15. Kiera

Chapter 15

Kiera

Fear almost swallowed my heart.

What had started as a ploy to claw more information from Aiden’s lips, to answer one of the many questions that had roiled in my mind since the conversation I’d overheard between Melaena and Garyth, became dangerous. Deadly.

Who speaks treason now? I would, if I must. To understand.

“The people would be more protected, would they not?” I asked.

But I had overplayed my hand, it seemed. Aiden slowly drew back, his gaze still never leaving mine, but the heat of it—a burn I felt on my very soul—was muted.

“I believe we have lost sight of the rules of our game,” he said coolly. “Shall we play again?”

I wanted to scream with frustration and wring the answers I so desperately sought out of that gods-damned tongue of his. That tongue that distracted me with words of wit and comfort and charm.

How I loathed it.

Patience.

But I couldn’t be patient for much longer. Time would run out quickly once I spoke to Renwell.

I nodded stiffly, and we played another game. Iris came by to fill our mugs once more, but we both asked for water instead. Cold, clear water to wash away the Sunshine.

There was no more teasing or banter. We played for victory. For a shield from the other’s questions.

Aiden won. Barely.

Unwilling to draw his attention back to my fingers, I tapped my nerves out on my thigh. “Well?” I asked, anticipating a heavy strike.

And he delivered. “Tell me what you know of Weylin and his children.”

My fingers tapped faster. “That’s not a question.”

He threw me a look that loudly protested my nitpicking. I threw him one back that stated he was the one worried about the rules.

“What do you know of Weylin and his children?” he growled. “What they’re like, their habits, friends, enemies.”

My fingers stilled. My stomach churned with dread. “Why do you want to know that?”

“Are you refusing to answer?”

I hesitated. If I refused to answer, as he had done several times, it would look like I had something to hide. While he didn’t seem to mind hiding things from me, I held the lower ground here. I needed him to trust me, to tell me his plans. To do that, I would have to give, give, give.

I could lie. But he’d already shown himself to be quite adept at knowing when I was.

Or he was testing me. Seeing if I really had worked in the palace and was matching my information to his, as he had done with Melaena.

“I guarded the princesses as I told you,” I said finally, feeling strange talking about my family—and myself—in such a way. “Emilia and Delysia. Sweet girls, if na?ve. I spent all my time around them. I only saw Weylin occasionally at dinners. Same for the crown prince.”

“Did you like Prince Everett?”

I frowned. “What is your interest in the prince?”

“I’m merely curious about the heir who never leaves the palace. Weylin has gone to great lengths to ensure his family has the only claim to the throne, so it makes me wonder why he hides the prince.”

My eyes narrowed. “He’s not hiding him. He’s protecting him. Especially after his mother—” I broke off, swallowing hard.

Aiden’s face darkened, and a thought struck me.

“You said you and Maz have been in Aquinon for years,” I breathed. “Did you know of Queen Brielle?”

“Yes, I’d heard of her kindness,” he said stiffly, his gaze dropping to where his long, callused fingers tightened around his mug. “The death of another innocent Weylin and Renwell should’ve protected is always tragic.”

I gulped more water to soothe my aching throat, trying to read the contempt that pulsed in every muscle of Aiden’s face. “Did you see anything that night? Hear anything?”

One pounding heartbeat. Two. Then three, and he finally looked up at me as if coming out of a daze. “Maz and I were working elsewhere that night. Ruru told us about it in the morning.”

“What did he say?” I asked desperately. Almost too desperately.

Renwell had told me what he’d seen, but perhaps Ruru had gleaned something more. My mentor would despise me asking, wouldn’t want me to risk exposing my personal stake in the matter. But he wasn’t here.

Aiden’s mouth twisted to the side, as if he were trying to remember. “He saw the burning building near the Temple. He couldn’t get too close because of the many Wolves, but he watched them carry the queen’s body out of one of the rooms.”

Tears pricked my eyes, and I had to stare down at the cluttered tiles. Renwell had told us the assassin killed my mother and somehow burnt a hole in the roof to climb out and escape when the Wolves surrounded the building. I’d wanted to see for myself where she was murdered, but Renwell said the building was destroyed. That there was nothing left.

“Is it gone now?” I asked, not daring to meet his eyes yet. “The building?”

