Page 70 of Ruling Destiny

“What?” He squints. “You don’t want me to point out how the dimple in your right cheek—”

“Is this really why you’re here?” I cut in. “To study my varied expressions?”

“Well, it’s definitely one of the reasons.” He gives a playful wiggle of his brow. “But you’re right. We shouldn’t flaunt this vibe that’s happening between us.”

It just never stops with this guy.

“You know, the vibe where you pretend not to notice how I’m like a thousand times more fun than your gloomy boy Braxton. And, I don’t want to brag, but there are those who might also point out that I’m actually better-looking as well. Though that bang in his nose does make for a certain bad-boy effect, and—”

“That’s it. I’m out.” I turn on my heel and start to walk away, only to have Killian call after me.

“Shiv—please,” he says, and even though I know better, something about the way he sayspleasehas me turning back toward him.

“Killian, what?” I say. “What do you want? Just spit it out already, and make it quick, because I am literally timing you and the clock is not in your favor.”

I watch as his face transforms from the arrogant tease I know him to be to this earnestly sincere new version I’m not sure is real. “I just wanted to say goodbye.” His voice is quiet, his gaze so heated, I go out of my way to avoid it.

“Are you going somewhere?” I try to keep my voice steady, as though I don’t really care either way.

Killian rakes a hand through his golden tumble of curls and shoots a look around the room. Returning to me, he says, “No. But you are. And though I know you don’t need my protection, I can’t help worrying about you, and…” His voice trails off, and I stare down at my shoes, pretty sure I know what comes next. “I just need to know you’re okay. Or at least in a good place—a good headspace.”

“Dr. Lucy gave me the all-clear,” I tell him, lifting my chin in a way that I hope makes me appear more confident than I currently feel.

“Well, that’s great.” He rubs his lips together, takes another swipe through his hair, confirming what I’ve already guessed—those two moves done in succession are Killian’s tell.

“But…” I say, sensing there’s more.

“Let’s not forget, Dr. Lucy is on Arthur’s payroll.”

“Meaning?”

“Look—I’m sure she knows her stuff, but I’m less interested in what she has to say and more interested in howyoufeel about going away.”

Again, with that burning gaze.

Again, I stare down at my shoes.

“So—you okay, Shiv? Are you ready to kick some Renaissance ass?”

“Actually—” I lift my gaze to meet his. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that.”

He takes a beat to consider. “Good,” he finally says. “A much better, healthier approach.”

I take a deep inhale, cast a glance across the room, only to see Braxton making his way toward us.

“Look—” I turn to Killian. “I appreciate your concern, but—” I give a subtle nod toward Braxton. “I think it’s best if you go.”

Killian shoots a look past my shoulder; then, grasping hold of my hand, he slips something small and cool into my palm. “Not a talisman,” he whispers. “You already have one. Consider this a reminder. A sort of good-luck charm, if you will.”

I sneak a glance over my shoulder, expecting to find Braxton looming behind, only to see Hawke has stepped in. And as the two of them get to talking, I straighten my fingers and take a quick peek.

It’s a small shiv, carved from black stone and made to resemble the one I used to defend myself back in that cell in Versailles. When my gaze meets Killian’s, those blue eyes of his are so unfathomably deep, I force myself to look away, unwilling to see the unspoken message he’s trying to send me.

“It’s made of onyx,” he says, his voice thick with some unnamed emotion. “A stone of protection and strength. It helps you to keep your own counsel and master your own destiny. It’s said it holds memories, too.”

I trace a finger over the lines that delineate the three separate pieces of metal used to craft the weapon. The level of detail that went into this is impressive.

“Did—did you make this?” I ask, my voice tight.

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