Page 31 of Of Daggers and Deceit

My mood lifted higher within his company, his response causing my lips to tip up.

He held out his arm towards me, encouraging me to take it, and I gladly met him, wrapping my fingers tightly around his forearm, inhaling that salty ocean scent of his deep into my lungs.

“Wouldn’t you like to see what I can offer you?” he murmured, the tone honeyed and deep. It didn’t take an idiot to understand its duplicitous meaning, more so when he quirked that thick black brow at me in invitation.

I turned to him, surprised that he had the confidence to speak to me so casually with no care for consequence.

He winked at me, fully aware of his words and tone. Shockingly, a flare of something pulsed inside me in response to him. Perhaps, given the night, I could acknowledge I enjoyed his obvious want, and more than that, I could acknowledge that a rebellious part I’d locked away selfishly wanted more of it. He was the only other male outside of Zander who had ever dared to show me any sort of interest since I rose in the ranks.

But what did I know of this Omega who knew so much of me?

I was aware Sly had been within the guard for a year now, having risen through the ranks quickly based on his skill and leadership qualities alone. I also knew that over the past year, Zander had put him through his paces to prove himself in many ways and, most importantly, to gain his trust.

But the past two nights were the only times I had ever been alone with him. Usually, I was in the apartment when Zander left. I had never bothered to interact with the guards, and they had never truly bothered with me, likely out of fear. Except for this male beside me.

Because of his guilt.

Even though it could never venture further than this, I couldn’t squash the excitement growing inside me at the attention he gave me. It didn’t hurt that he was incredibly attractive, perhaps comparable to Zander in my eyes, though he possessed a lightness that didn’t always come so naturally to the Omega I lived with.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed that Sly had already moved us through half the garden until he lightly squeezed my hand and dropped my arm. Insects chirped loudly in the background as the aroma and colours of thousands of roses flooded my senses. I breathed in through my nose deeply, relishing the floral scent. Even if this was all I got to experience for tonight, it was worth it. Zander wasn’t breathing down my neck, and I could just be.

Sly walked on ahead, glancing back once, flicking his head forward down a path I had not yet followed.

Wordlessly, I trailed along behind him, keeping my steps light on the cobblestone path. The entire atmosphere of the garden was ambient and serene, with the low glow of strategically placed lamps to illuminate the paths between rose plants and hedges. It was both grand and grounding.

I could get lost in a place like this.

I turned the last corner and stepped into the most beautiful white wooden alcove with trailing rose vines and a large pond next to a light stone bench.

I could give credit to Zander for his eye for detail and his skills in designing beautiful places and things that could embody an experience.

Here, I felt peace and maybe a little more hope.

I walked forward and sat next to Sly with a sigh of bliss.

“This is wonderful,” I expressed, clasping my hands in my lap. There was nothing truer in this world right now.

“It is,” he acknowledged, his expression thoughtful.

“But it is not what I am offering you.”

I hardened my features to mask my disappointment. Shadows cast across his face harshly, highlighting a more sinister expression.

My body flushed cold as I fought to repress my confusion despite the heat of the air licking at my skin. My heartbeat thundered in my head, almost echoing the frantic energy now pulsing through me. Everyone is cunning, Riley. They will always want to either be you or take from you. Zander’s words of warning repeated in my mind from the day before he had asked me to be his partner.

I’d get in trouble for being here, but I would scream if he dared to do something I didn’t like.

“Relax, Riley,” he whispered with a soothing lilt to his voice. He reached his hand across to touch my leg, and my instincts kicked in reflexively.

I snatched his hand in the air, crushing his fingers within my own.

“Do not touch me,” I commanded, squeezing his fingers tighter.

His eyes widened, a hiss of pain escaping him.

“Wait, no. You don’t understand. I want to offer you a chance to leave tonight. Or at least, I did, until you crushed my fucking hand.”

I released my grip and jolted away from him in distress. No. No. No. I’d failed already.

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