Page 84 of Decoy

Before beginning our investigation, we both took the time to change—me in my princess garb, him in his courtly attire, disguises that would hopefully give us enough of an image of authority to more easily dismiss any unwanted questions should anyone discover us in a place we weren’t supposed to be.

Malik volunteered to search Sir Rupert’s private quarters, so Luke and I snuck to his study. A few guards stood outside, whom Luke easily incapacitated, and I went to work on the lock, but before I could open the door, Luke’s sudden touch over my hand compelled me to pause.

“Wait a moment.” The moment he spoke, the shadows stretching across the corridor stirred. Luke tilted his head, as if listening to them. “They’re searching the room to ensure it’s empty.”

It didn’t take long for them to investigate every nook and cranny. When they’d deemed the coast clear, Luke’s hand fell away, allowing me to slowly ease the door open. Save for the lurking shadows created by the faint light tumbling through the window, the room appeared entirely abandoned, ideal circumstances for our investigation.

Luke charged the shadows to keep watch and alert us when Sir Rupert left the dining hall, which allowed us to take a somewhat leisurely pace as we split up to cover more ground, looking thoroughly yet carefully enough not to leave any trace anyone had been here.

“Let’s hope the advisor doesn’t recognize your freesia perfume,” Luke suddenly teased.

I paused in rummaging through a thick stack of documents on the desk to glance at him. “Was that truly my giveaway when I snooped through your room?”

He didn’t answer with anything more than an innocent smile. I tried to look stern, a difficult task with the joy twitching my lips.

“It appears you noticed me rather soon in our acquaintanceship, Mr. Assassin.”

“In truth, you stole my heart the moment we met on the roof.”

“That long?” In my mischief I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how pleased his words made me. “That meeting was also memorable for me, considering it’s when you rose to the top spot of my list of suspects.”

“A list of suspects for your soulmate? Why Blair, I’m flattered.”

I rolled my eyes but could no longer contain my girlish grin. “You’re so full of yourself.” But goodness, it was thoroughly deserved, and I adored him for it.

I could have flirted with the charming man all night, but the chance that the advisor could return at any moment made time pressing. Reminding myself that securing my pardon would grant me as much time as I wanted to flirt with Luke to my heart’s content, I wrangled my focus back into submission.

The spacious study contained several cabinets, bookshelves, and drawers, any of which could contain concealed evidence…and that didn’t discount the possibility of hidden cubbies that could house any secrets the advisor didn’t wish to be discovered. The task seemed utterly daunting, but Luke tackled each section one at a time with single-minded focus, his eyes glinting with the determination to succeed no matter the cost.

My heart warmed at the effort he expended on my behalf. I’d spent many of the hours I’d been locked in the dungeon with regrets for the mistakes I’d made…but in this moment, I finally felt worth saving beyond an instinctual desire to live. If he could fight so hard for my life, then I could too.

Several minutes drifted by before we obtained anything useful, and to my annoyance, Luke discovered it first. “I’ve found something.”

I slammed the desk drawer I’d been perusing shut with an annoyed huff. “Why do you always best me in everything?”

Genuine surprise lifted his brows. “I didn’t realize this was a competition.”

“I can’t help but make everything one with you.”

He grinned. “There’s never a dull moment when we’re together.” He crossed the room to nestle me against his side so I could better see the faded parchment he lifted. “It appears our dear advisor is the one who hired the assassin who attacked you several nights ago, as well as those he sent after the real princess. With his governmental position granting him access to the silencing spell that took out your attacker before we could question him, he fits our suspect criteria.”

I squinted at the parchment…but it was entirely blank. Laughter danced in Luke’s gaze as he took in my reaction, amusement I effectively punished with a glare. “Are you teasing me, you odious man?”

“As infinitely amusing as I find such an engaging pastime, I would never do so when so much is at stake. Tell me, my dear: do you know the proper steps in hiring an assassin?”

“No, but I would very much like to be educated in them in case you ever annoy me too much.”

He chuckled, as usual not taking my threats seriously, which might have miffed me more if his charm didn’t affect me so. “There are various methods—contacting middlemen, visiting a secret location…”

“I’m intrigued, particularly to learn if there’s an assassin who specializes in scoundrels.”

“Does this target happen to be dashingly handsome and thoroughly charming?” He wriggled his eyebrows.

My lips twitched. “Perhaps.”

“Then I might be up for the job. The price range depends on the type of kill—an expensive charge will allow me to make it look like an accident; with an extra surcharge, I could even frame another of your enemies. For an additional fee, you can even choose the manner of death—strangulation, dagger, a convenient accident…”

“What of your specialty, poison?”

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