“You’re resourceful,” he continued.“You have great skills of persuasion.In exchange for your freedom, you are going to work for me, spying on who I ask and uncovering what information I desire.”
That was not what I had expected.
“Mistrust must run in the family,” I said.“The other night your brother offered to pay me double whatever you were paying.”
“Then he would be paying you nothing.Exactly asI’mpaying you nothing.My payment is your freedom.Step out of line, try to double-cross me, fail to deliver on your end of the bargain, and I’ll send you and your friends straight to a prison cell.Even if you manage to escape, it wouldn’t bring you any comfort—because I’d make you the most wanted fugitives in the twelve kingdoms.”
Warning hung in his eyes and voice.
I didn’t doubt him.
Accepting this went against everything in me—but he’d left me without a choice.Not if I wanted to assassinate his father.And not if I wanted to keep from being enslaved to the Enchantress.
“When will my contract end?”I asked.
He shrugged.“Let’s say through the end of the seventh ball, the finale.Once it’s over, I want you out of Paravellia—and you are to never set foot in it again.”
Once I did what I came here to do, setting foot in his kingdom would be the last thing I would ever attempt to do.Analleia the King Killer they would call me.
“Fine,” I said, smirking.“I’ll make the bargain, but not before you give me your word.”
He stared me down, no doubt trying to figure out what was going through my head, before extending his right hand out to me.Not once did his expression waver or his eyes leave mine.
“On my word.”He took my hand in his, giving it a firm shake.“And on yours.”
Sealing a vow with a handshake was considered sacred to some.To break it was to bring eternal damnation upon yourself.
“On my word,” I repeated, releasing the warmth of his calloused hand.
He stood, stretching out his legs before walking to where his bodyguard waited for him at the door.
I watched him, confused.“What is it you want me to do?”
He turned, halfway over the threshold.“I’ll be in touch.You’re free to go—for now.”
The door slammed, the sound echoing throughout the room before fading into silence.
