Page 21 of The Assassin's Dancer
Hugo yelps. “But, but what about our deal! My bride!”
“No more bride for you.”
The prince’s cheeks redden, and for a second I think he’ll be stupid enough to argue. But when a bead of blood splashes against his doublet, his shoulders shudder and he lets out a defeated grunt.
“You can tell the king he’s got his wish,” he grumbles. “I’ll leave after the ball.”
“No.” My grip on my blade tightens. “You’ll leave now and never return.”
Hugo huffs. “But this is outrageous, I?—”
“Now.” Another drop of blood lands on his collar as my blade punctures his skin.
“Alright! Alright!” he squeals. “I’ll leave now, just please, please put the daggers away.”
My lips twitch. “Of course, Your Highness.”
This is for you, my Ruby.
With a grin, I lower my blade before yanking out the dagger that pinned Hugo’s pale hand to the table.
Screeching, the prince sobs as he clutches his bleeding hand to his chest. “You scoundrel!”
“Do not disobey King Sol by ever thinking you’ll be welcome back here.” I use his cloak to wipe the blood from my daggers. “You have one hour to be gone from this bedchamber, or the king will have his guards drag you out through the ballroom.”
Hugo scoffs but doesn’t dare to challenge me. Men like him might puff out their chests and act all huffy, but deep down they’re cowards. Sick minds and weak bodies. That’s why they target the younger girls. Disgusting pigs.
I leave the prince’s bedchamber with a satisfied grin and my heart still racing from adrenaline.
I could go home now. The sun has long since set and it’s been over a week since I returned to Night Alley – but there’s a ball starting soon, and I’m in the mood to celebrate. What makes it even more tempting is that a certain red-haired princess will be in attendance – one who’ll be wearing the particularly ravishing gown I spotted hanging over her chaise longue when I passed by her room this morning.
Breathing softly, I let my fingers skim the purple ribbon knotted tightly around my wrist.
There’s really no point hiding it any more. I’m already too far gone. My work here at the palace may be done, but I’m certainly not. Princess Amaryllis was mine from the moment I had her moaning against the wall in her bedchamber, and she’d be a foolto think a few diamond necklaces could ever come close to what I want from her now.
What Ineed.
You’re mine, Ruby. And now my work here is done, it’s time I collect my payment.
9
AMARYLLIS
Tonight, the palace ballroom is alive with music and colour.
Dressed in a rich burgundy overcoat, Father leans back in his throne as he watches hundreds of couples twirling across the dance floor, each pair sparkling under the light of the crystal chandelier.
My sisters are all dressed beautifully too, even the ones who usually refuse to be stuffed into heavy ball gowns. Like Iris, who dances gracefully in her long, fitted black dress, while Kalimeris, Father’s eleventh daughter, bounces to the music in her puffy lavender gown.
Everyone looks so wonderful, and the music streaming from the band is exactly what we love to hear in our dance circle each night. But no matter how much my feet ache to dance with my sisters, the only sound I can focus on is the heavy sloshing of wine as I fill my goblet to the brim again.
I haven’t left the drinks table all evening.
“Smile, Ami!” Camellia glides up to me in a gown that’s very her – dainty and in her typical shade of white. A sparkling tiara rests on her shoulder-length brown hair, just like the one I’m wearing.
A gift from Father. He never fails to spoil us.
“You look so miserable standing there all alone.” Camellia drops her lips into a pout. “Come and dance with us.Please. We’re missing you out there.”
