Page 32 of Bloodguard

His eyes gleam with malice as he takes another sip of wine. “Our nation’s soul.”

chapter 14

Leith

I dreamed of my sister Dahlia last night. How she held my hand in the darkness when she struggled to sleep. She’d squeeze tight through the worst of her hunger pangs, her small hand slipping from mine when she finally drifted off.

It was good to see my little shadow, even in a dream. But when I awoke, somehow all I could think of was Maeve.

She must have doused me with some kind of delirium potion as she treated my injuries. It’s the only explanation for why I’m so recklessly drawn to a royal. Why I agreed to fucking marry one. Oh man, if Sullivan could see me now.

Even now, that feeling of wanting her close remains. She claims this is a business venture, but I saw the way she looked at me…

I grit my jaw and remind myself what’s kept me alive these last three years. No matter what heat I see in her gaze, she’s right. We should keep our distance.

This is just business.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Leith.

I shrug on my training gear as I stare out the small cottage window. She said she would return to check on me today, but it’s not her lithe body I spy gliding toward the door.

I reach for a knife Maeve left on the table just as there’s a knock. I swing the wooden door wide and find another woman with liquid-honey hair and matching eyes blinking up at me. I don’t recognize her, though there’s something familiar in her features. She can’t be more than five feet and change, and a quick scan reveals no bulges in her clothing where a wand or weapon might reside. Still, I don’t want the company.

“What?” I ask, my voice as unfriendly as my tightening features.

She doesn’t say anything, just tugs her cape closed around her body—she looks no more than eighteen or nineteen—her gaze fixed on the kitchen knife in my hand.

I toss the blade onto the table with a clatter, then reach up to lean my tall frame against the door, blocking her entrance.

“What do you want?” I ask, my voice still gravelly.

“Um.” She takes me in from head to toe before blurting, “You’re big.”

I sigh. “You must be related to Maeve.”

She cocks her head. “How did you know?”

“She also loves stating the obvious,” I deadpan. “Now, what do you want?”

She holds my gaze, a smile beginning to curl the corners of her mouth. “I thought today would be a splendid day to meet my future brother-in-law.”

And on that note, I take a step back and move to close the door.

She chuckles and rushes on. “Wait, wait. I’m Maeve’s stepsister, Giselle, and she asked me to give you this.”

I glance down at her small, outstretched hand. An even smaller box with a note attached rests in her palm. I don’t reach for either.

She shakes her head, patience apparently running thin, and tosses it to me. My traitorous reflexes kick in, snatching the parcel that I unequivocally do not want right out of the air. “I also have places to be,” she says with one eyebrow cocked before turning with a wave. “See you later, Leith.”

And just like that, the girl heads back down the path that cuts through the forest and to the manor. She fucking tricked me.

I stare at the gift in my palm like it might bite. Knowing Maeve, it probably willat leaststing a little. I reach for the note first.

Dear Leith,

This tonic should ease your aches while you recover more today. I’m off to see how I can be of service.

Be safe,

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