This attack will cripple the filthy kingdom of Ravenmoor."
The crowd cheers, and I can feel my face getting hot with anger.
"My son, Prince Rupert, has successfully led an attack on their merchant ships in the dead of night." Another cheer rang out. My heart races and sinks all at once. My hands shake in anger while heat flushes my neck and chest.
That attack will cripple my kingdom. We needed the food and medical supplies. After their attacks on our crop fields this past summer, we have been using our reserves and trading with kingdoms overseas. It has taken months for those ships to arrive with food and medicine to survive the winter. Now, it's gone, sitting at the bottom of the ocean with no way to retrieve it.
I crush the crystal glass in my hand, mead spilling everywhere.
"Shit," I mutter, as I drop the broken pieces and thank the gods it didn't slice open my hand. The king cheers with the men around him, and my eyes never leave him as I imagine ways to make him pay for what he's done.
"It looks like you need this." A man's voice, smooth as velvet, comes from behind me.
I rounded on him, unnerved that he snuck up on me unnoticed, but he held out a handkerchief. My breath catches when I finally take in the man's face; he's deadly gorgeous. His black hair is long and brushes the back of his neck with pieces that frame his face, stopping short of his strong, stubbled jaw.
"Thank you. With all this excitement, I guess I don't know my own strength," I giggle, clumsily, the anger still tainting my words. I wipe my hands and the front of my dress before handing it back. He takes it but remains where he stands. Still furious at the news, I try to be civil.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" I ask, irritated that he won't leave.
"I noticed you weren't conversing with the other ladies and thought I could steal your attention." The gorgeous man holds out his arm, and I cautiously place my hand in the crook of his elbow. He's dressed nicely but also with function. Maybe this is one of Augustine's guards, but I've never seen him before.
He leads me away from the crowd until we stand before a hallway, and the slightest panic sneaks in before I try to settle it. He's pulling me from my target, leaving me exposed for someone to sneak up behind me. Now I'm getting this sinking feeling that this won't be an innocent, flirtatious conversation.
"And what would you like to speak about, my lord?" I assume he is of a higher social status based on his attire.
"A lord? How gracious, but I noticed you aren't interacting with anyone. You haven't eaten, and the glass of mead you just crushed went untouched. Not to mention, your eyes have yet to stray from the King."
"I can't help that I find the king to be such a treasure." The bounty on his head is enough to set me up for a while, so a treasure he is indeed when I cut his head from his body.
"He is a treasure to many, but I also find it strange that an unknown Lady Anastasia Celestina has made an appearance. I make it my business to know everyone, and I don't know you." He steps forward, pushing me further down the isolated hallway, and my stomach twists at this turn of events.
Damn it. I got sloppy. I was so angry about the news the King relayed that I let my defenses slip. He could spot the tells, and now I'm in a sticky situation.
"Maybe I value my privacy. Is that a crime?" I glare at him, and a devious smirk pulls at his lips. He takes another step, and I take two back.
"Privacy isn't a crime, but simply appearing out of thin air with no ties to our kingdom on the night the king is holding a ball is suspicious. Wouldn't you agree?" Another step forward, and my back hits the wall. Shit.
"Possibly, but I'm just a woman. I wouldn't know about such things." I try to play the damsel card, but I can see the glint in his enchanting brown eyes that he doesn't believe me. I drop my dagger into my hand from my sleeve, just in case I have to fight my way out.
"Stop!" Yelling and fighting draw his attention away from me and back to the grand hall. Praise the Gods.
As I try to slip away, his arm blocks my escape, but allows me to catch a glimpse over his shoulder when he leans down to put his face close to mine. A rogue is behind him, dagger raised, when I throw my shoulder into him as hard as I can, making him stumble to the side. I throw my dagger, and it plants itself deep into the left eye of the rogue. He drops to his knees. I pull the dagger from his skull and slit his throat for good measure.
As I make a run for the grand hall, a strong hand grabs my wrist, yanking me back to face the mysterious man.
"You're not leaving my sight," he growls between clenched teeth, and his eyes flick to my dagger and back to me.