“Yes. The fire consumed it, and the rubble was cleared out. Thank the gods it was an old, abandoned building, so no one else died.”

Then Renwell had told the truth. Even if I went looking, I would find nothing new. I would never know who killed her or why.

A familiar frustration coupled with helplessness roared to life like a ravenous beast. It had nearly devoured me many times, but Renwell had encouraged me to keep training, to keep fighting, to keep honing myself into a weapon that could defend my family. Which usually kept the beast quiet, but never satisfied.

Aiden cleared his throat, bringing my gaze back to him. “You haven’t answered the rest of my question.”

“Your question was layered with many others. That is not a fair question.”

“Yet I have also answered many of yours that weren’t part of our wager.”

The questions about my mother. Anger dug its claws into my gut. Those answers had cost him nothing and hadn’t given me any new information.

What I had learned was of his hatred for Weylin and Renwell, of his disgust over the sunstone mine that he clearly knew much more about than I did. Which only sparked more questions like, why hadn’t my father continued the same treatment of the miners as the Falcryns had before him? It seemed a prudent way to avoid another uprising.

Aiden also didn’t want to speak of the People’s Council. It sounded as though he didn’t want to repeat the Pravaran rebellion, which was good news, butit made me wonder all the more what he was really after.

In return for these paltry details, he wanted information on my family like they were nothing but tiles in our game. Things he could use or discard. And I had to play along.

I would make a poor High Enforcer if I couldn’t even stomach this task.

“The royals eat, sleep, and shit like everyone else, except they do it in a palace,” I spat out. “The prince and princesses are kind but have few friends and innumerable, unknowable enemies because of who their father is. Weylin is quick to punish and never forgives. Why else do you think I’m here?”

Aiden was staring at my fingers again. Fingers I hadn’t realized I was drumming against the table to the frantic pace of my heart. I crushed them into a fist.

When he looked up at me, his green eyes flickered with sympathy. “You must have cared for him a great deal.”

Him... Julian. His memory would never stop haunting me either, it seemed. “I do,” I said tightly. “I did.” But I cared more for who I’d left behind in that palace.

“Let us call a ceasefire on Death and Four.” Aiden jabbed his thumb at the knife target. “How about a different game instead?”

Savage relief flooded my veins. “Yes.”

Aiden swept the tiles back into the bag while I rose from the table.

A heavy hand clamped on my shoulder. Without thinking, I threw my elbow backward into a taut stomach, eliciting an “oof!” Then I wrenched the thick wrist away from me.

“Whoa, easy there, lovely,” a familiar, deep voice rumbled over my head.

I released Maz and turned to see his blue eyes wide with surprise.

He backed up a step. “Forgive me, I should’ve announced myself.” He grinned. “That was a gods-damned quick response, though. Fierce little warrior. My sisters would love you.”

I caught my breath, willing the fight to recede from my quivering muscles. The tavern, which had gone silent at our quick scuffle, resumed its hum of activity. A few women at the bar smiled at me appreciatively before turning those smiles on Maz.

“You have sisters?” I forced out. “How many?”

“Three. All younger, but any one of them could take me in a fight.”

I managed a weak chuckle. “I suppose that’s the best compliment you could give them.”

“Of course.” Maz drew up to his full height and puffed out his chest, winking at the women by the bar.

I rolled my eyes. “Does nothing damage your ego?”

“I wouldn’t know. Haven’t found anything strong enough yet.”

I laughed along with him, finally relaxing. Maz had that strange, elusive power few did to make a friend of anyone. Even people like me and Aiden, who usually preferred to be left alone with our secrets.

But that didn’t mean we didn’t want to be found occasionally. And Maz seemed to like finding us.

“You already ate?” Maz asked, staring at the remnants of our meal, crestfallen.

I nodded.

“We were about to throw knives,” said Aiden’s voice behind me. “Grab your food and drink and join us.”

I twisted my head to see Aiden giving Maz one of those significant looks. About me? About something else?

Then his gaze dipped down to me, and for a moment, nothing else existed. His black hair fell nearly to his beautiful green eyes, their contrast stark and mysterious. The shadow of his stubble merely enhanced his bronze cheekbones and embraced his lips like a gift.

He was the most attractive man I’d ever seen. Even with the threat he posed. Even when I was furious with him for the position he put me in.

