“That is an interesting visual.”
“It’s from a movie.”
“May have to watch it some time.”
She chuckled. “You’ll either love it or find it ridiculous.”
“I am already intrigued.”
She laid her hand on his leg. He wondered if her touch was from comfort or the desire for something else. Her hand was close to his rod. If she slid it up, just a little...
“What did you do before you were in construction?” she asked.
He waited a beat to answer, for he was unsure about her response. Some would be impressed. Others were terrified.
Most females were terrified.
But he knew if he did not tell her who he was, then she would be vulnerable when his past caught up to him. “I was the King’s Assassin in Vorjan House.”
Surprisingly, she didn’t pull away from him. “You were an assassin?”
“Among other things. I was commanded by my king to carry out tasks. Sometimes, yes, they were assassinations.”
“What made you leave?”
“Not following orders from my king. An infraction punishable by death.”
She shifted in his arm so she could look at him. “So you left because you didn’t follow orders? Must have been a pretty serious to make you question it.”
“It was. I refused to assassinate an heir to another house.”
“Huh. And now you do construction? I feel like there’s more to this story than you’re telling me.”
He nodded. “I should explain. There are multiple Houses in our society. Each one has a monarchy ruling, and territories that each House rules over. There is a head House, with representatives who speak for the kings of each House, to mediate between the different Houses.”
“I’m following. And you worked for one of these Houses?”
“Yes. Vorjan House.”
“So why were you asked to kill an heir of another house?”
Karuk shook his head. “I do not know. I was given the assignment, and no explanation why. I could not complete it.”
“What stopped you?” she asked.
“It was a female child.”
“Wow,” she said, shaking her head. “Who would order a hit on a child?”
“I still do not know. When it was learned that I refused to complete the assignment, I was hunted down. So I left.”
“Are they looking for you?”
“Most likely.” He ran his hand up and down her arm. “When they find me, it will not bode well. Punishment is death.”
“Well, that’s, uh, horrible.” She shifted. “No chance for a trial or anything?”
“Not unless evidence presents itself.”
