Page 35 of The Assassin's Dancer
How hard could it be?
“It’s fine. I can do it,” I say, touching up my lip colour.
Meera sighs. “You know, you’re not how I expected you’d be, Princess.”
I raise an eyebrow, but before I can ask her what she means there’s a knock at the door.
Meera straightens. “That’ll be him.” She grins, patting me on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you two to it. It’s showtime!”
My mouth opens, but she’s gone before I have a chance to say goodbye, the room feeling much colder without her.
Heart pounding, I turn back to the mirror. A loose red curl threatens to escape my hairstyle. I’m just smoothing it into place when a deep voice vibrates through my core.
“Good evening, Ruby.”
My fingers freeze on the curl. Lowering my hands, I turn slowly.
Kasimir stands metres away, his arms folded as he leans against the closed door. Once again, I didn’t hear him enter.
I’ve no idea how he does it. A man of his towering height should not be able to pass through the shadows so easily and yet somehow he does, catching me off guard every time. It’s like the nighttime bows to him. It lets him pass through dark rooms and sit unnoticed in shadowed corners while two oblivious maids help their princess bathe?—
Breath quickening, my cheeks heat. I still don’t know why I did it. I’d never touched myself in front of a man before, barely even touched myself alone. But there’s just something about him. Something that makes me want to try all the dangerous, exhilarating things that I’ve never dared to try.
And the worst part is, I know if I could turn back the clock, I’d do it all again.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, stepping into the firelight. Just like during the ball, he’s dressed more formally than usual. A finely made black cape hangs from his shoulders while an embroidered tunic covers his chest – probably hiding an obscene number of daggers.
Turning back to the mirror, I try not to show how much that affects me as I reply, “I’m feeling well, thank you.”
I hear him sniff with laughter. “Glad to hear that,” he says. Then he steps closer until I can smell the faint hints of pine as his hands grip the back of my chair. “You won’t be in any danger tonight,” he reminds me. “Everything has already been arranged for you. And I can promise I won’t let you out of my sight, even for a minute. Just think of this as a party – a nice, safe party where you get to perform.”
Tilting my chin up, I meet his green eyes. “A nice safe party where yourfriendsare off busy stealing from the host?”
“The best kind of party.” He grins, ignoring my scowl.
“What are you stealing anyway?” I press. “Don’t you have enough gold?” I glance pointedly around the room at his gilded portraits. Clearly, despite his home address, he’s not poor.
Kaz chuckles, dropping his voice. “You know, there are a lot of things worth more than money in this world. Perhaps if you dance well andbehave.” My lower belly warms at his words almost instinctively. “Then maybe I will show you the goods after the heist.”
With a smile, he draws back, extending his hand for me to take. “Come now, we should leave. Mr Bailey is expecting us and it’d be rude to keep our generous host waiting.”
I scowl again. “I can think of something else ourgenerous hostmight think is rude.” If I were a better princess I’d already have written a report to the Captain of the Guards.
I don’t care what Mr Bailey might’ve done. Stealing is wrong. Always.
Kaz slips me a wink, a shadow crossing his features as I take his hand. “Trust me, Ruby. Sometimes rules are better broken.”
By the time we reach the tavern, the rain has slowed just enough for stars to peek through the gloomy clouds above. Just like the rest of the street, the old building has been cobbled together with cracked stones and wooden beams painted black to match the night sky.
The roof, half-rotten from too many damp winters, has holes large enough to let the golden light from inside seep through. And the walls seem to shake from the roaring shouts and music coming from within them.
I’m still clinging onto Kasimir’s arm as he leads me to the front door. Only the two of us walked this way. The rest of his crew found an alternative route to avoid any suspicion.
“Remember, you’re perfectly safe with me,” he says, passing me a reassuring smile before pushing the door open.
Hesitantly, I nod. Like he said, it’s just a party. A nice, safe?—
My jaw unhinges.
