Page 73 of Poisoned Kingdom
I reached out and touched the mask. Reynard pulled back slightly, startled by my gesture, but I’d already felt it—the traces of aether in the wolf’s muzzle tangled into an enchantment.
‘Do you follow every assassin you employ, or am I the only one granted this honour?’ I asked, pulling his hood farther forward to conceal his dark hair. I didn’t know exactly how the enchantment worked, but it was the wrong place to take chances. He stilled, tilting his head down to let me adjust the fabric.
‘As I said, I wasn’t following you. In fact, I’ve been trying to avoid you, but it seems fate had other plans. There’s a major gathering at the Brotherhood Chapter House today. I wanted to investigate . . . and noticed you heading straight into a trap. Did you know you’ve been followed since you left the House of Lilies? The man you dispatched was one of many,’ he said,tapping my forehead. ‘Your life belongs to me. I can’t let anyone else take it.’
‘How gracious of you,’ I responded, ‘but my life is my own. I’m onlyworkingfor you—which I could do far more efficiently if you’d let me go.’
The bastard chuckled.
‘Oh, I let you go quite some time ago,’ he murmured. ‘But here you are. Still standing so close I can smell your perfume. Lilac . . . and honey.’ His eyes dragged over me. ‘You’re making me hungry, Viper. It’s so tempting, I want to take a bite, right here.’ The low rasp of his voice crawled down my spine as his finger traced the curve of my neck, slow and deliberate, before pulling away. I missed his proximity almost instantly.
What is wrong with me?
My mouth opened—probably to argue, to saysomething—but no sound came. His hands weren’t anywhere near me, yet mine were still fisted in the fabric of his hood, pulling him back in . . .
Oh, for all the gods, Sana.
I made a weak attempt to push him away, but Reynard was built like a mountain. He didn’t move, so I did—stepping aside, head down, trying to hide the burn in my cheeks.
‘You should really send your men for errands like this,’ I said when I was sure my voice wouldn’t betray me.
‘And miss all this? Doesn’t your king deserve some entertainment? Besides, you seem well-informed, so tell me: Do you know what is happening inside the mansion?’ he asked, and I grimaced, wondering how much I could share without risking involvement.
‘I have a vague idea . . .’ I hedged. ‘But I’ll know for sure once I’m inside. Let me pass so I can investigate. Who knows’—I shrugged—‘I might even have some gossip for you tomorrow.’
He smirked, tilting his head before placing his palm on the wall above my head once more. ‘And if I don’t step away—whatthen, Viper? Are you going to put me to sleep like that fool now snoring on the ground? You’ll need more than a handful of powder to do that,’ he teased, and although I was caged between his body and the wall, the heat radiating from him was comforting rather than threatening.
‘It would certainly remove a certain stubborn obstacle in my way.’ I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Reynard seemed to be having the time of his life teasing me, but I was running out of time. ‘Look, I really have to go. Should I forget the orders you gave me?’
‘No, Viper, you shouldn’t forget me . . . or my orders, and I’m stalling for a reason,’ he said with a smirk before shifting slightly to let me see the street. ‘If you can endure my company for a moment longer, your way in will be much easier. The mask is bespelled to divert onlookers’ attention. The two by the door have already lost interest, but I bet more are watching the alley entrance from the rooftop. I’ll distract them, but you must tell me what you know. What’s so special about this meeting that you’re willing to push past me to get inside?’
So, all this teasing and stalling for time was a part of his strategy.
I huffed in annoyance, not because of what he’d done, but because he had deceived me, too. His touch had felt so real. Still, I held back, even when he reached for a lock of hair, wrapping it around a finger.
Oh, no, my wolf. Two can play this game.
I smiled sweetly, sliding my arms around his neck, and drew Reynard close. He didn’t resist. When he leaned in—so near I could kiss the curve of his ear—I lowered my voice to a sultry whisper.
‘I think someone plans to oust the grand master tonight, using a promise I made after returning to Truso.’ Reynard tensed, his muscles straining under my touch. ‘I have to enter theBrotherhood house before midnight, or they’ll use my absence to remove him.’
‘Do you know who will take his place?’ Ruthlessness hardened the soft baritone of his voice, and for the first time since meeting him, genuine fear tightened my throat.
‘No one . . . if I make my entrance,’ I answered quietly, glad his glacial anger wasn’t directed at me.
‘Then let’s go,’ he said, already moving. ‘I’ll get you inside—over their corpses if I have to. Just make sure Boyan keeps his seat.’
With that, he pulled me in close, his broad frame shielding me as we slipped from the alley. Two shadowy figures detached themselves from the wall, their movements flawlessly coordinated as they began to circle to accost me.
‘Stop,’ I whispered, still hidden behind him. ‘Those are trained killers. I can’t let them kill the king.’
Reynard turned, and the cheeky, boyish chuckle he released shook his wide shoulders.
‘You forget, Viper. I’m a warrior—one who’s bloody good with a sword,’ he said, reaching for my hood and pulling it over my face, leaving me speechless for the second time tonight. ‘Don’t worry about me, and keep close to the wall. I’ll take care of your little problem.’
He didn’t give me time to answer, throwing off his cloak in a dramatic gesture, and I used the distraction to disappear into the shadows while he advanced on the men running towards us.
The clash of steel diverted my attention and when someone leapt from the rooftop, I almost missed his attack. He struck where I’d been standing, but I’d already started running.
