Page 113 of A Dagger in the Ivy

“It’s not safe. If someone were to question you…” My heart cinches at the thought of the king’s guards torturing her for information and then claiming us both traitors. “Please, you need to trust me.”

She blinks in evident confusion. “Okay.”

“I promise you when the time is safe, I will tell you everything. But right now, we have to be careful.Youhave to be careful.”

She nods, but her expression is still clouded with confusion.

I stand and start to remove clothes from my dresser.

“Where are you going?” She gets to her feet, wringing her hands.

“It’s probably better if you don’t know.” I pull on a pair of trousers,then tear off my nightdress. “But I need you to cover for me.”

“Of course. How long will you be gone?”

“I can’t be gone too long, or there will be trouble.” I pull a blouse over my chemise.

“I’ll sleep in your bed until you return. If they check, they’ll think I’m you.” She makes sense. She’s almost never in her own room, so her empty bed wouldn’t alarm anyone. And it probably wouldn’t occur to anyone that she’d be in mine.

“Nadya,” I begin, my voice trembling with urgency as I pull away slightly to meet her gaze, “I need you to promise me something.”

Her brow furrows in concern, her eyes searching mine for answers. “Of course, Celeste. Anything.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I’m about to say. “If I’m delayed getting back and you have to leave my room, please be careful. You can’t trust Torbin. He’s not who he seems to be. Please, promise me you’ll be careful around him.”

Nadya’s expression darkens, a flicker of unease crossing her features. “What do you mean?”

“He’s dangerous. Remember, he killed Lord Alistair.”

She swallows hard. “I thought he said that was an accident.”

I hesitate, grappling with the guilt of leaving her behind. “I can’t explain it all now. But just… keep your distance from him, okay? For your own safety.”

“I’m tougher than I look, you know?”

“Nadya, please! Promise me.”

She nods solemnly, her eyes reflecting the seriousness of my warning. “I promise.”

CHapter

Forty-Two

When I arrive at Dante’s manor, the anger coursing through me has frazzled every one of my nerves. Not to mention the anxiety that rattled me when I snuck through the secret passages to get to the stables. I had to creep through the forest behind the stables, silently walking Thora through the trees, to escape the castle grounds without anyone seeing me.

But I had to come here. Though Dante and I may have started off as rivals, he’s the one I seek out now. He’s the one my heart yearns to see. I can’t explain it, but a fierce fire burns in my veins, and it calls out for Dante.

I throw the door open without knocking. “Dante?”

He’s not in the living room or kitchen. For a moment, I panic, thinking he’s not here and I won’t know where to find him, but then a shuffling sounds behind me.

Dante sets aside the firewood he carries in. “Celeste? What are you…? The king could have your head for leaving the castle.”

I wring my hands, afraid I’m not welcome. But then he crosses the room, his grey eyes flitting over my face. He lifts a hand and gently cups my cheek.

“I couldn’t stay there,” I say, placing my hand atop his. “I just… I had to get away. At least for one night.”

His features are etched with a mix of emotions, which I’m certain mirror mine. Despite the tumultuous situation we find ourselves in, there is a sense of calm in his eyes that I cling to.

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