As impossible as it sounded, I couldn’t deny what I’d seen. Irsha, my Irsha, the shirtless idiot with dishevelled hair and sleepy eyes, who’d aimed a dagger at my head, was in Lily’s bedroom. I couldn’t have been happier … or more worried.
‘Sana! Come back, right now!’ he yelled, and I heard muttered curses from the other side of the door.
‘To see your wrinkled ball sac? Fuck no! Get dressed, this instant.’ I scoffed, holding the door shut while laughter bubbled in my chest.
‘It’s not like you haven’t seen it all before, Trouble,’ he said, his amused voice distorted by the heavy oak door.
‘Except that you were young and pretty back then. I don’t want to taint that memory.’ I was lying through my teeth because Iwasn’t blind. Irsha had a body chiselled to perfection by years of fighting.
‘Your king is older, but I don’t see you complaining,’ he said, his steps inching closer.
‘That’s because Reynard is perfection,’ I answered. ‘Are you decent?’
‘Yes, my little prude.’ The roaring laughter that followed made me roll my eyes before Irsha opened the door, fully dressed in black trousers and a matching, heavily embroidered shirt. It hugged him like a second skin, the high collar digging into his neck. ‘So, why are you storming into Lily’s room?’
‘Storming in? I came to see my friend. I just wish I’d found the friend I expected. Care to tell me what you’re doing here? Alone and naked?’ I sat on the bed, watching Irsha pour us drinks with the familiarity of long practice.
‘I wasn’t supposed to be alone. Lily wanted to talk, but she received a message and told me to wait in her room…’ Irsha’s gaze drifted to the window, where a heavy curtain blocked the sunlight. ‘I fell asleep, waiting. What time is it?’
‘Fell asleep? Without your clothes? And it’s midday, you shameless libertine,’ I said. Irsha sat next to me, holding out a goblet of wine. ‘Come on, Blade. You know you can tell me. I’m not jealous.’
‘It’s not like that. I was just tired.’ He tugged at the stiff collar of his shirt. ‘She insisted I wear something nice, but this over-styled… It’s uncomfortable, and I don’t carry spare clothes on a job.’
‘Irsha, that is the worst excuse I’ve ever heard, but have it your way.’ I took a sip of the wine, chuckling into my goblet when a faint blush spread over his cheeks. Irsha, bless his heart, was peculiar around women he liked. Behind this confident façade was a man who questioned every smile, every gesture, knowing they could be a lie.
He told me once about his mother. She was a courtesan who smiled for her clients and cried in front of her son. ‘I never want to be the reason for a woman’s tears,’ he’d told me when we were both fumbling apprentices. My Irsha lived by this creed.
‘No matter, Blade. I needed to see you anyway. We have to talk about the Brotherhood. There are matters needing your attention. Not here, though.’ I bit my lip because sitting in Lily’s bedroom without her felt like an intrusion, even though I knew she wouldn’t mind.
All the humour bled from Irsha’s features. He stood up, extending his hand. ‘Let’s go to the kitchen. It’ll be empty at this time of day.’ The change was impressive. The moment I mentioned the Brotherhood, the playful rogue was replaced by Irsha the assassin.
‘Boyan’s worsened?’ he asked, sitting down at the wooden table.
‘Yes, and Visla returned with nothing, but there’s some good news.’ I paused, letting the words sink in. ‘Boyan named his successor.’
Irsha sucked in a breath. ‘You?’ he asked with pride shining in his eyes, frowning only when I shook my head. ‘Please tell me it’s not Tymon.’
I leaned forward and placed my hand on his cheek. Irsha tilted his head, a forced smile spreading on his lips as he waited for my answer.Does he realise he’s grinding his teeth?
‘No one ever could be as good as you.’ I smirked, pulling back and placing my hand on my chest before bowing respectfully. ‘Congratulations, Disciple Wilkor. You are the next Grand Master, and I, your loyal shadow mage.’
‘But he told me he– You… I don’t understand.’
The heir apparent stood up and walked to the window overlooking the busy street, opening it wide and taking in deep,shuddering breaths. His fists clenched when he turned to me. ‘Roksana, I’ll follow you. Don’t give this up because of me.’
I swallowed hard, fighting back the emotions overwhelming me. My foolish Blade, ready to give up what he’d always wanted for me. Only, I’d never wanted it, and it was so satisfying that he’d hear it from me.
‘I was never in the picture, Irsha. Boyan wasn’t offering it to me because of my merits but because of his guilt. The title was always yours.’ I walked closer, placing a hand on his shoulder, feeling the slight tremor running through his body.
‘So, he chose me.’ With this simple statement, Irsha seemed to grow, his shoulders squared, and his features glowed with pride. ‘I can improve it, Sana – the Brotherhood, our position in Truso. I will continue what Boyan started before the graveyard cough robbed him of his strength.’
‘Yes, you’ll make us both proud,’ I said softly, never happier that I’d rejected Boyan’s proposal.
‘And you’ll stand beside me?’ He clasped my hands in his. There, in a brothel kitchen, we formed a pact that transcended our already strong bond.
‘Always. Someone needs to guard that flabby arse of yours,’ I said, and he roared with laughter, pulling me into a tight embrace.
‘I love you, Trouble. In this fucked-up world, you always have my back,’ he whispered in my ear. I gasped, but Irsha didn’t let me go. ‘Thank you, Sana. I know it wasn’t Boyan’s decision. It was yours, and I won’t fail your trust.’ When he released me, I stood stunned, while a calculating look replaced the warmth in his eyes. ‘When’s he going to announce it?’
