“I’ve seen it.” I shudder at the memory of those shadows squeezing me.
“That changes things. It’s going to make him harder to kill.”
“I can do it.”
“That’s not why you’re here.”
“It has to be me. I’m the only one who can get close enough.”
Lee takes a step toward me. “How close, Taylan? Are you already in his bed?”
“That’s none of your business,” I snap.
“It is if I think you might be compromised,” he says.
“Are you kidding me right now? You think I would support them?” I move closer to him, my voice getting louder with each word. “After everything they’ve done to my family? After everything they’ve done to our city? Our people?”
He grabs my wrist, then presses against my stomach, covering most of my scar with his large hand. “Remember where you came from and the price you’ve already paid.”
I set my hand on top of his. How could I ever forget the night I got that scar?
He releases my wrist then reaches for my face. “I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.” He leans down. “I can’t lose you.”
“I’m not yours anymore, Lee.”
“But you could be.” He tilts my chin up and closes his eyes.
I turn so his lips touch my cheek instead of my mouth before backing away. “I can’t.”
He sighs as he runs a hand through his hair. “Alright. I get it. You’re not ready.”
“I’m never going to be ready. You made your choice, and I made mine.”
“Right. Old habits die hard, I guess.” He turns and starts toward the secret door.
“Lee? Where does that tunnel lead?” I ask.
“The City of the Dead,” he says.
A chill runs down my spine. The City of the Dead is a series of crumbling tunnels and chambers filled with the bodies of thedeceased. Catacombs from the time before the king. I spent a lot of time down there the first few years we lived in the city. It is one of the only places you can hide from the Night Legion. For some reason, their magic doesn’t work there.
“Oh, Lee?”
“Yeah?”
“We really do need to make all this happen before Darkfall. I don’t know how much longer I can fool them.” At least, not without compromising myself. The way Caiden spoke to me tonight, the way he touched me…
“Alright. Before Darkfall. Find out where the emperor sleeps. Then, hang your ruby, and I’ll come back to relay the final details.” He presses his palm to the wall and pushes. The secret panel slides to the side behind the rest of the wall, revealing a dark tunnel.
There’s a knock at my door, and my eyes widen. “Hurry. Go.” Without looking back, I rush to my bedroom, then open the main door. Caiden is waiting outside. Two legionnaires stand on each side of him. He’s holding a black rose in his hand.
“Your Highness,” I say, giving a little nod. “It’s rather late.”
“I know. But I realized I never greeted you properly when you arrived.” He hands me the flower.
It’s an odd gesture, but I take the flower.
“Walk with me?”
