“Not without you,” I reminded him bitterly.
“Even then, I can’t promise anything.” Aiden sat back into the shadows. “You would be safer far from here, Kiera.”
He would give up his chance at the gold to keep me out of Aquinon? What game was this? I frowned and glanced at Maz, who shifted uncomfortably.
“What he means is, we’ve seen a lot of suffering and death,” Maz said. “We don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Or you simply want me out of the way to conduct your crimes.
“I’m staying,” I said. “I want my fair share of the gold. I want to take it from the bastards who did this to me.” I swallowed. “To Julian.”
“Then you’ll leave right after the heist,” Aiden replied. “That gold will buy you a life anywhere you want... and your silence.” He stood and slowly extended his hand from the shadows. An offering, a promise.
I rose to my feet and stepped into the shadows with him. “Deal.”
I placed my hand in his, and he gripped it as hard as I did.
“Then we have work to do, little thief.”
Chapter 9
Kiera
I hated waiting.And yet, here I was, doing it again.
Aiden and Maz had left hours ago, and Ruru had taken the position of my keeper instead. The boy had been elated that I was staying, and he was a much nicer jailer than my last one. But that didn’t change the situation.
From one cell to another, I thought grimly, lying on my dirty blanket. I doubted Aiden would appreciate the sentiment.
He’d told me to “rest and heal” as he left me here under Ruru’s cheerful watch. More like “keep quiet and out of the way as I handle matters I don’t want you to witness.”
Earning Aiden’s trust would take time, but by the Four, I would have him wrapped around my finger by the end of this. Then his secrets would be mine for the taking. If he was a threat to the safety of my family or the security of my kingdom, it was my duty to destroy him.
I glanced at Ruru, who was busy tying knots into a length of rope. Perhaps I could keep him out of whatever consequences befell Aiden.
After the cries of seagulls faded with the light, the door finally banged open. Ruru jerked upright, his knotted rope tumbling to the floor.
I merely glanced at Aiden’s dark features from where I rested. But a tremor of anticipation curled through my chest at his appearance. He wore a long cloak over his shoulders, the hood drawn up over his dark hair. The hem fluttered around dark, scuffed boots. He held another cloak in his fist. For me?
His eyes flickered to me first, as if to make sure I was still there, then focused on Ruru.
“Sophie’s got dinner for you,” he told Ruru.
“Thank the Four,” Ruru said, scrambling to his feet. He waved at me. “Be seeing you, Kiera.”
I gave him a stiff smile. “I’m sure.”
He disappeared as I clambered to my feet. Aiden watched me carefully. A strange, tense silence enveloped us like thick, sticky honey. Gods, I was hungry again.
“No dinner for me?” I quipped.
“Not yet. We have somewhere to be first.” He handed me the cloak. “Are you rested enough for a long walk?”
“I’ve had all day,” I said dryly. I pressed my fingers to my ribs. They still ached, but the pain was less sharp. “What was that salve you gave me? It worked wonders.”
He didn’t answer immediately. He always seemed to be weighing the risk of giving me information, even as innocuous as this. Unless I provoked him. Which I certainly looked forward to doing again.
“People call it Viridana’s Kiss in honor of the goddess,” he said. “Made from certain root powders and plant sap, it numbs the skin and speeds the re-gathering of blood.”
