“What’s going on?” she demanded.
“Another assassin,” he said gravely. “He tried to attack us with a battle axe but then ran. Hawk and Elweg went after him. I stayed behind to make sure he doesn’t double back and try again.”
Reyna gaped. “Another assassin? What did he look like? What was he wearing?”
“He was hooded and cloaked. I didn’t see his face.” Lorcan pointed into her drawing room. “Inside. Now.”
For once, Reyna didn’t argue with the warrior. She backed into her chambers and waited while he bolted the door. Quietly, he stood facing away from her, his sword still held out before him.
“We need to check on my sister. What if he goes after her next?”
“Your sister is fine,” Lorcan said quietly. “She’s with Prince Thane.”
Reyna jolted, and then frowned. “Why in the name of the Dagda is Eislyn with Thane?”
“He’s assisting her with her project.” Lorcan turned slightly to gaze over his shoulder at her. Ferocity rippled off his body in waves. He looked like an angel of death. One that stole her breath away. “They’re in one of the libraries together. Vreis and several others are keeping close guard on them both.”
Reyna audibly sighed, relaxing just slightly. She’d expected another attempt to murder her. That wasn’t what had scared her. It was knowing that her sister’s life might be in danger once again.
Though she hardly trusted Thane, she knew he would not murder Eislyn inside his own castle. In fact, he’d seemed surprisingly concerned about her well-being after the attack. If anything, he would protect her from harm. An odd thought, considering he was Reyna’s sworn enemy.
She supposed the enemy could be a friend for a time. But it would never last.
“You know you don’t need to worry about her. Your sister is under the protection of the crown, just as you are,” he said, turning back to the door. “There are guards stationed around you day and night, keeping a close watch.”
“Yes, I have noticed that,” she said dryly, eyeing Lorcan. “There is one particular guard I can’t seem to get rid of.”
“Trust me. I would rather have any other assignment. Your daily routine is becoming a bore.”
“Go and do something else then,” she snapped.
“Very well.” Lorcan slid his sword into the scabbard on his back. Aclickresounded in the silence. Without another glance in her direction, he began to move toward the door. “I’ll be seeing you around, princess.”
“It was certainly far easier to get rid of you than I thought.”
“You told me to go and do something else.” He twisted on his feet, smiling. “That’s unexpectedly helpful of you, really. There’s another task I need to attend to this evening. A quite important one.”
“Is that so?” She glared up at him, propping her fisted hands on her hips. Her heart trembled in her chest. No doubt due to the excitement of the second attack and nothing else. “And what would that be?”
His smile widened. “I was planning on setting a little trap. It turns out you were right. Whoever wants you dead won’t stop until he succeeds, so I thought I might lure another assassin out into the open. Then, they can be questioned sharply about whoever gave them the order. In fact, Iwasgoing to ask if you would like to join me, but if the princess insists I go alone...”
“No, wait,” she said quickly, before he could disappear into the corridor. She shifted sideways to stand before him. “Tell me about this trap of yours.”
Lorcan’s eyes danced with amusement. He had her, and they both knew it. She wanted to smack the smugness off his face, but she couldn’t risk losing her only chance at finding this would-be murderer.
With a bemused smile, he crossed his arms. “Do you still believe the Selkirks had a hand in the attempted assassinations?”
Reyna widened her eyes and glanced at the doors.
“There is no one there,” he said quietly.
“I truly do believe someone inside this court ordered the attack. But the question I have is,do you?”
He was silent for a long moment before turning toward her with a frustrated sigh. “It is not my place to become embroiled in political schemings. In fact, it is the very opposite. I stand. I watch. I protect against outright attacks. I shouldn’t involve myself in this.”
“If that’s how you feel, then why are you standing before me speaking of this?” Reyna asked.
He frowned. “I worry that you are right. And I worry that this will only end one way. With the death of you or Eislyn or even the prince. Or all three. Whoever wants you dead wants it for one reason. For power. And there are other odd things happening that I cannot explain...I will be truthful, Reyna. I worry for Thane’s life. Other than the prince, the only fae I trust inside this castle is me. And, perhaps you, oddly enough.”
