Page 65 of The Assassin's Dancer
“We need to get you out of here,” I say to her.
Damn the letter, I’ll come back for it later. It’s not like Andrick’s going to stop me while he’s bleeding out on the floor.
Dropping to my knees, I ask, “Can you stand?”
Ruby just smiles, a little lopsidedly. “I can stand.”
Reaching forward, I steady her as she wobbles to her feet.
“And I can dance too,” she adds. “Want to see?”
“No. That’s alright.” I catch her before she twirls, pressing her to my side.
She nuzzles into my neck, giggling endlessly. “Mmm, you even smell like an angel,” she murmurs as we move towards the door. “You’re so lovely.”
“I’m really not.” I kick the door open, holding her tight as we step out to the hallway. “Now you need to try your best to walk with me, okay? I’m taking you home now.”
“Home,” she laughs. “But I’m so much happier here. I feel so free. Like a bird!”
I say nothing to that. Instead, I focus on keeping her upright as we stumble together through the never-ending corridors and bustling rooms.
I’ll never understand why people come here. Sure, the women are pretty and the rooms look nice, but if you look closely at the golden walls all you’ll see is cracks in the paint. And the women are only nice because they’re blissed out of their minds. It’s hard to say no to a pretty girl who seems so willing.
“Can you kiss me like he is?” Ruby asks as we pass a couple sprawled out on a daybed. The girl is so blissed-up she’s barely conscious, while a man, clearly sober, practically chews her face off.
It’s not a pretty sight. Had I known the drug problem was this bad here, I’d have shut this place down seasons ago.
“Let’s just go home, Ruby,” I tell her, turning another corner as we reach the main room. I spy the door and set off, draggingRuby through the crowds. But a low voice stops me in my tracks, and my stomach dives for the floor.
“Sir Henry!”
Without thinking, I shove Ruby towards an open private room, ignoring her yelp as she stumbles inside. After slamming the door shut, I turn to see the last person I ever expected to be here marching straight towards me.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I seethe at Orion, keeping my hand tight on the door handle.
The prince raises an eyebrow at my tone, but I couldn’t give two shits. I’ve got plenty more than harsh words planned for him.
“No need to be so bad-tempered, dear Henry,” he purrs, eyeing the door. “I have no intention of stealing whatever whore you’ve just locked away in there.” A cocky grin spreads across his face. “I’m only here to celebrate.”
My lips flatten. “And you chose thisfine establishmentof all places?” There’s no way he just happened to be here – a prince in Night Alley. Almost as unlikely as a blissed-up princess in a whorehouse, I suppose.
“Am I not allowed to leave the palace?” he laughs, tilting his head. “King Sol actually recommended this place. He said the girls here were unlike anything I’d find back home. And my goodness, was he right. I’ve never met such eager whores.”
“Yes, well, they’re all high on bliss.” My eyes narrow. “It’s a drug.”
“Oh that’s plain to see,” Orion chuckles. “I shall have to procure some to take back to the palace. I’d love to try it out on my new fiancée – loosen her up a bit. After we’re wed, of course.”
Fury claws up my throat. He’s not a fool. He knows exactly what his words are doing to me.
If Orion wasn’t already a dead man walking, that little comment would’ve just signed his death warrant.
“That’s exactly what I’m celebrating actually,” he continues with a cruel grin. “Your good King Sol has agreed to let me marry his eldest daughter. Amaryllis and I are due to return to my palace as soon as our negotiations are finished. Let’s just hope her cunt is worth the price I paid for it.”
He laughs as my scowl only deepens.
“Spoken like a true gentleman,” I mutter.
“Now, now, Henry.” The prince smirks. “I merely came over to ask if you wished to join in with my celebrations, but I can see that you’re already busy.” His gaze drops to my hand, still tight on the door handle. “Although I ask that you send the little redhead my way once you’re done with her.” My jaw tenses. “If I fuck her from the back, I can pretend she’s the princess.”
