Unless she was drunk or temporarily out of her mind.
“If I know Dash,” Meara sneered, “and I do, he already has one of his Outlaws searching for the demon to execute it. Probably all of them. Get to the demon first and preserve its life. Bring it here so that we can guard it. Once it’s in my kingdom, it would be an act of war for them to kill it. So get it here as fast as you can.”
“Yes, my queen.” Gisela inclined her head and took a step back.
As she started to leave, Meara grabbed her arm. “Do not fail me.” Her ominous tone was impressive.
“I never fail.” Not a boast, just a mere statement of fact.
Meara released her. “And Gisela?”
“Yes?”
“If you find any of his Outlaws on your journey, kill them too. And if you succeed in doing this for me, I’ll give you what you want most.”
Her heart skipped at those words.
It’s a trick…
It had to be. Meara never gave anyone what they wanted.
So she made sure to clarify the terms. “And that is, my queen?”
“Your freedom. On my honor. You keep the beast alive and return here with it and I’ll make sure you never again have to serve me. I’ll free you from my service.”
She couldn’t move for a full minute as those words fully sank in. Meara had never used this carrot before.
And she was right, it was the one thing Gisela wanted most. To never have to kill again…
Never have to be Meara’s sword or even speak to the bitch.
It was the one thing she’d sell her soul for.
Freedom…there was nothing she wouldn’t do for it. But she knew better than to get excited.
More than that, she knew better than to let Meara know her thoughts or her feelings. So, she kept her expression guarded and made sure Meara didn’t know how much Gisela’s heart was racing at the prospect.
Clearing her throat, she inclined her head. “Yes, Majesty.” Without another word, she headed back toward her room to get her sword and small travel pack that was always kept at the ready.
Though to be honest, it’d been a while since she’d been sent on a mission. Meara normally kept her close at hand.
Not that Meara trusted her.
The queen trusted no one. Which was exactly why she kept Gisela at her side and had trained her so viciously. As the queen’s personal assassin, Gisela’s assignments had always been to take out whatever or whoever annoyed Meara. No matter how petty the insult. Or unintentional.
It wasn’t something Gisela relished or wanted, but it was the only trade she’d ever been trained for. And one she was dreadfully good at.
Gisela grabbed her traveling cloak, grateful that she would be able to save a life this time and not take it. It felt good to have a noble cause for once.
And to finally be free?
She clenched her fists as a giddy rush went through her, and she suppressed her excitement again.
Of course, there was one serious problem. How could she find a specificaþaswere? There were thousands of them. Literally, thousands. Tens of thousands.
It was a daunting task she was set on.
Succeed or die. That was Meara’s rule. Her queen knew nothing of mercy.
