She averted her gaze, but Sam saw the tension melt from her shoulders. “Thank you.”
He didn’t like that she wouldn’t look at him. “You already said that.”
She huffed, making him smile. Her demeanor was sweet, but she had a little fire in her as well. He liked this woman who saved a cat but stood up for herself against a seedy guard, and who feared anAngelbut still made her annoyance clear.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she mumbled, smoothing a hand over her hair. Tonight, it was half up and hanging halfway down her chest.
“My name is Sam.” He held out his hand.
She chewed on the inside of her cheek before tentatively shaking it. “Anastasia.”
His lips twitched. It suited her better than her nickname. “You have access to the king’s office?”
Yanking her hand back, she backed up. “Whatever you’re about to ask, the answer is no.”
“You are afraid of the king,” he observed. “Why?” The Lux rulers were often known for their kind nature, even Gedeon. He was a talented actor.
Anastasia fidgeted, and Sam involuntarily took a step toward her. “I’ll lose my job. Staff members are fired for evenmentioningthe new guards or questioning anything the king does,” she replied. “Especially theAatxeguards.”
“Why would they fireAatxeguards?” Sam asked, switching to commander mode. It was rare for anAatxeto be fired. They’re honest and good at their jobs.
Anastasia pursed her lips. “I just told you. Gossiping, asking questions, looking at a new guard wrong; take your pick. Imagine what would happen if someone was caught snooping around the king’s office. Not even to help anAngel.”
“I would let nothing happen to you,” he promised her, meaning every word.
She puffed out a disbelieving laugh. “Is that so? Tell me, haveyou seen me since you were here last?” Before he could answer, she continued. “Because I haven’t seen you, and unless you are trailing me every second of every day, your word means nothing.”
His wings ruffled with his anger. She was right, and if Gedeon hurt her, he would kill everyone in the realms without question. “If there comes a day that I need your help to get into Gedeon’s office, I will take you with me when I leave and never let you out of my sight again.”
She stood still enough to be mistaken for a statue before she burst out laughing. “What the fuck?” Her laughter made him want to bend her over his knee and spank her.
“This is not a laughing matter, Anastasia.” The laughter stopped abruptly. “We do not know what will happen in the long run if the Lux King goes unchecked, but as of now, a friend’s life is in danger, and by proxy, the Umbra King’s life, as well.”
He knew if Rory died, Caius would soon follow. The king’s grief would pull him into an early grave.
“The king who killed his sister?” she squeaked. “There are Umbra King worshipers who think he’s coming back any day to take over Erdikoa. They say a battle will destroy half of the realm.”
He rubbed a hand down his face. “Now is not the time to discuss conspiracy theorists. Lives are inrealdanger.”
“You’re serious,” she breathed. “What thefuck?”
His eyes narrowed. “You already said that.”
“Stop telling me what I’ve already said,” she snapped. He rubbed his mouth to hide his smile but wasn’t fast enough. “This is not a laughing matter,Sam.”
“I know it is a lot to ask, and I will not ask it of you today, but there might come a time when I need you. I will not let you do anything dangerous alone.”
He saw the moment he won her over, but it didn’t make him happy. The defeated look on her face made him hate himself. “Okay.” Her brown eyes found his. “You promise you won’t get me killed?”
“With everything I am.” He moved closer and kneeled beforeher. Her lips parted slightly. “I, Samyaza, commander of the Vincula legion and heir to the Aravoth throne, promise to protect you in this life and the next. If I fail, I will find you in the aether.”
“Samyaza?” The color drained from her face.
He stood and placed a large hand on her shoulder. “Do not faint again.”
She shook his hand off her shoulder and rubbed her forehead. “I can’t believe I’m trusting someone who is heir to a made-up kingdom, but okay.” Without looking at him, she grabbed her cart and wheeled it toward the door. “If I die, I’ll kill you.”
He’d never smiled so big in his entire life.
