Page 110 of Bound By Darkness

“But she needs to know what you’ve done. You’ve given up your entire life for her and a few supplies.” Ivan turned to Fin. “Tell her she’s made a mistake.”

“Does he speak the truth?” Fin asked, his eyes glaring at me in the afternoon faelight.

A groan left my lips. “Yes, and I’m done arguing about it. Take me to a tent.”

Ivan clenched his jaw shut. “Fine, but this isn’t over.”

Without another word, Fin and Ivan helped guide me toward the tents.

I needed time to process what I’d done—what I’d given away for the friends I was beginning to trust in.

Chapter 32

Ruby

MORIA

“Achoo.”My sneeze echoed against the slick, rain-stricken tiles as Naexi punched my arm.

“Quiet,” she hissed, her head barely lifting from the rooftop. She peered at the tavern, her hair neatly braided and pinned to her head.

Rubbing at my nose, my teeth clattered in the wet air. Winter was settling in fast, my fingers pink from the cold as they gripped the ledge. Angling myself against the tiles, I watched the tavern doors swing wide as patrons shuffled in and out. As I had done for the past three hours.

“Naexi, are we done? My fingers are frozen to the ledge.” Indeed, my fingers were curled against it, my joints refusing to listen as it took every ounce of effort to peel my fingers away.

“I offered gloves.” Her eyes flicked to me. “We aren’t leaving this post until we are certain who our target is.”

“We’ve done this every day for the past few weeks!” I hissed. The bitter cold was endless and hunger shook my bones.

“Did you believe it was going to be easy? We’d find the rebels immediately?”

“I figured we would have found some clue.”

Naexi turned, her cheeks flushed. Even the ice cracked from the cold look in her eyes. “You’re exactly who I imagined you’d be.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“A spoiled High Fae. I guess those years in the prison weren’t enough time to slap the privilege from you.”

A frigid wind shifted my hair as it seeped its fingers into my heart at her words. I turned forward, my eyes glued to the doorway as I bit my lip to keep myself quiet.

It didn’t matter what I said. She’d always have this opinion of me.

Silence grew between us, the rift ever increasing as it claimed any sentiment we’d shared. We would never get along so long as royal blood flowed through my veins because, to a Fae, I’d always be a demon.

Naexi’s ears perked as a nimble finger pointed to the shadows. “There.”

A young woman stepped out from the alleyway. Her raven hair was neatly braided back, showing off her slender neck. Her other hand discreetly stuffed a piece of paper into the thin flap of her oversized coat. Her lips were ruby, as customary of most courtesans. Merely eighteen and already cast into a world of darkness. Fear shone in her brown eyes as she scanned the area poorly.

She didn’t find the two assassins lying in wait.

“Let’s go,” Naexi said as she slid from the roof, her metallic boots scraping against ceramic tile.

“Wait,” I said, my fingers stiff as I lowered myself. “She’s a courtesan who was ordered to deliver the plans. She doesn’t know what she’s holding.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Naexi flung her body over the edge as she wedged herself between the wall and trellis, her feet using the gaps as footholds. “One life does not matter in war.”

“But she’s innocent.” I flung myself over with half the grace of Naexi, my body still recovering from years of physical torment.

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