"I just saved your life. Let me go!" I shout and try to yank my arm free from his grasp, but his grip is relentless. With no other options, I grip my dagger, ready to wield it against him, when I'm yanked forward, and he pushes me behind him. He pulls a sword from a large decorative vase and stabs a man who runs at us. I run toward him, but he holds his arms out, blocking me from moving further into the great hall, when I see King Augustine on his knees and a blade slicing across his throat.
Prince Rupert is stabbed with a sword, and blood spills from his lips.
I failed.
How could so many assassins know about this job? I stagger back. I look closer at the men who are in the throes of battle and realize these aren't assassins. These are mercenaries. Assassins would never make such a bold public display of this massacre.
I've never failed a mission.
The mysterious man turns around and grabs my hand, dragging me behind him.
"Where are you taking me?" I shout as he pulls me down another long hallway.
"To safety." He pulls back a tapestry from the wall, exposing a wooden door. Pulling keys from his pocket, he unlocks it and shoves me inside. It leads us downstairs, and we walk quickly, our feet falling into a steady rhythm, when we reach another door at the bottom. He shoulders past me to unlock it.
He opens the door slowly, but voices reach my ears, and I peer around him. A group of mercenaries chat with each other, and I pull the door closed again.
"We can't stay in here," he whispers harshly.
"I know. We need to run," I whisper back, then tear the silk side panels from my dress. Shortening it considerably, I kick off the heeled shoes. I rip the silk panel into a smaller strip, tying up my hair. Using what's left, I cover my face.
"You're her!" He shouts. My hand flies to his mouth, and I point my dagger at him in my left hand as the cold metal of his blade sits at my throat.
"Shh. You're going to get us both killed. We don't have time for this conversation. We need to get to the forest, or those mercenaries will kill us." The harsh whisper is still too loud, but I hope the mercenaries are too busy to notice. He pushes his blade against my throat, and I press the tip of my dagger to his side. He must not have realized it was there.
He eases up and drops his sword to his side, and I tuck my dagger away.
"They have bows. Weave through the trees," I whisper.
"I know,' he bites back harshly.
But the sound of the handle rattles from the other side. Shit, they heard us. I push the mystery man against the wall, hiking up my leg to his side, and he instinctively grabs it as I yank my scarf down and lean my lips close to his, just as the doors open.
"What are you two doing here?" A stout man with a rough accent asks.
"Can't a lady have a little tryst before the night's end?" I ask as I pull away from the mystery man, who's as wide-eyed as a doe.
"In a castle this big? Why aren't you in a room?" He eyes us suspiciously, and I notice him gripping his blade. I don't want to end up on the wrong end of that.
I look to the mystery man for any help, but he shrugs. We both shove the mercenary out of our way, and we sprint toward the treeline.
"Hey! Get back here!" Another man yells from behind us. I pull up my scarf just before I jump over a bush and then over a fallen log. I pump my arms, and the man who runs at my side is keeping pace, which surprises me.
Who the hell is he?
An arrow whizzes past me and sinks into a tree just ahead. We're so close to the coverage of the forest. The loud footfalls of people chasing behind us, branches and leaves crunching and breaking beneath their feet, push me harder.
Another arrow flies past, and I say a silent prayer to the gods to make it to the abandoned cottage. But first, I need to ditch the mystery man and disappear.
Snap!
"Ahh," He hisses through his teeth as I take a sharp right turn, but I stop dead in my tracks as I look back at him. He stands and tries to limp toward me, and everything in me is screaming to run, to leave him to his fate, but he saved my life.
"Shit," I say harshly as I run back to him, taking his arm over my shoulder, and we move quickly behind a tree when the earth rumbles violently—the once peaceful forest, now menacing with each quake. The spirits and magic that protect the land are now violently angry. Mystery man leans against the tree, and I lose my footing as vines erupt from the forest floor, grabbing the mercenaries. He yanks me into his chest, holding me tightly to him when the ground opens up and swallows the mercenaries.
