“Horace seems to think you’re going to get yourself in trouble, and since he has obligations with the Guard and can’t always keep an eye out, he asked me to check on you tonight.”
I let out an irritated scoff. “I don’t need the two of you trailingme like mother hens. I can do this. Besides, isn’t it dangerous for you to be here? I seem to remember your sister being fairly unhappy with you for sneaking around the other day.”
When he crossed his arms over his chest, his cloak fell back and my traitorous eyes were instantly drawn to the flexed forearms and faint outline of that beautiful tattoo beneath thin, white sleeves. I tilted my head up as I shifted my feet.
“Rissa may not know how I’ve chosen to spend my evening,” he said simply, as if daring me to press him.
My eyebrow lifted. “I’m surprised Horace asked you to disobey her.”
“Yes, well, I think he’s taken his responsibility over you a bit personally.” That admission made my fondness for the guard grow. “He knows this is important and that you need to be protected. As do I. Which is why this”—his stare flicked to the parchment still on the ground at our side—“is a bad idea.”
I crossed my arms, mocking his stance. “Afraid of taking chances, Aris?”
“Ones that could wind up with members of this mission dead, yes,” he growled, letting his arms fall to his side and stepping closer. My eyes traveled up his collar, his neck, his jaw, until I met his gaze. Those black pools glittered back at me like angry jewels. “You need to get back to your chambers, Rose.”
“But it would be so rude of me to decline an invitation from our dear emperor,” I said, giving him a sweet smile. I flushed when he narrowed his eyes at me.
“Is this a game to you?” He was dangerously close now, the slightest inhale making his chest brush against mine.
“That depends. Am I winning?”
His jaw fluttered, our breaths mingling and warming the space between us. This was a challenge, and I refused to be the first to back down.
Several heartbeats passed. His gaze flitted to my lips before returning to my eyes.
Ismiled.
“Go back to your chambers, Rose,” he repeated as he swallowed. “There’s nothing to gain from meeting him tonight. He’s either going to torture you for information, trick you into betraying us, or kill you?—”
“Well, none of those sound good, do they?”
“—and we can’t afford another mistake.”
I recoiled, my cheekiness fading with my next exhale. He always had to go and say something like that, ruining the tentative peace we seemed to be edging toward. “Not everything I do is amistake, Aris. You obviously read the note; how can you not be curious?” I picked the paper up and thrust it in his face. “I could try and get something helpful out of him. He may slip up, especially if he thinks I’m?—”
He grabbed my outstretched wrist. “It’s not worth the risk. The plan was for you to stay out of sight and away from suspicion until you can find the Grimoire. He’s already caught you once, what do you think?—”
“Of course, Rissa told you about that,” I said, cheeks flaming. Another reason for him to think I was incapable. “No wonder you and Horace want to follow me around like I’m a child.”
“I don’t think you’re a child.” He let go of my wrist as his voice lowered. “I think you’re brave and quick on your feet. But you’re alsoreckless. I think you can do this, but you’re going to get yourself killed if you’re not careful.”
I blinked at him, wetting my lips. I wasn’t expecting that.
“I’m on your side, Rose. When are you going to realize that?”
I sighed. “Look, this opportunity is too good to pass up. If we’re all on the same side, you can’t stand here and tell me your sister wouldn’t want me to take it.”
“I’ll go with you, then. I’ll stay hidden under the invisibility spell and make sure he doesn’t?—”
“That’s aterribleidea, and you know it. Invisibility charms don’t fool him; you’d be caught in an instant. What would happen to you or your sister if he found you? Rissa was adamant that you can’t be seen in the palace.”
“Fine, I won’t go, but my original statement stands. Neither are you.”
I groaned, thankful the guards couldn’t hear our argument. “You’reunbelievable. Why can’t you see this is a good idea?”
“Because this could ruin everything, Rose!” he exploded, his hands coming out to clutch my upper arms. His eyes blazed as his nostrils flared. This wasn’t just anger. There was something more. Some innate fear in him that I couldn’t put my finger on, but that paralyzed me all the same. “You can’t go running straight into the arms of the most powerful, most dangerous man in our empire. He could get into your mind and force you to spill our secrets. He can kill you in a singlebreath.” His grip tightened, automatically pulling me closer. “If he hurts you?—”
I ripped myself from his hold, only for his hands to land on my waist instead. “Then I’m sure you’ll be ready and waiting to take my spot.”
