I’ve never wanted to punch someone so much in my life. My entire body trembles as I resist. I know what his intentions truly are. He has been working alongside Henri since the beginning. He’s been hurting her, mocking me, and having a good laugh about it.
“He doesn’t want youdistractedchasing after the girl anymore,” he says. “But don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”
I lunge forward, but Lysander’s quick hand snatches my elbow and jerks me back. A growl vibrates in my throat.
“He’s not worth it.” Lysander’s voice is calm, but his grip is firm on my arm. “Leave it be.”
Keagan raises his long, pointed nose in satisfaction. “I’ll make sure to treat her well. She won’t be running away from me. If anything, she’ll be coming back for more.”
I lurch toward him again, my fist pulled back, but Lysander holds me back.
Cornelius chuckles behind Keagan, his shaggy hair dancing in front of his eyes.
“Come on. We don’t have time to waste on these two,” Lysander urges, and tugs me away from them.
“Time?” Keagan switches his attention to Lysander now. “I was under the impression that you had plenty of time, now that you’re no longer head of the guard.” He pats the hilt of his sword. “Honestly, the title was never meant for a Frenchman. They are too busy powderingtheir faces and sewing their stockings to learn how to wield a weapon.”
“You better hold your tongue,” Lysander says, but somehow without any emotion to his threatening words. I have no idea how my friend is able to control himself so well.
“And why is that?” he snaps back.
Lysander shrugs. “My skill is what gained me the guard position. You gained it by my mistake, that’s all.”
Baring his fangs, Keagan draws his sword faster than I can blink. He holds it out with both hands around the hilt.
Still, Lysander’s unfazed. His heavy-lidded eyes study him up and down, but he looks unthreatened and almost bored.
“Be careful with that now. You don’t want to hurt yourself.”
“Oh, shut your mouth, Lysander.”
I’ve had enough of this. “Put the sword away,” I demand.
Keagan doesn’t move. “I’m the head of the guard now,” he says through clenched teeth.
“And Avrum is Henri’s second-in-command.” Lysander turns toward Cornelius. “That means he has authority over you and your moronic friend there.”
That’s right. Being Henri’s second means the only person above me is the lord.
Keagan has to listen tome.
I grin.
The same realization seems to pass over Keagan’s face, and he grimaces as he sheaths his sword again. Snarling,he gestures for Cornelius to follow him. They disappear inside one of the bedrooms and slam the door shut, the thunderous sound echoing throughout the hall.
I glance over at Lysander. “One of these days I’ll make him eat his words.”
He nods. “But that day cannot be today. We don’t want to draw any attention to ourselves and cause suspicion. It could hurt our chances of training you.”
The sound of quick footsteps approaching causes us to pause. Spinning around, I catch a figure hurrying past the hall, draped in a dark cloak.
“What in the world?”
Lysander and I exchange confused looks.
“You don’t think?” he asks, and there’s a sinking feeling inside me, one that prays it isn’t Haven I just witnessed run past us.
How does she even have the strength to move? When I’d left her, she could barely keep her eyes open.
