Thejobwasn’t delayed, just my return, but excuses don’t matter here. I was lucky to get any pay at all. I shrug. “I ran into difficulties up north.”
“Tanja said you lost your room over the mill, too.”
Tanja is the night keeper. I didn’t tell her that I lost my lodging, but I’m sure the miller came looking for his coins when I stopped paying rent. I shrug again. “That happens when you disappear for three months. I’ll find another place.”
And I will—eventually. Though losing most of the pay on that job hurt dearly. So does losing most of my belongings. But I’ve started with nothing before. I can do it again.
I’ve just never done it in the middle of winter. When the order to douse every flame came ringing through the streets last night, I genuinely thought I might freeze to death somewhere.
But then Jory offered her bed.
I keep thinking of the way she fell asleep pressed against me, the way she clutched my hand to her chest. How small her voice sounded when she said,What if he hurts me?Or the way she trusted me to take care of it if he did.
I’m probably the last person anyone should trust. But she’s so innocent. So sheltered. I’ve heard the wonder in her voice when she asks for stories about the far corners of Astranza. She was ready to beg me for escape—without havingany cluehow difficult her life would be outside the palace. Without having any clue how difficultmylife is.
Though some of that is my fault. She’s only ever known the Asher who was her companion as a child—and the Asher who dares to visit her at night.
I’ve never had any desire to share anything in between. Not then, and not now.
I have no desire to think of it myself, honestly.
There was something so comforting about the feel of her heartbeat against my chest, the softness of her body yielding against mine. I’dforgotten that touch couldbelike that, simple and gentle and without expectation. I’ve spent so many years at the mercy of others that I never let anyone touch me anymore—and I certainly don’t fall asleep. But her chambers are always full of memories, and I long to return to what my life was once like. To be seen as someone other than...than what I am. Her warmth pulled the tension out of my body until I drifted off for a few hours, the sound of her breathing in my ears. When I woke in the dark, it took everything I had to let her go.
But I had to. That kiss was almost my undoing. I left her the uniform, then hid in the shadows, waiting for daybreak. I spent hours clinging to the darkness, torn between wanting her with me and knowing it was a mistake.
When she emerged from her room in the maid’s uniform, my heart leapt, and I expected her to head for the stables.
Instead, I clung to the rafters and followed her to the throne room. I watched her meet the king and his captain.
I watched her choose her fate, and in doing so, she sealed mine.
I need to stop thinking of Jory. It’s over.
But my heart gives a wrench. I truly have nothing.
Rachel is still studying me. “What happened in Morinstead, Ash?”
Hammish is still behind the bar, fidgeting with something I can’t see, but his head is canted in this direction. He’s listening to hear what I say, hoping for gossip.
They don’t mean any harm, but as with Jory, I won’t tell either of them the truth. “It’s not important.”
“You have somewhere to sleep?” she says.
My eyes flick up. Any of the other Hunters would smirk and say, “Is that an offer?” They always cajole and flirt in an attempt to charm the keepers into higher percentages, but I don’t like to play those games—which is probably why her question sounds like there’s genuine concern behind it.
“I’ll be all right,” I say.
She lifts two folds of leather from the desk. “I have two new assignments. They were delivered at dawn, directly from Pavok.”
Pavok is the Guildmaster. My eyes go from her to the leather. Eachfold is stitched closed, all the way around.Sealed.That means the Guildmaster is the only one who knows the targets—and who paid.
Often that means someone of importance. Possibly someone in the palace.
My heart thumps. Jobs like these are rare. My share from two sealed assignments would have me in new living quarters before the end of the week.
But jobs like this are only ever offered to the most skilled Hunters. The most loyal. I’m very good, but I haven’t been part of the Guild long enough to earn assignments like that.
I look back at Rachel and frown. “It’s not like you to break the rules.”
