I was risking my life to steal the Selenian Jewel. But these feelings growing for her… It felt like I was risking even more.
Chapter 23
Emmeline
Icrouched over Valen, who was lying facedown on the floor. I held the finest lock pick set I’d ever seen, but the lock on the clasp was so damned tiny and delicate. If I could just...
The clasp popped open. I yanked the replica necklace off Valen and stood.
“Not fast enough,” he said, sitting up.
I threw back my head and groaned.
We’d been practicing for hours. Well, I’d been practicing. Valen had been doing an impression of the princess passed out from dream dust.
“That was the fastest I’ve done it yet,” I said.
He got to his feet and took the necklace from me. “But you could be faster.”
God and Goddess, I hated it when he was right. Every instant counted during a heist.
“Can we take a break? I’m losing feeling in my fingers.” I wiggled them in his face for emphasis.
His eyebrows arched. He was going to be a strict taskmaster again, wasn’t he?
I stepped forward and pecked him on the lips. “Pretty please?”
He stared at me, mouth slightly open but no words coming out. I’d wanted to stun him like that for a long time. Who would’ve guessed kissing was the secret?
“That... isn’t playing fair.”
I cupped his face and kissed him again, more deeply. I could get used to this.
“Fine,” he grunted, a faint flush to his face.
He went to his desk and sat down. We were in his chateau’s library. The circular chamber rose two stories high, crowned by a domed ceiling that mimicked the night sky. The air carried the comforting aroma of aged parchment and ink, and thick stone walls prevented outdoor sounds from intruding.
I sat on the edge of his desk, causing him to glance at my ass before looking back at his paperwork and pretending he hadn’t. I’d rarely been pleased by a man’s attraction to me unless I was distracting one before robbing him. Attraction meant danger. I stole money and valuables, but too many men stole much worse from women, especially poor nobodies like me.
It had been different with Philippe since I’d found him attractive, too—not particularly handsome but so slick that he could’ve talked a rat out of its last crumb. His interest had flattered me, especially since my natural form was nothing special.
Did Valen only find me attractive because I didn’t look like myself? He’d only shown interest recently after getting to know me, so I hoped it wasn’t just physical...
Hell, I was probably a fool. I kept telling myself I couldn’t trust him, but I wanted to kiss him again more than anything. He was a much better kisser than Philippe. It made me wonder what else he was better at, a fantasy I’d never dared to entertain. I’d grown up in a place where sex meant women faking pleasure while men used them. Ysabel, Alainne, Jacotte—they’d all died in childbirth. The stillbirth of my half-sibling had nearly claimed my mother. Philippe’s careless fumbling hadn’t convinced me that sex was worth the risk. But Valen… Oh, Valen was dangerous.
“Working doesn’t count as a break, you know,” I said as he did paperwork.
He held up two pieces of paper. “These came the other day.”
Thick, well-made paper. Ornate border of glimmering stars. The ink looked like it might be real gold. Expensive, but I couldn’t tell anything else.
“What are they?” I asked.
“Invitations to the royal ball.”
“Oh.” I took them, fingers brushing over the papers’ smooth finish. “Who else gets one?”
“All the major government officials and court appointments. The knights, magistrates, members of the lunar council. Every noble lord and lady along with their named heir. A few ambassadors...”
