He takes my cheek in his palm and kisses me sweetly. It’s a real kiss, one that makes my heart flutter in my chest and my stomach coil with excitement. I place a hand on his chest, and his fingers wrap around my wrist. Casimir’s fingertips trace the mark on my arm, sending a chill down my spine from the sensation.
He cups my chin between his forefinger and thumb, gently tilting my head to meet his gaze. “Remember this feeling, Raelys. Hold this desire you feel for me into the very core of your body.” He trails a slow thumb over my swollen bottom lip. “Because the next time you let another man touch you… you’ll realize that no one else can make you feel this way butme.”
And then he leaves.
I lean against the wall for support, my knees still weak. Lust and need tingle in every nerve, begging for more of his touch.He’s still the warlord.I remind myself, and I’m magically tied to him in this game of curses and crowns. He is my greatest desire, and yet, he is my greatest downfall.
Kaia comes back around the corner. “What did I say?” she says proudly. “So agonizing that theymusthave you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
“Hey, Zev.”I smile, leaning against his table at the Whispering Willow.
“Rae,” he greets me calmly. His features are darkly shrouded as they were previously, his brown eyes piercing through to study me closely. Zev’s posture is relaxed as he lounges in his chair, but he is unmistakably alert.
“Business going well?” I ask cheerfully. Zev only stares at me, the air taut with tension as silence stretches between us. “You wouldn’t happen to know where I could get something to put in someone’s drink to send them into a psychosis but not fullykillthem… would you?” I lower my voice so only he may hear.
“I do.”
“Perfect.” I smile at him.
“You know I only accept payment in secrets.”
“Well, I have a secret for you…” I whisper. “Duke Nikolas Sterling of Thalvar is extorting money from the King and plans to kill the troops once they arrive in his kingdom.”
“Do you have proof?” Zev's raspy voice is barely audible over the noise of the tavern.
I slip the letter from my sleeve and slide it across the table for him to read. Zev’s eyes scan the parchment with a scrutinizing gaze as he deciphers the contents. He folds the letter and tucks it into his coat pocket.
“Here.” He slips something into my palm. “Scorpion’s Haze.”
“Many thanks.” I smile at him, walking away from the table as I return to work.
Tucking my hand into my satchel, I put the vial away without looking at it. I clean off some tables and bring empty mugs to the bar. Alastor is preoccupied, dragging a man out of the tavern by the back of his tunic and throwing him out the door for not paying his tab.
Hans and Lucio sit at a nearby table, the young soldiers dressed casually as they indulge in lively chatter. Walking over, I smile at the men. “Anything to drink?” I ask warmly.
“Hello, Rae.” Hans smiles at me, sliding some coins across the table. “Two ales and beef pottage.”
“Sure thing.” I nod, then pick up the coins and walk over to the bar. “Two ales and beef pottage,” I repeat the order to Alastor.
“We don’t have any pottage tonight. There appears to be a lost food shipment,” he replies, pouring two ales for me.
That means Lord Cerian heeded my threat, disappearing along with the harvest.
“I see…” I wait for him to pass me the drinks. I did it. Truly did it. Now I can leave the North, flee this place once and for all. I canfinallybe free. All my hard work will soon pay off.
Picking up the tankards, I carry them over to Hans, along with his change. “Sorry, no food tonight.” I hand them their drinks. “I believe there’s a shortage.”
“I heard about that.” Hans bristles. “Can you believe that?While highborns party in the castle, we’re here, cold and hungry!”
I nod in agreement. “It’s egregious! The audacity to continue festivities while people go hungry.”
My plan is working.
“You wouldn’t happen to know who Thalvar is allied with… would you?” I pivot the conversation to get some information from Hans.
The warlord—Casimir—always says to weaken the pillars that hold your enemies upright. When you chip away at the foundation, the thrones crumble to dust beneath them.
