Page 68 of Bounty Hunter

Ikar looks at me intently, that guardedness fills his eyes again. “Yes, many times.”

“Did it turn out okay?”

“Most of the time, yes.” He speaks slowly now. “My current situation, I have yet to know.”

“What is your situation? I know you’re searching for a flower. Then what?”

“Then I have to find a person.” I can practically see his strong shoulders sag beneath the weight of it as the words leave his mouth.

He’s not being evasive at all, and he’s no longer smiling. It’s duty I see in the set of his face and shoulders. What does that mean? I’m not sure if I want to know more, but the decision is out of my hands when Ikar jumps into talking about maps and how many days we have left to get to Moneyre, where instead of him being dropped off with the officials, we will be searching for Darvy and Rhosse. My mind still spins thinking of how plans have changed. I can no longer claim Ikar asmy criminal. It’s almost become a term of endearment, and I snicker to myself, considering if I should continue to use it. But then I stop laughing as I realize I still don’t even know what Ikaris. I feel as if I know him so well when I hardly know him at all. And here I’ve contracted to work with him.

Not all mercenaries are criminals.Just most of them. Is that what he is? I’ve already decided he’s not one of the Tulipkillers, so while I worry for the safety of my sisters, I know no harm will come from him. What is he, then?

“What exactly is your profession if you’re not a Class A criminal?” I ask, almost afraid to hear the answer.

He considers for a long moment. “Are you sure you want me to tell you?” he asks with a questioning brow. “Because we can complete this mission without you ever knowing.”

He’s being quite serious, and now I’m even more scared. But what could be worse than a Class A criminal?

I nod.

“I’m a high-ranking officer in the High King’s army.”

I swallow tightly, trying to school my features. Worse. Definitely worse.

To be continued in The Black Tulip Chronicles Book Two: Queen of the Night

Coming in 2025

Continue reading for a sneak peek of the first chapter...

*Author reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the first chapter and title prior to publishing “Queen of the Night.”

Vera

I’ve heard Moneyre is a beautiful city—too bad it’s the home of the High King and I’ll be stuck there for the next two days.

I’ll admit it. I messed up.

I cringe thinking about attempting to explain my recent choices to Tatania, the leader of the Black Tulips, also known as the Queens of the Night. But if things go well from here on out I won’t have to. I still won’t need the dratted bracelet that costs an exorbitant amount of money to keep me anonymous, and no one will know that I took a very lucrative contract offered by a man that I was eighty-five percent sure wasn’t a criminal before I found out that he’s actually a high-ranking officer of the High King. While that would make most women feel safe, for me, I would have preferred he admitted he actuallywasthe Class A criminal I believed he was.

And see, this is where it gets tricky. I’ve been told, and I’ve spoken oaths with the Black Tulips, to never work for the High King, his officers, or anyone close to him because of the danger it presents to the Black Tulips who are still in hiding after beinghunted down and killed by the High King and his Originators over two hundred years ago. Now, we’re mostly forgotten, and we’d like to keep it that way. I’ve never heard anyone mention our name aside from stories people tell children to scare them. That is, until a little over a week ago when Ikar handed me a list of the Black Tulips with seven of our names on it, including mine. I promptly doused it in hot tea, and I hope it’s gone forever. He asked me about it once, but I expertly dodged his questions. I can only hope he doesn’t bring it up again.

We left Mama Tina’s two days ago and should reach Moneyre late tonight or early tomorrow. The shock of Ikar’s revelation has worn off a bit—numbed would be a better description. I was angry with him at first, but it only makes me look more suspicious, and I’ve already signed the contract. I decided two hours into my anger that it would be better for me to focus on being as normal as possible rather than throwing a fit about his status.

So, here we are. Friends again. Friends that shared a spectacular kiss the night before leaving Mama Tina’s and haven’t spoken of it once. I won’t be the one to bring it up now that I know for sure we can’t ever be together like that. The thought saddens me more than I care to admit. I’ve grown so fond of Ikar these past days that I can say for certain I’ve never felt anything stronger for another man, but I refuse to look closer on those feelings when they are forbidden. I must not be the only one who knows distance between us is necessary… Ikar has kept a polite and gentlemanly distance since that night. My cheeks flush at the thought, I hope he’s not regretful, at least.

I’m pulled from my thoughts when Ikar tugs the hood of his cloak over his head, draping his handsome features in shadows. Rupi peeks from within, huddled near his neck, and I purse my lips as she turns her head and one sassy black eye meets mine.She still favors him even after he admitted that he’s a high officer, and I can’t quite forgive her for that yet.

I watch him with a raised brow. “What are you doing?” We’re still at least three hours from the city, and we’ve passed maybe two other travelers.

“Attempting to enter the city without recognition,” he says as we begin walking again and he makes further, careful adjustments to his hood.

“For a supposed law-abiding citizen you’re acting blazing suspicious.” I lift a brow.

“I’d prefer to reach the castle without being stopped. I’m well known in this city, and the charm I used to hide my identity has likely worn off.”

Well known for magic-siphoning and other under-handed deals with the fae like he pretended at Mama Tina’s?Or a high officer like he said he was?

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