Page 8 of Wild Flame

And waited.

Only when I had begun to despair that the dragon wouldn’t be leaving her rider at all, did I hear the soft flutter of wings above. I glanced up from where I crouched behind some shrubs underneath the balcony and watched as a tiny violet dragon darted into the sky.

The Assassin was smiling on me, it would seem.

My breath caught as she reached a greater height and transformed into her natural form. The female was a beautifulcreature. I had to ignore the stab of pain at the knowledge that if I succeeded in my mission, it was not just her rider I would be putting to death, but the dragon as well.

Pushing aside the unsettling emotions the thought brought forward, I waited until well after the dragon had disappeared into the sky before I moved.

It took no effort at all to stretch up and grab onto the nearest vine and begin to climb. In under a minute, I was level with the tower balcony. No light came from the room within, and I swung my body over and landed in a crouch, my feet silent on the stone.

I was prepared to pick the lock on the balcony doors, but they had been left open. I shook my head. It always amazed me how safe people believed they were just because they were a few stories off the ground.

I pushed aside the gossamer curtains and was careful of the many large cushions strewn about the room that Zehvitians often preferred to actual chairs. The scent of lilies and jasmine assailed me. Moonlight spilled through the doors, and I could see a figure lying still in the room’s large bed.

Silently, I pulled the thin blade from the small pocket sewn into the lining of my suit. It was coated with a layer of pearlescent nakki poison—taken from the vial Silvanus had given me, along with my orders. Nakki were shapeshifting fishlike creatures that were only found in Halmar, and their poison was absolutely lethal—even to dragon riders with their accelerated healing. I removed the protective leather sheath, careful not to let even my gloved hands come in contact with the poisoned blade.

Taking a calming breath, I forced myself to feel nothing, internally retreating behind the familiar wall inside my mind, not allowing any emotions to penetrate my outer calm as I approached the bed.

Who my target was didn’t matter. I would deliver the poison like I had with others and leave.

Reaching the foot of the bed, I silently lifted the blade, intending to administer a slice to the calf. The blade was so sharp that targets rarely even woke—

My eyes dropped to the figure in the bed, and I froze.

I knew the princess was young, but the woman—or girl, really—who was lying there looked no more than fourteen or fifteen years old. She had sharp Zehvitian features, with long dark hair falling loose around an angelic face. She looked so innocent.

Hurry,the voice inside me urged.Her dragon could be back at any moment.

And still, I stood frozen. Unable to make myself move.

Stalling, my eyes scanned the room, looking for someone, anyone else. This had to be a mistake. Thisgirlcouldn’t be my target. The princess and I had never met before, so maybe it wasn’t her. There had to be someone else in the room. Someone else whom The Assassin meant for me to kill.

My gaze caught on the brown trainee riding leathers laid carelessly across a chair near the bed. How many times had I seen a similar sight in Helene’s room? My eyes shot back to the princess. My heart lodged in my throat.

What could this girl have possibly done to warrant someone wanting her dead? Was it merely her position that put her in danger?

None of that matters. Just do it.

The soft scent of lilies and jasmine wafted through my nose again as a sliver of doubt crept in.

My anxiety rose. None of this made sense. I had never been sent to kill a rider before, and it all felt—wrong. It had all felt wrong from the start.

This is The Assassin’s will.

But . . .was it?

Indecision plagued me. I had to do this. I had to kill her. I had vowed. Anything he asked of me.

I looked once more at the young princess’s face.

My blade started to lower . . . I couldn’t—

The girl’s eyes popped open, and our gazes met.

She blinked once as sleep-muddled surprise and confusion pinched her expression. Then her gaze drifted to the knife I still held poised over her. Her body stiffened, and I saw the flash of fear and then anger. Then she shouted an alarm.

I sprinted for the balcony doors, tucking away my dagger as I went. I knew I only had moments until her dragon made an appearance.

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