Seconds tick by while we sit there regarding each other. I think the princess is holding her breath. His dagger is a nice piece of weaponry, and it’s so black that the firelight doesn’t even gleam off the edge. His thumb brushes along the hilt, over and over.
But there’s a point where the tension shifts, and it’s clear he’s not going to act. It takes a moment for him to look away, and when he does, his eyes flick to the door, to the floor, anywhere but me. He thrusts the dagger back into the hilt. The panther slinking back into the brush to wait for easier prey.
“It would upset Jory,” he says.
Ah. Yes. Of course.
I don’t call him out—or dwell on it. Instead, I turn the conversation back to the matter at hand. “You’ve shown me your proof,” I say to them both. “While I do not believe it, I trust that you meant to protect me, Princess. I trust that you meant to protect this alliance.”
She holds my eyes boldly. “Yes,” she says. “I did.” There’s so much conviction in her voice that I’m reminded of why our first meeting offered so much hope.
“I trust that you believe in your friend, too.”
At that, her lips part, and she nods. “I do.” She glances at Asher, who’s still scowling, then looks back to me. “I believe that he saved us both. I told him I wouldn’t leave without you. I know this alliance is important to you. It’s important to me, too. Please, youmustbelieve that.”
The sad thing is that Idobelieve it—or at least, I believeher.
“If this alliance carries such weight for you,” I say, “then you must release me, Princess.”
She stares back at me, and I watch her deliberate.
“If we are to be allies,” I continue, “if we are to bewed, then allow this to be our first test of loyalty to each other. You protected me. If we are in danger, allow me to do the same. I can protectyou.”
She shifts her weight, turning to look at Asher.
But he doesn’t look back. Instead, he finally looks atme, and his eyes are like blue fire. “I can protect her, too. I know what you’re doing.”
“I am speaking truths,” I say.
“Bullshit.” He glares at me, then turns to her. “I bested him, Jory. I bested his soldier. He needsyoufor this alliance, but he doesn’t need me. If you cut him loose, make no mistake: I’ll be dead on the floor a minute later—or I’ll be wishing I was. Then he’ll drag you back to Dane so you can be wed and he gets his alliance.”
Jory’s breathing has quickened, but Asher’s not fidgeting now. His eyes haven’t left mine. “Admit it.”
“No.”
That’s too easy, and Asher isn’t fooled. His eyes narrow, and he rolls up onto his knees to move closer to me. “Thendenyit. Tell her I’d be safe. Tell her you’d let me go.”
Firelight paints the walls with shadows, but breath still fogs faintly between us. Asher is close enough that I can count the lines on his cheek. Seven stripes, in shades of blue and violet. I really do wonder what they mean.
When I don’t answer, he shifts closer, until our knees nearly touch. Through the fall of blond hair, his blue eyes are vibrant. Challenging. For a moment, I think I’ve grossly miscalculated—that he reallymightcarve my eyes out, just to prove he’s vicious enough. In any other circumstance, I’d find him intriguing. I can see why the princess seems so devoted. Despite the chaos of this venture, there’s something a bit compelling about him.
“Deny it,” he says again.
I wonder if he’d be this brave if I were unbound. There’s a part of me that wants to find out.
But I think of how brutally he attacked. I think of what he did to Nikko, who might be alive—or might be dead. I think of how desperate my people are for an alliance.
I think about how this kidnapping must look to everyone else in the palace. Their princess disappeared—after being alone with me, the man they all fear.
Deny it.
I look right back into those vivid blue eyes. “No.”
Jory gasps, but Asher sits back, satisfied. “Exactly. Keep him bound, Jor. He’s lucky we got him this far.” His eyes glitter in the light from the stove. “At nightfall, we’ll take to the road, and we’ll leave him behind.”
Chapter Twelve
The Assassin
