Page 91 of The Study of Magic
“Until you’re caught,” she said, sourly.
“There’s always that chance. Part of the allure, I suppose.” He nuzzled her neck and then sighed with regret. “I better get back. It’ll be dawn soon.” He rolled out of bed and pulled on his pants. “Besides, I don’t want to be here when your boyfriend arrives.”
“Who?” She sat up.
“The blond that follows your every move with his lovesick eyes,” Valek teased.
“Cahil?” She laughed, dismissing the blond. “He thought Janco was my heart mate. I think you should feel more jealousy toward my horse. She’s the one who has stolen my heart.”
Valek stilled as the amusement dropped from his face. Had he heard right?
“What’s his name?”
“Her name is Kiki.”
He shook his head. “Not the horse. The blond.”
“Cahil.”
That name should be attached to a dead man. “Cahil Ixia? The King’s nephew? He’s alive?” Had he missed one of the King’s relatives? He thought he’d assassinated them all.
“I thought you knew,” she said.
He hadn’t known. But now?—
“Valek, don’t kill him,” she pleaded.
“He’s a threat to the Commander.” And therefore, must die.
“He’s my friend.”
Valek’s cold gaze met hers. Of course, Yelena had to find the one person in Sitia that she shouldn’t be friends with. He relented. “The second he becomes more than a potential threat, he’s dead.”
She relaxed. “I’m glad the Commander is safe within Ixia’s borders.”
Even though she’d recognized Signe as the Commander, she wasn’t going to say anything to him, keeping the Commander’s secret. Valek admired her loyalty. “He’s taking a vacation. He’s the only person I know who thinks hunting sand spiders is relaxing.”
“Aren’t you worried he’ll get stung?” She shuddered, just like Janco had. Those super-quick creatures were hard to kill.
“No. I still can’t beat the Commander in a knife fight. His skills are more than adequate to handle a sand spider. Plotting royalty is another matter, though. I’ll have to keep an eye on this Cahil.” No wonder the man had scowled at the Ixian delegation.
“Valek, did you used to leave your carvings behind when you assassinated someone?”
He wondered where that question came from. “Have you been listening to Sitian rumors?”
She nodded. “But I don’t necessarily believe all that I hear.”
“Good. Although, I’m embarrassed to admit that one is true. I was young, cocky, and stupid, enjoying being known as the Death Artist. I even started leaving a carving before I began a job, letting my victim find it.” Valek shook his head at the memory. “That nonsense almost got me killed, so I stopped it altogether.”
Valek finished dressing. “I’ll be at the market today in case anything happens.”
He kissed Yelena and she clung to him for a moment. While he wished to stay more than anything, she was in danger, and he needed time to get into position. When she let go, he pointed his head toward the door where her guard waited.
As she distracted him, Valek peered out the window. Sure enough, the second guard heard their voices and was looping around. He climbed from the window. Thank fate she was on the ground floor and at the very end of the row.
* * *
Valek stopped by the rooms Adviser Ilom had been assigned; he was sharing them with Valek. Telling him he was ‘on’ for today, Valek changed into standard Sitian clothing of nondescript brown tunic and pants. He wore a warmer layer underneath the clothes, as it had grown cold overnight, and he didn’t want to be encumbered with a cloak. Hurrying to the market, he hoped to find a good location to watch for Yelena and Irys. Dark clouds sealed the sky and threatened rain.
