Page 55 of Decoy

“Because you still have more information to extract with that newtechniqueof yours?”

My cheeks burned, belying the indifference I fought to maintain. There was far too much truth to his teasing than I wanted to admit. “Despite the risks, I can’t utilize her if she’s dead.”

It wasn’t even a lie, though how she’d prove useful had little to do with either of my missions and instead more to do with reasons that felt far too personal.

Malik grew thoughtful. “There’s likely some truth to your claims, but I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to it. I know you struggle to kill, but protecting your target is one step too far. You’ve gotten too absorbed with her that you haven’t even sensed me watching you. You’re in rather deep, Luke.”

“Don’t I know it.” I was both ashamed he was beginning to understand the extent of the mess I’d entangled myself in and relieved to share a portion of the burden weighing upon my heart that dissuaded me from my duties. I more than anyone knew the stakes should I fail, and yet in this moment none of them seemed to matter.

What was wrong with me?

Though my weaknesses made me undeserving, as he had with my previous missions, Malik lent me his support. He rested a hand on my shoulder. “No matter the circumstances, I’ll do all within my power for the success of the mission. What would you have me do?”

“Help me find the person who attacked the princess last night, and after getting what you need from them, ensure they can’t interfere ever again.”

Considering Malik had already singlehandedly caught me holding the shovel, it didn’t hurt to dig myself a little deeper in my own grave. While I’d been reluctant to carry out the previous death orders I’d received, in this instance his murder was the sole outcome I desired.

In hopes it might assist him, I imparted every detail I could—about my suspicions of how the assailant had entered the room, the absence of the guards, the injury the princess had managed to inflict, and the trail of blood the shadows had discovered.

I knew he had many more questions and that my delay to that unwanted conversation was only temporary before I was eventually forced to face the extent to which I’d derailed our mission, but thankfully that time wasn’t now; I had more pressing matters to concern myself with.

When I’d finished, he melted into the darkness to begin his investigation, leaving me free to continue my own: investigating who had attacked Princess Evelyn last night and following up on my promise to look into who had poisoned her tea. Worry made me reluctant to venture too far from the princess, so I lingered as close to her as I could get away with.

I tried to school my stubborn emotions, but the moment I saw her at luncheon upon returning to the palace, my heart leapt, ruining my attempts to use our brief separation to escape the confusion muddling my resolve. I was utterly hopeless around her.

She seemed to notice my frequent unsubtle staring, but other than suppressing a knowing smile that gave me reason to hope she’d also missed me during our brief sojourn apart, she made no acknowledgement of my presence.

When I wasn’t focused on Her Highness, I observed her surroundings. Unlike those from last night, her current guards were thankfully attentive, as well as the royal advisor. Other than Crown Prince Elton and Princess Collette of Eldenwood, Princess Liliana of Wisteria, and the besotted nobleman she’d practiced her flirting on the night before, who’d since taken to monopolizing her attention with poetry—forcing me to wrestle between my inclination to tease her and the jealous part of me seeking to rescue her—most of the court didn’t pay her much mind, as if the novelty of her presence had worn off.

That wasn’t so unusual, although the same couldn’t be said for Their Majesties’ behavior; for having so recently been reunited with their long-lost daughter, the king and queen seemed to pay her only whatever attention was necessary. Something wasn’t quite right, and I was determined to figure out what was truly going on.

* * *

It was longpast midnight by the time Malik met me on the roof outside the princess’s room, where he found me waiting with my dagger at the ready for anyone who should attack. I kept a portion of my attention on searching the night for any intrusive presence and the remainder on resisting the lure beckoning me to slip inside her room so I could guard her more closely.

I tensed at the dark silhouette’s sudden approach but relaxed upon recognizing my friend…though not entirely, for I couldn’t dismiss the possibility that Malik’s true intentions were more sinister than his supposed support claimed. The fact he’d been gone for several hours longer than expected only increased my reservations, especially considering the length of his absence gave him enough time to go to the manor and return under Father’s orders. My doubts concerning Malik’s true loyalties played havoc with my thoughts. I couldn’t afford such a hindrance.

Would I be strong enough to kill him should he get in my way?

I gave my head a rigid shake. What was I thinking? This was my cousin and best friend, whom I was close enough with to consider my brother. No target was more important than his life…even though in this moment nothing seemed more important thanher.

He slowed his quiet prowl several meters a way, warily eying my defensive stance. “You can trust me, Luke.”

I forced myself to relax, but only slightly. “Did you find anything?”

I paid a portion of my attention to his answer, the remainder to the shadows lurking not just across the roof but within the princess’s room and just outside her door, unfaltering in my search for anything suspicious.

“The assailant is taken care of.”

My attention snapped fully to him. “You found him already?”

Triumph lined his wicked grin. “I knew he lingered somewhere in the palace awaiting another opportunity to take out his target. It wasn’t difficult to disguise myself and mingle amongst the servants to discern who didn’t belong. From there, his fresh dagger wound was as good as a confession. If the princess is the one who struck him, her abilities are rather impressive.”

I felt a rush of pride, as if her accomplishment were my own. “She’s quite skilled with the knife.”

His eyes narrowed at my smile. “Indeed.”

I shifted anxiously beneath his heated scrutiny prowling after my secrets. “Did he provide any useful clues?”

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