Page 83 of Poisoned Kingdom
I understood that the dangerous aura around the assassin could be attractive to women, but if Sana liked big brutes skilled with weapons, why not choose one who’d won a fucking war?
‘Forget it,’ I said, returning to my seat. Settled at my desk once more, I noticed a sheet I’d missed in the report with an address and deed of ownership. I knew Sana had bought a house, but the official records took time to arrive. I glanced at it briefly, already aware that she was living with the dwarf, but the title on the deed made me question my eyesight. The property was registered under the names of Mr and Mrs Orenson.
The blood ran cold in my veins.What’s that woman up to now?
‘Veles’ pit, what a mess,’ I said, opening a bottle of wine while trying to make sense of the situation. My office was my sanctuary, but the dark wood and soft fabrics no longer brought me comfort. I waved a hand over the fae light when the shadows deepened.
What game are you playing, Viper? Is this your way of making me come to you?I wondered, shaking my head. ‘You’re in for a rude awakening, woman,’ I groused, raking a hand through my unruly hair.
I’d let it grow long, shaving only one side, using the thick, wavy strands to veil the worst of my scar—and the empty socket where my eye used to be. My fingers brushed the strap of my eyepatch, and I huffed a bitter laugh. ‘Reynard, you bloody idiot. Mooning over a woman who can’t even spare time to see you.’
I pushed back from the desk, wincing as the chair scraped across the stone. My eyes drifted towards the tall, arched window that framed the city below. Truso’s lights sparkled like a thousand stars, its bustling nightlife thriving under its innocent façade.
The temptation grew in my core. I stood immobile, fighting my instincts, wanting to see her, to find out why the master of the Blades kept her company so often, why she went by Mrs Orenson. Why everyone had her attention . . . except me.
What if someone’s stopping her—blackmailing her, perhaps? What if she’s in trouble while I’m sitting safely behind a desk, observing the world from above?
‘That’s a big bag of sweaty bollocks.’ I sighed. ‘Fuck it, I can’t sleep anyway,’ I muttered, calling for a servant.
A few moments later, I was dressed in the same outfit as dozens of other revellers that filled the streets at night. If that wasn’t enough to conceal my identity, the wolf mask’s enchantment would do the rest.
My servant gave me a disapproving stare when I fastened a short sword and duelling shield to my belt, but he’d learned long ago to keep any comments to himself.
‘Leave the passage open,’ I said. ‘And pull the guard. He won’t be needed tonight.’
Only a select few knew of the hidden corridor that led from the royal wing, through the old dungeons, and out to the river. I kept it that way, enjoying this gateway to freedom, but since I’d learned how Roksana had used it to sneak into my rooms, I’d kept it guarded—at least while I was in the palace.
‘Yes, my lord. Shall I wait up for your return?’
I shook my head. ‘No. Come back in the morning.’
Once he’d gone, I pulled a cloak over my shoulders, the hood casting my mask in shadow. Then I slipped into the night and went to find some answers.
It didn’t take long to reach the hidden door in the dockside warehouse. The property was owned by the Crown and kept purposefully empty. If I’d had any doubts about blending in, they faded when I was engulfed in the crowd of rowdy sailors,merchants hoping for one last trade, and patrons strolling back and forth between establishments.
I vaguely knew the directions to Sana’s house from the address in the report. It was in the artisan’s quarter, an area full of houses with private courtyards, arched windows, and cosy gardens.
It wasn’t a bad place to live, but the description of green window frames and a tiered red roof were useless in the dark. I needed to ask someone, and the opportunity arose in the form of a street urchin who tried to steal my money. Once I caught his wrist, I pulled the child to the side of the avenue.
‘You’ll get a coin if you tell me where I can find the dwarf who recently moved into this quarter with his human wife,’ I said.
The child whimpered—more in fear than pain, as I was careful not to squeeze too tightly—before he pointed to a small house at the end of the street.
‘The dwarf and his mage moved into that one,’ he babbled, simultaneously attempting to escape my grasp while holding his free hand out for the coin.
I pulled one out, and it disappeared, the kid running off the moment I released him.
Time to explain yourself, Viper,I thought, striding beneath the carved archway leading to Roksana’s house, dropping my hood as soon as I was out of direct view of onlookers.
‘Who the fuck are you, and why are you asking about my Sana?’ a muffled voice came from the left, followed by the unmistakable touch of cold steel at my throat.
His Sana.The phrase reverberated in my mind, stoking the flames of my ire.
‘Lower your weapon or I’ll gut you,’ I answered in an equally threatening tone, but the man only laughed.
‘Oh, I’d like to see you try,’ he answered confidently as he shifted behind me, the blade pressing evenly against my skin. Ithad to be the Blades master. My fists tightened with the need to confront him as I fought my instincts.
‘Take that wretched blade away from my neck,’ I snarled, my body trembling in anticipation, hoping he wouldn’t listen.
