Chapter Sixteen
The bloody assassinshad me so completely turned on and trembly by dinnertime, I could barely eat. Even then, they wouldn’t cut me a break, their legs sliding against mine, their eyes on fire with desire scorched me as they roamed up and down my body. The whispered words passed back and forth between Saber and Sky reminded me of them tangled together in a dance.
The day was spent much like the one before — gardening with Whist, training with Sky, a bath prepared for me by Saber and afterward a long conversation about music and art. The man had deep layers I kept peeling away and discovering something new. It was like they were trying to get to know me and for me to know them. And their seemingly innocent touches had me doused in flames.
“I want to head out tomorrow and see what’s going on.” Whist’s words doused the fire.
Sky and Saber didn’t appear the slightest bit surprised.
My fork clattered against my plate. “What’s going on with what?”
Whist gestured at me with his cup of wine. “With you. With us. I want to know how serious they are about tracking us down, or if they’re satisfied as long as you aren’t performing and they think we’ve shut you up.”
“How are you planning to determine that? Capture a guard and interrogate them?”
Whist shook his head with a snort. “Nothing so sinister. I’m going to go to the nearest town and listen. See what gossip people are spreading and see how big the show of force is. If they’re still determined to find us, they’ll be in the towns closest to the village we rescued you from.”
I scowled. “You didn’t rescue me. I decided to go along with you after I escaped on my own.”
“Whatever you say, gorgeous.” A small smile played on his lips.
“And I’m going with you.” I needed to get out of this house and clear my head. Even if I still had to be around one of them. Playing house was muddling my thoughts and making it impossible for me to make a rational decision.
Whist slammed his cup onto the table. “Absolutely not.”
Saber and Sky were quick to add their disagreement.
I met Whist’s angry gaze with a stubborn jaw. “Yes. I am.”
“Why? We can’t afford for you to perform right now. It’s too risky. For all of us, not just you.”
“It’s perfect. I can draw them out.” I sipped my brandy calmly, hiding my desperation.
“I don’t need you to draw them out. We don’t want to poke the bear. The goal is for them to back off and leave us alone. If you throw yourself in the king’s face after stealing away his three best assassins, he’ll come after you with everything he has. The king is a bit bored. He’s already begun passing stupid laws to try to rustle up drama. The last thing we want is for you to become his new project.” Whist shoved back from the table and ran fingers through his red hair.
I had to convince him. He said they wouldn’t take away my choices or stop me from playing. He had to understand he wasn’t my commanding officer. He didn’t get to tell me what to do. “What if I only perform popular songs? At least then we’ll know if he has the guard pulling in all the traveling bards or they know what I look like. Which would be worrisome because I change my appearance pretty regularly.”
“That wasn’t in your file.” Saber sounded almost offended.
I snorted. “Based on what you seemed to know about me, my file was pretty thin.”
Saber still seemed annoyed. “True.”
Why was he so bothered? It was a good thing the king and the guard and the other assassins knew so little about me.
Sky tapped his lips with his finger. “It might not be the worst idea. We can protect her and we do need to know as much as possible. We’re blind out here.”
Whist shook his head. “It’s too dangerous for all of us to go. They’re looking for her and three men.”
Sky drained his drink and set it on the table. “Then Saber and I stay here and if you two aren’t back by nightfall, we’ll set out to your rescue.”
Whist growled and gripped the back of his vacant chair. “I do not like this plan. It’s foolhardy and dangerous.”
“Too bad.” I shrugged and shot him a challenging look.
Whist glared at me, his knuckles whitening. “I have conditions or I’ll tie your pretty ass up and leave you here.”
Of course he did. Blasted man couldn’t stand not being in control. “What are they?”
“You will not perform if it’s obvious guards are everywhere searching for us.”
Fair enough. I didn’t actually want to be arrested and then executed. “Fine.”
“I’m not done. You will also do whatever I tell you when I tell you. I’m not just trying to keep you safe, it’s for the rest of us as well.” His gaze softened the slightest bit, giving me a peek at the pleading lurking in his eyes.
In the moment, I completely understood him. He wanted to give me what I wanted, but it warred with his desire to keep me and the others safe. He was honoring his words to me, but it was going against every instinct he had.
Damn, he was a man I could easily love. Even without the bond.
“All right.” I peeled my eyes away from him and watched the brandy swirl in my glass.
“No political songs, no matter how much you’re tempted. I admit I am curious if the king has ordered all the bards to be brought to him. I want to know how much he wants you. If there’s already a performer in the town we go to, we just watch. And last, we both are going disguised and keep your ukulele hidden in your pack.” Whist wasn’t asking me for anything I wasn’t willing to give. He was more than meeting me halfway.
“Agreed.” I tried not to smile, not wanting him to think I was gloating. It was hard when I noticed Sky and Saber’s wide-eyed surprise.
Whist stepped forward until he loomed above me. “I mean it, gorgeous. You must obey me every step of the way.” Something in his eyes made me think he wasn’t just talking about our little trip. Something that made my insides tremble with excitement.