Page 55 of Of Kings and Thieves

“We’ll think of something,” I said. I was actually feeling a bit guilty—the last few days of training and traveling non-stop had relegated the problem to another portion of my mind. I hadn’t forgotten our errand, but it had seemed distant.

But now it was looming in front of us, and I didn’t feel prepared. I shivered and tucked myself closer to Col, burying my head in his neck.

Do you want to sneak off into a dark corner? I breathed against his skin, inhaling that scent that was all him.

Always. But we only have a few hours to sleep, my love.

And you love your beauty sleep.

He snorted and poked me in the ribs. I stifled a shriek and fisted my hands in his shirt.

“Hey, some of us are trying to sleep here,” Scarlet said irritably. “I almost died today, if you don’t remember.”

I giggled and put a hand over my mouth. Col was silently shaking with laughter. The situation wasn’t funny, but the tension had to be released somehow. It was laugh or cry, I thought.

“Sorry, Scarlet,” I said, stifling my laughter. “We’ll be quiet.”

Scarlet grumbled something and rolled over.

“Samara,” Col said after another moment, his voice turning low and serious. I pulled back to look him in the eye.

“Promise me something.”

My mouth went dry. “You’re making me nervous.”

“Just promise me.”

“Tell me what it is first.”

Col hissed. “For fuck’s sake, Samara. This is important.”

“That’s what makes me nervous. Tell me what it is, and then I’ll promise.”

Col pinned me with a glare and then sighed. “No matter what happens in the next few days, if I tell you to run, you run. No questions, no heroics or arguments. No sassy remarks. Just run.”

I swallowed. “That’s not a fair thing to ask of me.”

“It is fair.”

“How so?” My voice rose in pitch.

“Because I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you. I need to know that you’ll be safe, and the only way to ensure that is for you to run if I tell you to.”

“You can’t just tell me to run and leave you behind!”

“I’m not asking you to leave me behind,” Col said firmly. “I’m asking you to prioritize your own safety and get out of danger if I tell you to. I need to know that you’ll do that, Samara.”

I stared at him, feeling a knot form in my chest. “Did you ask Magnus and Killian the same question? Scarlet?”

Col’s expression softened. “If something happens, Samara, every one of us needs to be prepared to carry on our mission alone. Do you understand?”

“Of course I understand, I’m not twelve,” I hissed. “And I want to be involved. I’ve lost as much as any of you, remember?”

“Again, trying to sleep here!” Scarlet grumbled.

Col ignored her and kept his eyes locked on mine. “Promise me, Samara.”

I took a deep breath and nodded, but my chest tightened in fear. “I promise,” I whispered. “But only if you promise that you’ll come back to me. Col... I… I wanted to say…”

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