Page 69 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

Sighing through her nose when she realized he wasn’t going to offer her a response, she finally broke their stare off, glancing down at her laced fingers. “We met at a ball.”

“Shocking,” Loche scoffed.

Lessia shrugged, shaking off the feeling of embarrassment that threatened a blush creeping up her neck.

He was supposed to think she was merely a floozy.

That she continued to feed into it was the only way to keep her private business safe.

“And Ardow?”

She wasn’t surprised Loche knew his name. Ardow managed a lot of their tavern business, and he’d met with Zaddock and many other men in Loche’s employ when she was busy.

Peeking at him, she found Loche’s eyes glued to her as if he wanted to see every thought crossing her face.

She made sure her face remained neutral as she responded. “In a tavern.”

“You seem close.”

“You seem like you’re stalking me.” Lessia glared at him.

His eyes trailed over her face. “I told you. I’ll find out why you’re here.”

Lessia ignored the current of apprehension skittering down her spine as she realized he must have been having her watched at all times.

She needed to be careful when she went back home.

Clearing her throat, she forced her voice to remain strong. “Let me know when you do.”

Nodding to himself, Loche shifted on the railing.

“It’s slippery, you know,” Lessia couldn’t stop herself from warning, even if a small part of her wouldn’t mind seeing fear slip across those hard features.

One side of his mouth quirked up. “I like the risk. Makes me feel alive.”

Of course he did.

When his eyes drifted ahead again, the intense warmth from them leaving her face, she blew out a soft breath, shifting her gaze to the stars winking above the castle.

Chapter

Thirty-Two

They remained silent for a long while, and Lessia’s shoulders lowered when Loche kept his gaze on the dark horizon.

Quietly contemplating whether she could find a way to lead him into answering more questions on what was happening in Havlands, she jerked when a commotion inside the castle pierced the air.

Spinning around, she took a step toward the door at the same time as Loche threw himself off the railing and sprinted ahead of her.

Lessia followed him toward the ruckus, and several servants and guards left their rooms and posts to fall in step with them as screams and metallic clangs reverberated through the halls.

As Loche turned a corner, he lurched to a stop, and Zaddock came into view, his expression serious as he called out, “The castle has been breached. Turn around and find shelter. Quickly!”

When a few guards and Loche and Zaddock lingered,Lessia remained in place as well, keeping her eyes on the two men as the servants and other guards ran toward the direction they’d come from.

“Who?” Loche’s voice was calm as he addressed Zaddock.

Zaddock’s eyes flitted between his for a moment before he mumbled, “Stellia’s closest guards. They’ve killed two of your men and several of the other guards. They’ve made it into the castle. They went after Craven and Venko, but they’re safe.”

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