“He was already in the room before I arrived,” Jayveh said. “He must have been. He was lying under the bed for hours before my maids left. He was waiting for me to fall asleep.” She blinked quickly, forcing back tears that were barely obvious in her voice as she said, “We were both lying in the dark room, and I didn’t know it. How did I not hear him breathing?”
Carver settled a hand on her knee, stilling the slight tremor that ran through her body. “Good assassins train well. You couldn’t have known.”
Jayveh’s jaw tightened. “He must have thought I’d fallen asleep. I’d been crying, but when I stopped . . . That’s when he slid out from under the bed. He moved silently, but I saw him rise.”
Her flood of terror was wholly understandable, as was the intense rush of violation that came from such an attack. Amryn felt it all, making her own palms dampen with sweat, her pulse suddenly too loud in her ears.
Jayveh glanced down at her hand, and for the first time Amryn noticed the smeared droplets of blood on her dark skin. “I’ve been sleeping with a dagger ever since Argent was taken.”
“Did the assassin say anything?” Carver asked.
“No. He just lifted his knife. Instead of rolling away from him, I rolled toward him. I must have surprised him because he didn’t even try to fight me. I shoved my blade in his gut. I didn’t hesitate.” Her hand pressed more firmly against her abdomen. “I just reacted.”
“You did well,” Carver assured her.
Jayveh shook her head. “He slit his own throat before my screams could bring the guards in. We didn’t get to question him.”
“It’s all right,” he said, obviously trying to soothe her. “We can learn about him through his clothing, his weapons—we’ll find whoever hired him.”
“Could it be the same person who hired the mercenaries that ambushed us on the road?” Amryn asked.
“It’s a possibility.” Carver frowned. “But the attack on the road was about all the Chosen, while this strike was targeted.”
“Someone wants me dead,” Jayveh stated. The skin around her eyes tightened. “Or my baby.”
“Hardly anyone knows about your pregnancy,” Carver pointed out. “It’s much more likely the assassin was trying to kill you.”
“Or Argent,” Jayveh said. “If they thought he’d be in here with me, he could have been the planned target.”
“It’s possible,” Carver allowed. “But whoever hired this assassin must have known we were coming. It’s the only way they could have made the arrangements so quickly.”
“But, the emperor would have only shared that knowledge with people he trusted,” Jayveh said slowly.
Carver’s expression was grim. “I know.”
There was a short silence, into which Amryn whispered, “Could it have been Trevill?”
Jayveh frowned. “He’s in prison.”
“Yes, but what if he wasn’t working alone in Esperance?” Amryn asked. She glanced at Carver. “If he had an accomplice who also wanted Esperance to fail, maybe they’re here at the palace. Trevill might have sent word that we’d be coming, before he was arrested.”
“But Trevill already got what he wanted,” Jayveh said. “Esperancedidfail.”
“He didn’t geteverythinghe wanted,” Carver said, his voice low and hard. “Creating chaos at the temple and killing enough of the Chosen to ruin the emperor’s plan was only the first step. If he truly wanted the Craethen Council disbanded, what would have stopped him from continuing to strike against us?” His dark brows slashed down, and he cursed. “Maybe he’s the one who hired the mercenaries who attacked us on the road.”
Jayveh tensed. “If he does have a partner here in the capital—or multiple partners—they’ll probably be after the same thing. Which means none of us are safe.”
A chill ghosted down Amryn’s spine.
“This is all speculation,” Carver said. “It’s possible someone else was targeting you specifically.”
“Will you question Trevill?” Jayveh asked.
His eyes darted to Amryn, and she knew he was remembering the promise he’d made her. That tomorrow would be their last day in Zagrev. But she knew he couldn’t deny Jayveh this. And Amryn didn’t want him to. The thought of leaving when Jayveh was in danger made her stomach churn. If this assassinhadbeen sent by Trevill, or an ally of his, they needed to know.
“Yes,” Carver said to Jayveh. His expression hardened. “And I’ll speak with the emperor and get a list of anyone he told about our arrival.”
It was nearing the middle of the night by the time they made their way back to their room. They’d both wanted to make sure Jayveh was settled—with several additional bodyguards—and then Carver had sent men to check on the other Chosen, just in case they had been targeted, too. Every guard had reported back that all was well.
