Chapter Fifteen
Nerves kept me staringat the door for far too long the following morning. My sleep had been restless as I tossed about, one minute wishing I wasn’t alone, the next wishing I’d told Sky no and gone right to my room.
Worried about how they were going to act, what they’d say, I almost went back to bed. Instead, I sucked it up and swept through the door with my head held high, refusing to show shame.
Besides, I could smell bacon.
When I emerged, the assassins glanced up at me and welcomed me with smiles. Smiles a little too innocent, but I preferred it to winks and nudges and knowing looks. I’d seen men act like that in taverns and it always pissed me right off.
Nice to know my kindreds were of a better breed.
I slid into the free seat between Saber and Whist. “Morning.”
A chorus of greetings came from the assassins.
Whist made me a plate and set it in front of me. “Eat.”
“Thanks. Looks great.” I avoided eye contact and fidgeted in my seat.
Saber’s hand brushed my back. “He’s really been upping his game since we brought you here.”
Nervous laughter bubbled up my throat. “Oh yeah? Trying to convince me to stick around?” I wouldn’t admit, it was working the slightest bit. Who knew I could be bought with hot baths and hot meals and hot men?
“Perhaps. Is it working, gorgeous?” Whist sat with his own plate of food.
I tried to play it off, focusing on my food instead of him. “Maybe a little. You still haven’t figured out my favorite though.”
Whist’s eyes gleamed with the challenge. “Care to make a wager?”
My fork paused halfway to my mouth. “What sort of wager?”
A wicked smile unfurled on his lips. “If I can figure it out and make it as good as you remember, you stay with us for at least three weeks.”
Sky laughed and rubbed his hands together.
“And if you don’t?” There was no way. Everyone who ever knew my favorite was dead, and I hadn’t eaten it since.
“What do you want?” Whist tilted his head as he studied me.
I opened my mouth to tell him to agree to let me go, but something inside me snapped it closed. “I’ll let you know once you fail.”
Whist grinned at me. “Deal.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I look forward to knocking that cocky smirk off your face.”
“We’ll see, gorgeous.”
I smiled and tucked into the food, confident he’d never guess treacle tarts. They were no longer a popular dessert. Hadn’t been for years since I was a child. I was also looking forward to all the yummy treats he’d be making to try to guess.
Whist was making up for years of borderline starvation.
Sky pushed his empty plate across the table. “Want another knife lesson after breakfast?”
Still sore from the day before, I took a moment to consider. I also wasn’t sure if I wanted to be in such proximity to him now that I knew what his hands could do to me. “I might need an hour to digest this, but sure.”
“Is she any good?” Whist asked.
Sky nodded. “She’s still rusty, but she’s a quick learner. And she’s damn handy with a knife. Worries too much about her hands though.”
I polished the last bit of eggs off my plate. “I’m sitting right here, jackasses. And I’m careful with my hands because I won’t be able to play if I damage them.”
Whist frowned in disapproval. “You won’t be able to play if someone slits your throat either. Broken hands heal.”
“I promise if someone actually attacks me I won’t hold back. But in training, I will not take the chance.”
Whist huffed, but didn’t argue farther.