Page 112 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

When the person’s soft breaths broke through the silence, she steeled herself and leaped out from behind the tree. Daggers raised, she launched herself at the figure, but he anticipated it, fingers wrapping around her wrists as the force of her attack slammed them both into the snow.

Snarling, she tried to free her hands but stilled when low laughter erupted beneath the hood.

“Are you trying to kill me, darling?”

Lessia groaned as she tried to free her hands once more, but Loche wouldn’t let go; he only pulled her closer until she could make out his amused expression beneath the black wool.

“Let me go,” she growled.

The corners of Loche’s mouth curled. “If I do, will you try to stab me again?”

“That depends on why you’re following me.”

Lessia’s heart slammed against her rib cage as she realized he’d come from the direction of the meadow.

“I told you I’d find out your secret.” Loche winked.

Her pulse roared in her ears as she stared back at him.

She’d have to make him forget.

He’d send them back.

They were here without papers, breaking one of Ellow’s fundamental rules: all Fae, part- and half-Fae alike, needed to report their ancestry to ensure they weren’t related to the ones responsible for the destruction during the war.

Most of them were younger than sixteen, the age of adulthood in both Vastala and Ellow, when they were broughtover, so they were also required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Since the children had either dead parents or parents who didn’t want them—parents who would more likely kill them if they knew they were still alive—that wasn’t possible.

Instead, Lessia smuggled them over on Venko’s shady ships. Hiding them in the provisions hold, she got around having to inform anyone in Vastala or Ellow about their existence. But it also required her to keep them hidden until they were of age and they could forge papers for them, allowing them to work and contribute to Ellow’s society.

Loche’s eyes bounced between hers, and his features softened. “You’re doing this for them.”

Swallowing, she began pulling on her magic, even as everything inside her told her not to, that if she did this, she’d ruin everything between them.

Her nostrils flared at the thought.

There wasnothingbetween them.

And even if there was, she couldn’t risk the people she loved.

Not for a man.

Not for anyone.

Familiar waves of warmth began rolling through her when Loche released her wrists. Muscles tensing, she sucked in a breath when his hands cupped her face instead, and he forced her eyes to his.

“I won’t tell a soul.”

She narrowed her eyes, her magic buzzing over her skin.

Loche didn’t seem to notice as his thumbs stroked her cheeks. “I knew there must be something behind you joining the election. You clearly weren’t doing this for yourself—I’ve never seen anyone be so reluctant. Now I understand why. You’re saving those children, trying to make their lives better.And you can’t do that without them being fully accepted in Ellow.”

“Loche…” she started, but Loche interrupted her, a shadow crossing his face.

“I won’t tell a soul because what you’re doing is not wrong, Lessia. It’s admirable. It’s right. If you don’t win, I will make sure you and all your friends, and anyone else who comes from Vastala, are taken care of. That no one will endure what you have had to experience during this election.”

She didn’t know what to say.

Gratefulness and guilt tangled within her as she pushed the magic deep down.

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