He sighed heavily, already half-asleep.
While slowly rubbing one of his temples, I eased the vault key on its chain out of my breast band.
I gently nestled the key among his other necklaces and guided the two ends of the chain around his neck.
His deep breathing shifted the key the tiniest bit, and it clinked against the other necklaces.
I froze, waiting, a dozen excuses filling my mouth. But his eyes remained closed. I circled my thumbs over his neck while catching the dangling chains. Holding my breath, I pinched the two ends together. The clasp slipped through my sweaty fingers.
Gods damn it! Fucking Four! Help me!
I dug my knuckles into his neck, bracing against him to fumble with the clasp again.
Asher bolted upright, yanking the chain from my fingers. I gasped. He twisted to face me, his eyes wild.
And the key tumbled from his neck to land between us.
Chapter 25
Kiera
“Are... are you all right?”I cried. “I’m so sorry, my lord. I was rubbing your neck, and your necklace snagged on my bracelet. I would never?—”
“Hush, hush, my darling.” He patted my knee, his voice creaky with sleep. “You did nothing wrong. I’ve been prone to nightmares since I was a child. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He scooped the key and its chain into his palm. “This gods-damned chain is so old; I need to replace it, anyway.”
“I feel terrible,” I whispered, pressing my shaking hands to my cheeks. “I was trying to comfort you, and instead, you had a nightmare...”
Asher smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s not your fault. Hazard of my job, I’m afraid.”
I frowned. Did he not like being High Treasurer? It wasn’t easy working with my father, but Asher seemed so carefree. Guilt nipped at my conscience. What would Asher do when he discovered the theft? Would he be punished?
“Don’t you worry your pretty head about me,” Asher said, tucking the key into his pocket. “But I feel I’m not the best host at the moment. I would like a second chance soon. If you’ll grant me one?”
I nodded. Melaena would have to make up some story about why he’d never see Katerina again.
“You’re welcome to stay with me. I have the largest bath in the mansion if you would like to use it.”
“Thank you, but I think I should return to the others.”
“Of course. I can walk you, if you’d like.”
I slid off the bed, eager to flee. “That’s kind, but not necessary. I wish you more pleasant dreams, Asher.”
He gave me a wan smile. “Perhaps I’ll dream of you.”
I smiled back but said nothing.I hope you forget me.
I slipped out the door and all but ran back to the dressing room. A splash told me someone was still in the bath, but I didn’t look. I threw on my cloak and tugged down the hood as far as it would go.
From there, it was a simple matter of empty halls and well-oiled doors. A sense of elation rose in my chest as I closed the mansion door behind me. The outside air never smelled sweeter. I smiled back at the grinning moon and took off down the gravel path.
The guards barely glanced at me and opened the gate. Perhaps they were used to letting out late-night visitors smothered in cloaks.
I darted through the sleeping quarter, the dark alleys familiar and less threatening than those the Shadow-Wolves roamed.
Melaena had left the back door ofThe Silk Dancerunlocked, as she’d promised. I let myself into the dark dressing room.
I felt my way toward the lamp on the wall, grazing the porcelain tub as I did so.
