Page 172 of Resurgent

“No way! No wonder they are moving everything along so fast.”

In the mirror, I see my hairstylist nodding enthusiastically behind me. “Can’t have the future heir being born out of wedlock, that would stir up all sorts of unwanted attention.”

My stomach sours, and for the first time since I got here, I consider going along with Tyr’s plan to abort the mission.

How can I kill a father-to-be in front of his pregnant fiancée?

The baby would grow up without a father.

Or maybe the despair would make her miscarry, and I’d be responsible for not one but two deaths. Bile rises in my throat.

“Tyr—"

“All done! Take a look.”

The initial shock when I look at myself in the mirror is apparently quite funny to the women who have been pampering me for hours, but truthfully, I had forgotten about my morphed features, so looking up to see a blonde in the mirror takes more than a few seconds to adjust to.

“Your car is already here, hurry into your dress so we can tie it.”

“Remember to step into it so you don’t mess up your hair!” my stylist reminds me through the door.

“Tyr, I don’t know if I can do this if she’s pregnant.”

“I want you out of this, but I wouldn’t base my decision on anything those two say.” I hear him chuff before he continues, “One of them thought the bellman was a hitman here to take out the King’s court.”

“Why is that so funny? I’m a spy here to take out the prince?”

“You aren’t overweight and missing an eye and a leg.”

I laugh out loud, then try to cover it with a cough. “Touché.”

I take a few deep breaths and center myself like my therapist and I have spent months working on as I secure my dagger from Hunter to my leg; one more thing to keep me grounded.

“Okay, I can do this. If she is pregnant, then we abort, and I find my way out. If she isn’t, then the plan moves forward.”

“Ready to pick you up when you are.”

“Ms. Beaumont, are you alright in there? We can tie the neck for you if you need.”

I open the door, “Almost ready! Just need to grab my mask, jewelry, and invitation from the safe.”

I walk to the desk and stand with my back facing them so I can type in my code and get the contents without them seeing.

I quickly slide the vial into the small pocket hidden between my boobs, secure my mask, and slip my tennis bracelet and cascading earrings into place.

As my handler and glam squad had said, my ride is out front waiting, but I was sorely mistaken when I assumed it would be a car.

No, waiting for me is a beautiful white horse with silver tack harnessed to an open carriage trimmed with polished silver. A light blanket is lying over the back of the cushioned seat, just in case I get cold.

“My lady.”

The coachman bows slightly before extending his hand and helping me inside.

“When we pick you up this evening, you will have a closed carriage, but since you traveled in for this joyous occasion, we wanted you to have a chance to see the city.”

“Thank you. Truly. This is incredible.”

“May I be the first to tell you that you look beautiful this evening.”