Page 35 of Warrior Princess
“Now we’re talking!” Avery leaned in, her gaze intensifying. “I have critical information about King Malik,” she whispered conspiratorially. The flickering candlelight played across her features, softening the harsh lines of her face.
I leaned forward, suddenly very interested in what she had to say. “What about my father?”
“He's in danger. Once you free my operatives, I'll tell you more.” Her hazel eyes, so similar to Caelan’s, locked on mine with a serious undertone to her otherwise playful demeanor. I saw tendrils of silver hair tucked beneath the red wig she wore to hide her identity.
Outraged, I nearly leapt from my seat. Only Ronan’s firm grip on my arm kept me in place. He shook his head, silently urging caution.
“If—and this is a bigif—we agree to this, we'll need more than just a promise of information,” Ronan bargained, his voice low and steady.
Avery’s smile broadened. “Fair enough. In addition to the information about your father, I'll provide another piece of intel, equally valuable. But I can't divulge it just yet.”
I was eager to wrap up the conversation and move forward. “Where are your operatives being held?”
“In the dungeons.” Avery tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “I believe you’re quite familiar with them.”
Of course, she knew about my past imprisonment there. What didn’t she know?
Ronan whispered to me, “We can consult Silas about how he managed to get in to rescue you.”
Nodding in agreement, I turned back to Avery and extended my hand to her. “Fine. You have a deal.”
Her hand clasped mine firmly. “Pleasure doing business with you, Princess Lyanna.” The warmth of her grip belied the cold calculation in her eyes, reminding me that in this game of thrones, trust was a luxury we couldn’t afford.
16
After agreeing to rendezvous with Avery in the Silent Mountains in two days with her operatives, Ronan and I lingered in the Rose Petal. With its dim lighting and the soft clinking of glasses, it felt like a temporary refuge from the looming threats outside. We gradually loosened up under the influence ofA Thousand Roseswine. Our third jug was halfway empty.
Ronan reached across the table and gently folded my hand into his. “Are you okay?”
I offered an indifferent shrug. The consequences of our situation settled deeper with each passing moment. “I don’t know. I feel numb right now.”
He nodded, understanding the turmoil that clouded my thoughts. “I know you’re worried about your father, but you have to trust that Marcellus will look after him.”
“I’m certain Avery holds more cards than she laid out on the table,” I confessed, the uncertainty gnawing at me.
Ronan glanced around the lounge, his gaze cutting through the swirl of patrons lost in their revelries. “Let's get out of here,” he suggested, a hint of urgency in his voice.
As I scanned the room, noting the array of carefree expressions and fleeting glances, a strange sensation bubbled within me—desire to flee and a longing to forget. The normalcy of life in the Rose Petal was tempting, a stark contrast to the complexities waiting for us outside.
Impulsively, I said, “Why don’t we find a room?” The words were out before I fully grasped their implications, but once spoken, they seemed exactly right. Here, amidst the anonymity of the Rose Petal, we could carve out a space just for ourselves, even if just for a night.
Ronan paused as the suggestion took a moment to register. A slow smile spread across his face, erasing the lines of tension that had been building between his brows. “You mean...here?” he confirmed, his tone a blend of surprise and intrigue.
I nodded, feeling a rush of rebellious thrill at the idea. The Rose Petal, with its veiled allure and whispered secrets, seemed like the perfect escape from the weight of the looming threats and political intrigues. “Yes, here,” I said, feeling both determination and a hint of daring. “Just for tonight. Let's forget about everything else.”
Ronan studied me for a long moment, his gaze intense but understanding. The dim, golden light from the overhead chandeliers reflected in his eyes, giving them a warm, almost fiery glow. Finally, he gave a small, conceding nod, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Alright.” His voice was low and husky. “Let's do that.” The last of his reservations melted away as he stood and offered me his hand.
We stood and left behind the empty wine jugs and the sensual buzz of the lounge. Ronan led me by the hand, weaving around tables and past smiling patrons who were too engrossed in their own revelries to pay us any mind. The further we moved from the main floor, the quieter it became, until the laughter and music faded into a soft, ambient hum. The nightpromised a brief escape, a pause in the relentless march of our responsibilities—a respite found in each other's company.
Reaching the secluded upper floors, Ronan spoke to a discreet attendant and handed him a Glint. The man nodded with a knowing look and led us down a plush, carpeted corridor. Soft lamps cast a gentle light, creating a sense of intimacy and seclusion. The attendant stopped before an ornate door, its wood polished to a high shine and adorned with delicate carvings of roses and vines. With a discreet bow, he handed Ronan the key and retreated silently, leaving us alone in the quiet hallway.
Ronan unlocked the door and we stepped into a room that seemed designed for privacy and luxury. The space was dominated by a large, four-poster bed draped with sheer, flowing fabrics that fluttered slightly in a gentle breeze from the open window. Soft pillows and lush, velvet throws were scattered across the bed, inviting relaxation and abandon. A pair of armchairs sat near a small fireplace where a fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the room.
Closing and locking the door behind us, Ronan turned to me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. “Just for tonight.” His voice echoed my earlier words, now charged with a promise of forgetting the world outside.
I stepped closer and reached up to thread my fingers through his hair, pulling him down to meet my lips. As we kissed, the tensions and worries of the past few days seemed to melt away, replaced by the immediate, consuming presence of each other. Tonight, in the secluded haven of the Rose Petal, nothing else mattered but the here and now.
With our lips pressed together, he walked me toward the bed. Once the back of my knees met the mattress, he lifted my dress and pulled it over my head until I stood bare before him. With frenzied hands, I undid the ties of his trousers until they pooledat his ankles. He kicked them off with his boots and quickly tore off his shirt.
