I bucked, hating that I could barely move with him pinning my lower body to the ground with his own, my hands still wrenched above my head. “Get off of me!”
His face twisting, he continued searching me for more weapons, but he paused again with his right hand pressing against my ribcage, his palm burning through my undergarment like a brand.
Time stopped. The world narrowed to his hand, the heat of his skin, and the way his breathing went shallow and uneven. His golden eyes darkened, the pupils dilating as he stared down at me.
He felt it too.
The realization hit me like lightning. Whatever this was between us, whatever this pull was that made my skin sing from his touch, it wasn’t one-sided. For an instant, we weren’t enemies. We weren’t princess and rebel. We were just a man and a woman caught in something neither of us understood.
Then his jaw clenched, and the moment shattered.
“You’re thorough,” I spit out, struggling to shove aside the pain in my back and drum up some bravado. I sensed this man would respect nothing less.
His eyes snapped up to mine. “I’m not done yet.”
The promise in his words made my knees tremble. “There’s nothing else. I promise.”
“I don’t trust you.” His hand skimmed my chest, making megasp. “Smart women are always hiding something. Where are the rest of your weapons?”
“What makes you think I’m smart?” I whispered.
His smile cut like a blade. “You’re smart enough to lie to my face without flinching. Smart enough to bring weapons when everyone else comes empty-handed.” His thumb traced along the pulse point at my throat. “Smart enough to make me want to keep you close so I can figure out what game you’re playing.”
Heat crawled up my neck, and I wiggled, trying to knock him off my thighs.
“What’s this?” His hand paused below my right breast.
His fingers tightened on my wrists enough to remind me he was in full control. Also enough to humiliate me.
My body betrayed me with a sharp intake of breath, which made me want to claw the skin from my bones.
Addie would’ve laughed at this. My fierce little sister would’ve found some cutting remark to slice him down to size, would’ve made him regret ever touching her. But Addie was dead, her dark curls matted with blood.
And I was here to make someone pay for the crime.
“Do you seriously believe anyone here is untouchable?” he murmured.
I drove my knee up. Missed. My breath came back in a ragged gasp. “Release me.”
Wrenching up my tunic, he exposed my undergarment-covered chest. And while I writhed, he yanked away the blade I’d secured there, tearing the fabric. Another gesture sent my final weapon flying impossibly far across the water, lost to the dark depths.
A low whistle rose from the crowd. His eyes flicked down, and irritation flashed across his face.
“Fuck,” he growled, yanking my tunic back down to my waist, but not before I caught the way his hands gentled. “Where else are you hiding puny pokers?” His hand encircled my neck, tightening.
“Nowhere. Nowhere!” I strangled out.
“Better not be.” He released me, rising and stepping back while I gasped and sputtered and scrambled to my feet. I straightened my clothing, taking care not to show how much even this simple movement made my back ache.
“I tripped,” I said again. “I didn’t mean to stab you.”
Though I saw no wound. No blood. No indication I’d hurt him at all. I could swear I’d felt the sickening lurch as the razor-sharp tip sank into his flesh.
As his gaze swept over my ill-fitting clothes, his sneer grew. “Next time, dress yourself better before attempting to play assassin.”
Those lingering around us laughed.
The air changed.
