“We have been over this. I want my family to be able to see you as I do, and they won’t if I introduce you to them as a…”
“A writer?” Lief asks, arching his brow.
“I think it’s a noble occupation,” I hurriedly add,
Lief shrugs slightly. “Or at least it will be once I finish my Skyhold jetting book.”
“It will be a great book when it’s done.”
“I certainly hope so,” he says, his eyes turning bright just like they do whenever he mentions his bookish passions. “I’ve dedicated half my life to writing it.”
I push to my tiptoes so that my head is a bit closer to his, but there’s still a gap between us, so I grasp the front of his shirt. “We are going to get that spellbook and stop any bloodthirsty sorcerers that try to stop us. We are going to do it together. And then I can finally bring you home to meet my family and we no longer have to keep our love a secret. I promise, Lief. Tonight is the last night we act like strangers.”
Lief closes the distance between us, pressing his lips against mine. They move tenderly against me as his large hands encircle my waist and pull me closer. For just a moment, I don’t care about spellbooks and assassins or even my family expectations.
I just want Lief here with me every day, holding me like this.
He pulls back, pressing his forehead against mine. “For luck,” he breathes. “Now let’s regroup and figure out how we are going to get that spellbook, because now we have a different mark. The innkeeper’s son.”
“Look at you talking like a thief, you’ll make a fine addition to my family yet.”
Chapter Eleven
Talyria
Ireach down, smoothing out the wrinkles of my dress. It’s a deep violet in color with silver embroidery. My hair, which I normally wear down around my ears, is pulled back with a braid across the crown of my head.
I spend a lot of time in the shadows, but for once I will have eyes on me and I intend to look my best. After all, it isn’t every day that a Thief Queen gets honored by the governor of her stone hall.
For tonight, I’m an honored guest, welcomed to a feast in the governor’s magnificent home of carven stone with her family and the other members of nobility from our hall.
None of them know that I’m a criminal, that I run a ring of thieves, that I’ve been known to assassinate if the money is good.
I’ve been hired by some of them but all through dead drops or my masked emissary who acts as the official face of my organization.
I smile to myself. It’s ironic really, I am to be commended for driving out a corrupt commander of the guard. The man got in my way one too many times, so I put an end to his career. I had the least pure motives imaginable and yet these people would honor me when I’m surely much worse.
I pause as I spot a familiar face. It’s Petrov, the second in command who I turned the captain of the guard over to. He had not been without his suspicions but did not have evidence on his commanding officer until I conveniently stole them from the man’s chambers. Right under his nose while he was in the other room.
Petrov smiles as I come closer. He’s a nice-looking man, if you’re into the straight cut noble sorts. His face is cleanshaven, and his brown hair is kept pulled back in a neat ponytail. Despite having been born Lowlander, and the tension growing between our two peoples, he has dedicated his life to making certain that these halls are safe.
There are many Higher Elves who do not appreciate the Lowlanders having garrisons of guards within our halls, but I don’t mind. After all, men who aren’t fighting for their homes and families are easily bought. Lowlander and Higher Elf alike are corruptible. I don’t care who I’m dealing with. Good business is just good business whether or not you are born in the valley or come out looking like the stone walls of the mountains.
I know it’s trouble to flirt with such a man, but I can’t help it. I slide toward him. “You should be better dressed, Captain, after all this feast is to honor you as well.”
He drops in a short bow, glancing up at me over his brows. “I could dress however I want. No eyes will be on me with you in the room. Also, it’s Commander now.” I notice the extra shining buttons holding up his white lapel and feel my eyebrows raise.
So, he got the old commander’s spot? I can make use of this. It would be useful to have the commander of the guard in my back pocket. And if it means that I don’t have to say farewell to this charming captain— I mean commander– just yet then so much the better.
I find myself smiling as I meet his eyes. “Well, then, Commander, are you ready to celebrate our victory?”
He straightens, extending his arm to me. “After you, my lady.”
I give him a flirty wink. “How about beside you, my lord? After all, we brought down this man together.”
“Indeed,” he says after a moment. He hesitates for a second but then throws a smile my way. “I look forward to seeing what else we can accomplish together, Talyria.”
“Victor!” I cry as horror pulses through me, deadening my limbs. Am I a widow again?Already?
