Page 47 of The Panther's Price

Thalia’s voice again, lower this time. “You’re not the first assassin to get too close to a mark. But youwillbe the last, if you don’t remember what side you’re on. We all know your mother is paranoid enough to make sure of it.”

Evryn didn’t stay to hear more.

She stumbled back through the trees, shadows blurring with her vision. Her skin felt too tight. Her pulse a war drum in her ears.

Last night had meant something to her.

Everything.

And to him?

A lie. A delay tactic. An obligation.

Her thoughts spiraled as she returned to the garden, her breath hitching in silent fury. He still worked for the Queen. The woman who wanted her dead. The woman who wanted nothing more than to see her bloodline cease to exist.

And Lucien, who had kissed her like she was the only thing keeping him human—hadn’t even tried to deny it.

He returned not long after, the veil brushing shut behind him like it didn’t want to carry the weight of what had been said.

Evryn was waiting.

Lucien paused when he saw her. His face unreadable, but his shoulders already tensed—like he’dknown.

“Where were you?” she asked. Her voice was sharp, but quiet.

Lucien hesitated. “Scouting.”

“Try again.”

He swallowed. “Evryn?—”

“I heard you,” she snapped. “You and Thalia. Every word.”

Lucien went still. The air between them cracked wide open.

“You still serve the Queen,” she said, stepping forward. “Youliedto me.”

“I didn’t—” he began, but the look in her eyes cut him off.

“Don’t you dare say you didn’t mean to. You’ve been lying since the day we met. Since the Borderlands. Since the market. All of it.”

Lucien stepped closer, hands raised, voice softer now. “I was trying to protect you.”

“You were following orders!”

“Iwas,” he said, sharp now. “But things changed.”

She laughed, harsh and broken. “Because we slept together?”

“No. Because I saw who you are.”

“Then why couldn’t you tell me the truth?!”

Lucien’s voice dropped, raw. “Because I knew you’d run. And because I didn’t want to lose you before I figured out how to fix the damn mess I was born into.”

Evryn stared at him. Her hands trembled, not with fear—but with rage. With heartbreak. She shook her head, slowly.

“I can’t believe I let myself get distracted. I should’ve been looking for Eamon. He’s the only one I can trust.”

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