Only the sounds of the night and our hard breathing can be heard. My chest heaves, and I lay my head on the mystery man's chest in relief as I try to catch my breath. The forest's overwhelming outrage subsides around us now that peace has been restored.
When I look up at him, I'm not sure if the fire in his eyes is from anger or something else. When I try to pull away, he keeps a firm grip on me. I'm now keenly aware of the hard ridges of his body pressed against mine, and my heart races for an entirely different reason.
My eyes trace over every inch of his stubbled face, his parted full lips, and his rich brown eyes framed by black hair as dark as the night sky. He reaches up and pulls the silk down, exposing my face.
His eyes bore into mine, and my heart races uncontrollably. "You're incredible," he whispers. Suddenly, his lips are on mine, and our kiss devours us. My fingers dig into his side, and his hand runs along my jaw, cupping my face. His touch is both demanding and gentle. The heat and electricity between us are so intense that the urge to take him here and now is overwhelming.
A snap of a branch nearby breaks us apart, and his sudden jerk of movement has him wincing and sucking air through his teeth. Thankfully, it was just a deer that had already run off once it saw us.
"Come on." I grab his arm and wrap it around my shoulder again.
"Why should I trust you?" he asked, but he limped forward with me, anyway.
"You shouldn't." I step over a smaller log and help him over it. "But I use the abandoned cottage close by to stash medical supplies. I can get the arrow out of your leg, wrap it, and then you can go on your merry way."
I can feel his eyes on me as I help him toward the cottage, which comes into view after our short, tense walk in silence.
I kick the door open and move him over to the small bed. He sits, and I drag over a small stool to prop up his leg. I light the lantern, then grab the supplies I'm going to need for his leg.
"You're her, aren't you?" he asks just as I cut the arrow tip from the shaft, and he winces, gripping the old blanket in his fist.
"Here." I hand him a small bottle of alcohol. He uncaps it and takes two long swallows. I watch as his Adam's apple bobs and the thick muscles in his neck stretch and flex. He lets out a harsh breath and a cough. The alcohol is cheap, and the burn is nasty, but it will help with the pain.
"Are you going to answer my question?" He pushes.
"I will answer if you tell me your name and why you were at the ball?" I shoot back. "You might want to bite on this." I hand him a thick strap of leather, and he places it between his teeth.
"On three, I'm going to push it through," I say, and he nods. "One... Two..." I shove the shaft of the arrow back out of his leg, and his muffled scream pierces the silence.
I put pressure on his wound with a clean cloth, and he dropped the leather from his mouth.
"Lucian. My name is Lucian, and I'm King Augustine's bastard." I freeze as my eyes meet his. "Trust me, there is no love lost with his or Rupert's death." His chest heaves as he tries to even out his breathing.
"Why were you there?" I ask as I finish wrapping a bandage around his thigh.
"Rupert was a twat. He didn't lead the attack against Ravenmoor's ships; that was one of Augustine's captains. Word of Rupert's incompetence was spreading, and Augustine knew if the people turned on Rupert, he would need a backup plan."
"You?" I ask, doubtful that Augustine would leave his kingdom to a bastard heir.
"I lived with my mother growing up, but I've been shadowing him for months, proving my loyalty, showing up at his side. First, I was Augustine's councilor to the kingdom, but earlier, at the start of the ball, he announced me as his son and second in line to the throne. You seemed to have missed it."
"Well, it looks like it's your lucky day. You just won the throne," I say bitterly.
"Look, I didn't want to be a king. But now that the responsibility will fall on my shoulders, I won't rule the way my father did. I don't want to be at war. He thrived on cheating, stealing, and killing anyone who got in his way. If the assassins weren't killing his men, he was. I won't be like that."
"I'm sure. They all say that before they're bribed with riches, power, and sex," I sneer.
"Is that how your king is?" He bites back.
"No, he tries to take care of his people, but your father has crushed us beneath his boot. Because of that attack on those merchant ships, my people will die. So, excuse me if I don't take you at your word. Any offspring of that man is bound to be evil." I push back the stool I was sitting on, but he reaches forward, grabbing my wrist, stilling my movement.
