Page 26 of Bloodguard

“Then tell me what you want,” I say with deadly calm.

She bites her bottom lip.

Does she want me to tear this place apart? “Just tell me.”

“I want the throne, Leith. Do this, and I’ll become queen.” Her bright eyes challenge me.

“You want revenge? You want to bring the arena down…bemyking.”

chapter 12

Maeve

The sun is barely peeking over the horizon as I pound on the cottage door the next day. “Leith, wake up. It’s Maeve.”

Wow. I can hear him growling from here. The door’s pretty thick, too. I’m rather impressed.

Leith knows who I am. About my fathers. Uncle Vitor imprisoning Papa. The murder of my grandmother, the true queen. The offer to free my father if I marry Soro.

I told him everything.

Iwas desperate. He was…disturbed.

But he needed to know who he was marrying, and smart man that he is, he recognized the unfathomable potential my offer may provide.

He hasn’t accepted it yet. Who can blame him? I’ve already lost one fiancé in as many days.

I try the door again, pounding harder. “Look, you said you could be called back at any time. Your muscles have healed, but the deeper wounds may need more medicine.”

Nothing. Well, nothing like words, anyway.

A thought occurs to me as I think back to how infected he was. Was he growling a minute ago, or was he dying? Oh, stars, did Ikillhim? “Shit. Are you dead?” I shout and pound some more.

“Not yet,” he answers from behind me.

I whip around, the small dagger I keep on my belt already in hand. How did he get out here so fast? He blinks at the point and not much else. I frown. Shouldn’t he at least take a step back? “What were you thinking? I could have slit your throat!”

“Yeah. Okay.” He scoffs, lifting his hand to the flat side of my knife and all too easily pushing it away. “You’re too close to the door, and your stance is off.”

“Yourstance is off,” I grumble. There’s that smirk—and there’s my heating face. Damn the effect he has on me. “I’ll have you know I was trained by the best.”

“Sure you were,” he mutters.

Leith steps backward, blinking at the sun as it rises, bright rays lightening his wet hair. He’s freshly bathed and evidently more awake than I am. He’s also wearing the new clothes I had Father take him after his match.

“What do you want?” he asks, leveling me with a dark scowl.

“Didn’t you hear me the first time?” I heave a dramatic sigh. “I want to see if you’re fit for battle… Otherwise, back in the tub you go.”

He shrugs and looks around. “I’ll take my chances. You mightsedateme again, and I’ll wake up married.”

“That’s not true. I need you awake to say ‘I do.’”

His eyes narrow, but he doesn’t leave.

“Come on,” I say, tucking my knife back into the scabbard in my belt. “Let’s make certain I didn’t miss something that could possibly cost you your next match.”

He raises a brow. “I think I’ll pass.”

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