With that thought came a searing heat straight through my brain. I clenched my teeth. Eventhinkingabout hurting her triggered the magic of our fae bond. Curse this wicked woman.
Gradually, the humans bid farewell to the princess, someclapping her on the shoulder and others embracing her tightly. They seemed quite fond of her—much fonder than mere allies.
At long last, only Denton and a short woman with blonde hair remained. The former kept shooting nasty looks my way. I watched him with mild curiosity.
“I don’t like this, Eira,” Denton whispered.
Eira shoved his shoulder. “Go, Denton. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
“You shouldn’t?—”
“Denton.” Her tone sharpened. “Leave.Please.” Her eyes widened with emphasis, and Denton’s mouth snapped shut, his jaw going rigid.
Oh, yes. These two had definitely been lovers. Whether they still were, I couldn’t tell. Tension rippled between them, but it could be because of my presence.
I could use this information to my advantage. A lover meant leverage. If I got my hands on Denton, it wouldn’t be difficult to coerce Eira into undoing both our bargains.
At long last, Denton stomped off, his burly figure soon vanishing among the snowflakes.
I looked expectantly at the blonde woman, who had a small dagger clutched in her hand. Her eyes were fixed on the Snow Princess.
“You, too, Stella,” Eira said softly.
The woman—Stella—only bared her teeth at me. I lifted my eyebrows, utterly unimpressed. The sight of this puny human wielding a butterknife did not faze me in the slightest.
“If you double-cross my friend, I’ll chop off your balls and force them down your throat,” she said. “Understood?”
I couldn’t help but snort loudly. “Is that so?” I tugged onmy belt, exposing the array of long knives I had at my disposal, all of them longer and sharper than Stella’s.
In a flash, Stella flicked her wrist, and her blade went flying. I dodged, but not quickly enough; the dagger grazed my wrist. Hissing, I cradled my hand, staring at the line of blood trailing down my skin. My flesh burned as if she had branded me with a hot iron.
Nostrils flaring, I shot a venomous look at Stella, who bowed. “I, too, have an arsenal of daggers. They may be small, but they are sharp. And made of iron, of course.” Her lips curved upward in a cold smile.
Eira covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “I’d listen to her if I were you.”
Fury rippled through me, and I contemplated snapping the human’s neck. I had no bargain with her, so it would not inconvenience me in the slightest.
But all Eira would need to do would be to step in between us, and it would be over. If I laid a hand on the Snow Princess, our bargain would punish me for it.
And, though I hated to admit it, Stella was quick and precise. If I hadn’t moved, she would’ve sliced open my artery. For a human, her speed was impressive. I still doubted she could best me in combat, but right now, she had the advantage. I couldn’t risk it.
“We’ll be fine, Stella,” Eira insisted, nodding at her friend.
Stella drew closer, her eyes as cold as steel as they drilled into me. For a petite creature, she had a rather fearsome gaze. Her jawline and nose were all sharp edges, and even her cold blue eyes seemed like chips of jagged ice. Everything about her was icy, unyielding rage.
I was certain she couldn’t overpower me. But I still pitied the man who was on the other side of her blade.
At long last, Stella strode away, her lithe steps making me wonder if perhaps her line of work was similar to mine. She moved like an assassin.
Eira huffed a sigh and turned to face me with that same easy smile on her face. “Shall we set off for the palace then?”
I forced a yawn. “I don’t think so. I’m awfully tired, and I’ve already booked a room here for the night.” A slow grin spread on my face. “I’d like to linger in this town and see some of the sights first.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Good. I certainly hope so. Because if you thought I’d make this journey easy for you, then you’re a bigger fool than I am.”
My victoryover the assassin was short-lived. True to his word, he proved exactly how much of a pain in the ass he could be.
