Page 31 of Decoy

Unfortunately, he saw through my vain attempts to repair the damage my weak will had inadvertently caused. “Again, such tricks won’t work on me. Plus after having once been condemned yourself, I doubt you’d submit a name without any proof for fear of hurting your credibility; the will to live is truly strong.” He steepled his fingers. “You must have evidence to risk submitting a name of someone so renowned. Explain.”

I carefully considered each word. While he seemed to be able to easily detect my lies, perhaps I’d be able to get away with omitting some of the more pertinent details. “I encountered him sneaking around on the roof and later discovered he possesses great prowess with a knife, both unusual skillsets for a noble.”

Just like me. I’d never expected to find someone so similar not only at court but under the title of assassin, which only increased my alarming desire to get to know him better, even as my sense knew how imperative it was for me to stay away.

The advisor pondered my words, but though he was clearly intrigued by my claims, I knew they weren’t enough for me to escape this dangerous masquerade. “While your findings are interesting, I’m afraid they’re not enough.”

I bit my lip to quiet my sigh. Unsurprising. Revealing Luke’s poisoning attempt would likely be sufficient, but my previous hesitancy lingered, stilling my tongue.

For all the tension in our relationship, I found myself reluctant to accuse Lord Luke without solid proof. While his actions made him the most likely suspect, there could still be others…such as the one who’d tried to kill me the night Luke rescued me, creating the possibility there weretwothreats against the princess. As if my task weren’t difficult enough.

“We’d need irrefutable proof before we confronted someone with such prestige,” Sir Rupert continued. “With the princess’s life in danger, caution is of the utmost necessity, especially since the prophecy alluded to aroyal, not the son of a duke.”

The fact I’d had to rely on receiving such an essential clue secondhand gave me reason to be wary. “It’d be more helpful if I could hear the prophecy firsthand.”

He frowned at the impertinence emerging from my previously languishing defiance. “You’re told all that you need to know.”

Clearly not. “Withheld information only puts me at a distinct disadvantage.”

The advisor ignored my disgruntled retort, which only reaffirmed my desires to find a way to get a hold of this prophecy so I could see for myself what it contained.

He pinned me with a sharp look. “If Lord Luke is the threat against Her Highness, you will immediately find the necessary evidence against him.”

He gave me no time to protest before escorting me back to my bedroom, where I was subjected to the humiliation of being searched by the maids under guards’ supervision for any additional weapons to confiscate, one followed by a thorough examination of my room, during which my trusty letter opener was confiscated.

Once he was satisfied there was nothing more to be found, Sir Rupert left me with not only a warning and a locked door, but now a locked window. “You will remain here until your assistance is required to acquire further information about Lord Luke. Remember: it’s in your best interest to find something.”

With that, he departed, leaving me glaring at the closed door with a heart swirling with dread for the task before me: I’d be required to encounter the assassin so soon after his recent attempt on my life and without a weapon. Emerging from such an encounter with my life would take a miracle.

CHAPTER10

Ifought for each hyperventilating breath as the confining walls closed in around me. I spent hours pacing my room in search for a way to escape—a means to breach the door or window, or even via secret passageway—but there was nothing.

My anxiety only escalated at the thought that my imprisonment prevented me from checking the trap I’d laid for Princess Liliana of Wisteria on the eastern balcony. I doubted I’d find her there, just as I hadn’t the past several dawns. It’d been abandoned every time…save for a certain assassin whistling on his morning stroll just below, yet another confirmation he’d somehow overheard each of my assigned traps and followed me. It seemed the only thing I was good at attracting as bait was scoundrels, leaving me exactly where I’d started with nothing to show for my efforts.

Eventually I calmed my anxiety just enough to resign myself to the long wait until the advisor released me with the information that Lord Luke was currently alone in the gardens, the perfect opportunity for me to acquire the evidence against him. And I must if I had any hope of surviving this scheme.

A sense of dread weighed every footstep as I searched the gardens, their immaculate and ornate beauty eclipsed by the worry crowding my thoughts. I secretly hoped Luke had left in the time it’d taken the advisor to inform me as to his whereabouts, but unfortunately I discovered him in the same enclosed area where I’d spent the morning.

A thoughtful pucker marred his brow as his thumb grazed each gash my knife had made on the tree. He sensed my presence without even turning around. “I don’t recall these being here when I strolled these gardens yesterday. Are they your doing?”

Apparently we knew one another well enough for him to accurately suspect me. He turned in time to see me lift my chin. “Indeed.”

His lips twitched. “It appears you’ve been putting my gift to good use. You hit the same spot multiple times, even managing to reach some challenging targets.” His gaze flickered up towards some of the higher branches I’d managed to strike.

“It was easy to achieve an accurate aim when I imagined each target was you.”

He chuckled. “Even so, it’s quite impressive.”

My impending duty was already difficult enough when the man constantly seemed to be two steps ahead, and his compliment only further weakened the resolve I already clung to by the thinnest of threads.

He gave one of the gouges in the bark one final caress before facing me. “I admit that last night my surprise prevented me from fully appreciating your skills, so I wouldn’t deny an opportunity to witness another demonstration.” Challenge glistened his eyes, inviting me to accept.

My fingers twitched, my desire for a rematch to reclaim the honor I’d relinquished last night escalating along with my confidence. He might have succeeded in disarming me, but I could certainly hold my own in an event where I’d always excelled.

“I’d be happy to provide a demonstration, but perhaps we can instead change it to a showcase to see who possesses the superior skill.”

I searched his expression for any sign of intimidation in hopes of gleaning some clue as to his own ability, but he only looked intrigued. “I’ll happily accept your challenge. Though you already possess the advantage of familiarity with our chosen target, it’s likely wise to limit our damage to one section of the royal grounds.”

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