"I'm not evil," he says through clenched teeth and shoves my hand away.
"Well, now it looks like you'll have the chance to prove that," I bite back, then stand and clean up the mess. "Get some rest. You have a kingdom to get back to tomorrow." I pack away my medical supplies and step out of the cottage to get some air.
The king's bastard son.
I'm supposed to end this war by any means necessary. Killing him could be an option, but that would leave Ironbriar up for grabs, and that could lead to another whole host of problems. If he's telling the truth and plans to rule differently from his father, he could be the best option. It wouldn't take long, though, for King Augustine's most trusted advisors to worm their way into Lucian's head.
Shit. What am I going to do about him? I don't trust him, but I trust King Augustine's advisors less. Well, that's tomorrow's problem, and I want to enjoy the cool autumn night.
The forest is alive with the sounds of the nocturnal animals coming out to hunt. Owls hoot in the distance as the frogs and bugs sing their nightly serenade. There are small patches of glowing moss along the riverbanks, illuminating a deer leaning its head down to lap at the gently flowing water. Even when you expect it to be quiet, the forest is alive and majestic.
Today's events weigh on me, and my eyes feel just as heavy as exhaustion hits. I resign and head back inside the cottage to find Lucian has removed his outer layers and vest, leaving him in a thin cotton shirt with a deep V neckline that exposes the top of his chest. He has his hands under his head and stares at the ceiling.
I grab my bag, pull it open, and grab clothes so I can change out of this dress. I head to the door again, deciding to change where the animals could see me rather than Lucian.
"Are you changing outside?" Lucian asks just as I grab the knob to the door.
"Yeah," I answer matter-of-factly.
"It's cold outside." He states.
"I'll be fine. I've dealt with worse." I yank open the wooden door, ready for that to be the end of the subject.
"I can roll over so you can change in here."
I turn to stare at him, and he's propped up on his elbow, his body drawing my eyes to places I shouldn't pay attention to.
"Afraid I may run off in the middle of the night and leave you?" I tease, and he lets out a playful chuckle. His smile makes my heart pound and my stomach flutter. There is no denying he's gorgeous. He must have gotten that from his mother, because he looks nothing like Augustine.
Bless his mother because holy hell, the way he's looking at me is making my insides turn to jelly.
"Maybe," he smiles.
"Bold move to flirt with me, you know."
"What is life without some risk?" That elicits a chuckle of my own as I roll my eyes.
"Roll over, then," I instruct as I close the door and walk over to the table to place everything back down. I remove my throwing knives and daggers, then pull my dress over my head, letting the ruined garment fall to the floor.
The overwhelming realization that I'm completely naked with the enemy's son right behind me slaps me in the face. I peek over my shoulder to see he's still staring at the wall of the cabin. Dressing quickly, I then hide my knives and daggers and lace up my boots.
"Done," I say.
"That was quick."
"In my line of work, speed can mean life or death," I say as I let my hair down from the silk tie from earlier.
Placing a chair against the wall, I settle into it and prepare to sleep.
"Are you going to sleep in the chair?" Lucian asks, and I huff in annoyance.
"Yes, where else would I sleep?" I ask.
"The bed has room enough for both of us," he gestures to the small space beside him. The only way we would both fit is if we spooned, and that feels dangerous.
"Trying to get me in the sack, I see, but that's a little too close for comfort," I say as I lean my head back against the wall, closing my eyes.
"Suit yourself." Lucian drops the conversation, and soon we are both sleeping.
My body aches, and my neck feels like it's kinked in a weird way. When I open my eyes, it's still dark out. I'm not sure of the time, but Lucian is still sound asleep, and the bed looks enticing. Just the thought of even that thin mattress, and being able to stretch out, sounds divine. I could lie next to him and be up before he wakes. He would be none the wiser, but if he woke up, he did offer me the bed. So I'm not crossing any unspoken boundaries.