He’d called me beautiful twice now. But he was only charming when he wanted something. I couldn’t trust his little sympathies or his warm smiles. And I certainly couldn’t trust the way he was looking at me now, as if I, too, were the only person in the room.

“After you,” he said, tipping his head.

I pursed my lips and made my way to the target. The two men throwing were getting increasingly sloppy as their empty mugs piled higher. They didn’t deserve those knives. I did. I needed them.

The men’s bloodshot eyes looked me up and down and dismissed me.

I stepped closer. “Best of three. Winner names their price.”

The bigger one guffawed, his knife hitting well outside the bullseye. He wore leather boots and a wide-brimmed hat, both caked with dust. He smelled of livestock and cheap beer. A cattle driver from the province of Winspere. Likely spent a lot of time in the saddle, playing with his knives.

I’d played many a friendly game with others from that rough, wind-swept province, but these two had a nasty look about them. Which would make this all the more satisfying.

The second man wore similarly stained clothes, but his sneer, like his nose, was sharper. “You don’t even have knives, girl.”

I shrugged. “I’ll borrow yours. Advantage to you.”

Beak Nose spat on the floor. “What do we win?”

His friend elbowed him in the side. “She said whatever we want. I know exactly what I’ll be takin’ as my prize.” He licked his lips as his beady eyes crawled over my body.

A wall of warmth crowded my back. “Not if I take your life first.”

Aiden’s growled threat stripped me of my contempt, leaving me cold with shock.

The men’s faces paled. Him they believed. Him they feared.

I spun to face Aiden, finding his exposed collarbone inches from my mouth. His bristled chin scraped my forehead.

I jerked backward. “Leave this to me,” I hissed.

He looked down at me, rage swirling like storm clouds in his eyes. “Beat them, or I will.”

I didn’t need his rage. Only mine. These men were never going to claim any prize from me. They were simply a means to an end. Arrogance and lust only made them more stupid.

And Holy Four, did I want this win more than ever now. I’d lost control back at that table. I’d shown vulnerability. I’d gotten distracted.

But here, with knives in my hand, I would feel right again.

I pointed at Beak Nose. “Give me your knives. I’m playing your friend first.”

He started to sneer again, but then glanced at Aiden towering behind me and handed them over. Something quieted in me as I held them.

Five simple steel knives with wooden hilts that had been handled to a shine. Nothing so nice as Aiden’s or my old ones. But they would do.

I’d played around with any knife I could get a hold of as a child. Earned myself plenty of scars in those early years. But I’d gotten very good. And Renwell had made sure I was even better.

Beady Eyes ripped his knives out of the target and backed out of the way. “The lady may go first,” he said in a mockingly subservient tone.

I lined up with the target, drew back my arm, and threw. Third ring.

A muffled groan came from Aiden, who leaned against a high table, effectively caging in our little group.

Beady Eyes and Beak Nose cheered and slapped hands with each other.

I suppressed my own smile and threw four more times, hitting the third and second rings twice each. Aiden grew quieter with each one while my other two targets grew louder.

Maz showed up on my last throw with a hunk of meat in one hand and a full mug in the other. His brows scrunched together. “What’s happening?”

Aiden gave him a low, rapid explanation as Maz’s face took on the same stormy look. I ignored them both.

Beady Eyes had better throws than mine and practically fell over with giddiness, jumping around like a buffoon.

This time, I did smile, holding up my bouquet of knives. “Yes, you win that round. Now, you throw first.”

He did, a few of his knives going very wide in his elation, but he just waved his filthy hand. “Psh, won’t matter, won’t matter. She’s got nothin’.” He leered at me, leaning close enough to show me his brown teeth.

I slipped one of my knife tips under his weak chin. “Stand clear, or you’ll lose every piece of flesh I can reach.”

He scoffed but took a begrudging step back. I had no idea if I’d ever make good on such a threat, but sometimes threats were enough. Even if they were lies.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Aiden and Maz looking murderous.

I threw my knives, calculating just enough for a win. But now, Beady Eyes was serious. His so-called prize was in jeopardy. He couldn’t lose in front of all these men—and a few women who had crowded closer.

Maybe now there would actually be some sport to it.

