Page 26 of Null & Void

I politely decline the need for any help, thanking him, and pick up my heavy load to rest on my shoulder.I spare one last look at the stupid Erdu drunks, most of whom are grinning at me.

“You know, if I really was the Silent Assassin, it’s pretty bold of you to be making yourselves such obvious next targets,” I say sweetly. The men look slightly stricken, one swallowing visibly. Except the man with the duck laugh, who lets a smile of triumph spread across his face.

I’m boiling with barely checked rage. I should have realized Riley was the Prince Ofnemoris. It means that he’s also the kidnapped princess’twin, although they did not grow up together because of her status as a Patron of the Divine. The seething snake of anger in my veins becomes even more dangerous.

I’ve almost made it back to camp, making the short trip in no time because my brain is entirely spinning with thoughts:has the princess even been kidnapped?Is this all a fucking lie?

Riley and Tovi are lounging by the fire, and a small spark inside me is grateful that I haven’t walked in on something awkward. I dump the package with a loud thud to grab Riley’s attention. I get a surprised look from Tovi, who looks around as if to wonder where I materialized from. Riley raises an eyebrow in my direction.

“You’re the fuckingprince,Riley?” My voice is loud but higher pitched than I wanted. “Are you selling me to the King Oferdu? Is yourtwin sistereven in any danger?” I emphasize the words twin sister with as much venom as I can.

Tovi immediately stands up making a stuttered sound, gesturing toward the tavern, and makes a hasty exit. Leaving me alone withhim. Riley also stands, though with significantly less urgency.

“Is this all a joke to you?” I step so close to Riley that he has to tilt his head down to make eye contact with me. He looks amused; the heat rising from my chest to my face like a flame about to engulf the entire match.

He hasn’t said a word. I shove him in the chest with both hands. The fucker barely moves—it’s like trying to shove a tree.

“You done?” he says with a slight chuckle.

“No, I’m not fuckingdone,answer my questions!”

“You’re not making sense!”

My blood boils. He seems to be having a grand old time and is not taking me seriously one bit.

“Are you, or are you not, the Prince Ofnemoris?” I grate out.

“I am.”

I don’t care about the rest of my questions right now because I need to unleash the beast raging in my chest.I swing. He leans back and ducks forward, and to my utter embarrassment, picks me up and throws me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Put me down, you stupid red fuck!” I bark, too busy being indignant that I’m dangling over his back to produce a better insult.

He slaps my ass like I’m a naughty child and shushes me.He fucking shushed me.And spanked me.

I don’t want to use weapons, so I try to punch him in the kidneys a few times—again, not even a flinch! I know realistically, if I really wanted to, I could get down. I just don’t know how to do that without bloodshed, and I’m not entirely sure I want that. Yet.

“Where are we going?” I demand angrily before I am plopped unceremoniously onto the ground. I look around and realize he’s taken us deeper into the forest. We can still see the camp, but we can’t be seen by anyone else.

“Oh, is this where I get on my knees for you, Your Majesty? Or is this where you show me how much of a tough guy you are? Don’t like being called out on your lies?”

“We haven’t lied to you. What the fuck happened tonight?”

“You’re telling me the queen sent herdrunk sonand a merry band of Gifted fucks to save her daughter from a king, who no one else has any idea is even missing?”

“Yes, Mika. That’s exactly what we told you—and the council, might I remind you—because that’s exactly what is happening,” Riley says, exasperated. After a slight pause, he tilts his head. “Gifted fucks?”

The way he looks at me when he says that weakens my resolve a tiny bit. He looks genuinely disappointed that I would think his friends—wait, no—hissubjects,are anything but fine people.

Well, they are fine people, but I’m trying to get a rise out of him.

I shove him again, but he is still an immovable wall of muscle. He’s far too close to me while I’m backed against a massive tree, and his breath is hot, even in the warm air. It doesn’t smell like alcohol, which surprises me since we’re near a tavern. “Why aren’t you drunk?”

I might have given him whiplash with the subject change. He grabs his face and rubs hard upward until his hands are gripping his hair in handfuls.

“Because I haven’t had anything to drink tonight.” My momentary shock is flattened when he follows with, “Areyoudrunk?”

He’s still far too close to me. The heat is radiating off his body.My anger is dissipating slowly. A small—and I mean, tiny—part of me, wants to lean into that heat and put my hands on his hard chest.

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