I chew on my bottom lip, trying to decide the best way to go about this. If I sleep on this chair the rest of the night, tomorrow's travel will be hell. I need to get back to Ravenmoor, and a good rest is key. I move silently and lie next to Lucian, being sure not to touch him as I curl up on the very edge. Now I may get some decent sleep.
Birds songs and the morning sun peeks through the cracks of the window shutters. I was able to get the rest I have been so desperately needing. Taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air, I notice a weight along my stomach and realize Lucian has his arm slung over me and his face buried in my hair. I try to slip off the edge of the bed, but he grunts and pulls me closer, his body flush against mine, and something else quickly catches my attention when I'm poked in the hip.
Frozen and not sure what to do, I clear my throat. Lucian's grip relaxes and his eyes flutter open.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist me," he says, and I balk at his insinuation.
"More like the bed. You just happened to be laying in it." Lucian stretches, pushing his morning erection against my hip harder than before. I get up quickly, not wanting to entertain the dirty thoughts running through my head.
"So I have a proposition for you?" Lucian says.
"And that is?" I ask, staring at his face, trying to avoid looking down at the tent that is currently being pitched in his pants.
"Be my queen." The shock made me freeze.
'What?" I stutter.
"Be my queen."
"Why would I ever agree to that?" He has clearly lost his mind. The pain must have scrambled his brain.
"I know who you are and all about the reputation of The Crimson Dagger," he says. It's a weak threat at best. "I have no desire to wed any of the snakes in that court. When I become king, they will want me to take a bride, and I've seen what they're capable of, and I've witnessed firsthand what you're capable of."
"Again, what makes you think I will agree to this? There is nothing in it for me?"
"What do you want?" He asks with genuine curiosity and a willingness to negotiate.
"Well, I lost 100,000 gold astras last night. That would be a start." I say, crossing my arms, knowing there's no way he would ever give me that much.
"You want money, I can give you money. I can provide your kingdom with money. We can open up trade and reestablish peace. Marrying the best assassin of Ravenmoor would be a way to bridge the gap, a marriage and political alliance to bring peace and end the war. You aren't royalty, but your reputation precedes you, and that would be enough."
Everything in me says this is a terrible idea, but a small voice in the back of my mind says this might just be crazy enough to work. I wasn't sure how to make sure he would keep his word to be a better ruler than his father. Being at his side would ensure that. With my personal working with the king of Ravenmoor, I could keep tabs on Lucian and be a spy if need be. King Nathaniel said to do anything necessary to end the war, and this just may be it.
"My people can't eat money. They need food, medicine, and materials," I challenge, wanting to see how much he would give to have me at his side.
"I can have that all sent out as soon as I claim the throne—a decree if I have to." Lucian moves to sit, placing his elbows on his knees.
"How do I know this isn't some ploy to get the best assassin off your ass?" I ask, knowing this isn't the case, but wanting him to work for the answer I had already decided on.
"I wouldn't mind trying to evade you the rest of my life, if it meant I got to see you often." His eyes blaze with hunger, and heat rises in my cheeks.
"Well, with my reputation, you would only see me once, before you met your Gods," I smirk at him, and he chuckles.
"How can I get you to agree? I'm going to pull this kingdom back together. I can't worry about wedding one of the women at court." He scrubs a hand down his face, the weight of what's to come weighing on him.
"You poor thing." I tease, and he gives me a droll look.
"Please, do I need to beg on my hands and knees?" he asks.
"You would look pretty good on your knees in front of me," I smile wickedly, and a glint of mischief twinkles in his eyes. He moves as if to get down on the floor, but I stop him. I pull up the stool and sit before him.
"I don't want to be known as the assassin from Ravenmoor. That stays between you and me." I point between us. "My true identity must remain a secret. If you double-cross and expose me, I will kill you just as fast as the betrayal left your lips." The flirtatious tone is gone and replaced by an equally deadly one.
"I swear it. So, do we have a deal, Lady Anastasia Celestina?" He holds out his hand, and I take it in mine, shaking to this wild, stupid, brilliant plan.
"It's Katarina Eldarien, but you can call me whatever you want as long as you bring peace and end the war."
"Deal."
The End... or is it?