I gestured for him to lead again, and he did. Hit the bullseye once with four hits to the second ring.

A few of the men, including Beak Nose, cheered and clapped him on the back. He grinned, all doubt gone.

I grinned back and threw one knife. Then the next. And the next until I’d flung all five. All while beaming into his slack-jawed face.

A loud cheer rose around me. Each of my five knives quivered in the bullseye, nearly obscuring it. Maz pushed Aiden aside to wrap me in a huge hug and bounce me up and down. I laughed as other hands reached forward to pat me on the back and voices called out praise.

But I sought Aiden’s gaze.

His smile was quieter than the others, more reserved, but his eyes glowed with admiration. Somehow, I knew that he’d guessed my game and stayed silent while I hustled the cursing oaf behind me.

I pried the knives out of the target and waved them at Beady Eyes. “These are my prize.”

He clenched his fists. “You cheated.”

“No. I simply have more skill than you.”

He growled, stalking toward me, but stopped abruptly when two pillars of muscle flanked me.

“Careful, cow herder,” Maz warned.

“Touch her,” Aiden growled, “and we’ll strap you to the target where she’ll show you just how much skill she has.”

I blinked at such rage, such violence, on my behalf. Only Renwell had ever been so protective of me. But it felt different coming from two men who knew me so little. The sensation was uncomfortable, yet not altogether unpleasant.

Beak Nose tugged on his friend’s arm. “Let the girl have my cheap old knives. Come on, there’s more sport to be had at The Broken Coin .” With one last nasty look over his shoulder, Beady Eyes allowed himself to be dragged from the tavern.

Another round of cheers went up, and Iris filled everyone’s cups.

More contenders offered to play me, and before another hour had passed, I had a small purse of coins, a few free drinks, and a jaunty, feathered cap from a fletcher who nearly beat me. Maz kept stealing the hat from me and belting out drinking songs with the ridiculous peacock feathers bobbing in his face.

Flushed with success and Sunshine, I pressed a few coins into Iris’s palm. She tried to wave me off, saying Aiden had paid her already, but I insisted. I hadn’t realized how good it would feel to pay for something.

As others competed against each at throwing, I settled onto a high stool next to Aiden, who hadn’t thrown once. He nursed a single mug of mead as if he couldn’t have another.

I brushed my sweaty hair off my forehead and smiled at him, jingling my purse. “Care to challenge me as well?”

“Maybe some other time. I would like to offer you a job instead.”

My eyebrows arched. “You’ll let me work with Ruru?”

He nodded slowly, as if still coming to terms with his decision. “I have a job I could use some help with, but in the meantime, I’m sure Ruru won’t mind sharing the work he picks up around the city as a courier. He’ll show you the ropes, and the two of you can work side by side until you’re ready to be on your own.”

I flipped one of my newly won knives over and over. “You realize you’ll have to tell me what your business is.”

“I work in shipping. I send and receive cargo, which is then distributed to its buyers.”

Shipping . I blinked at how easily he divulged his work. But shipping made sense. He had a warehouse full of crates. He’d mentioned “his” captain. Skeevy or Skully or something. People seemed to come to him for things.

But it seemed so... ordinary for a man who’d snuck into the Den and killed Shadow-Wolves.

“Do you ship things for Melaena?” I asked, piecing together more information.

“Yes, she’s my main business associate. A lot of what is in the warehouse is hers.”

“Does that mean I get to visit it without a blindfold this time?” I teased him.

But his expression hardened. “Let me be clear, little thief. I’m offering you this job because you’ve shown you’re capable. And you were right. I don’t want to always assign a guard to you to ensure that you are behaving yourself. You may help Ruru with his work, but you are not privy to all parts of my business. If I feel that you have endangered my operation or my people in any way, I will have Skelly drop you on the farthest island in Eloren with only snakes and rats for company.”

“Death, then,” I said flatly, clutching my knives.

“A chance to survive.” His words echoed my earlier ones.

Without warning, he stole one of my knives and whipped it between the two men currently throwing. It slammed into the bullseye dead-center.

Everyone turned to stare. Maz chuckled and shook his head, the peacock feather drooping into his cup.

“Don’t try to hustle me, Kiera,” Aiden said, his mouth set in a grim line. “You’ll regret it.”

Not as much as he was going to regret ever meeting me.