Page 79 of Decoy

“But she could be hidden anywhere. However will we find her?”

“I already have someone searching. He’ll meet us here once he obtains his information.”

Before visiting Blair in the dungeon, I’d ordered Malik to track down the real princess, already anticipating that should I succeed in breaking Blair out of prison we’d need her cooperation. Despite having been forced to turn me in to Father, he’d made up for it by helping me take care of the body before swearing his allegiance to me, the new head of the Shadow house. Even without his oath, I had enough faith in my friend and his loyalty not to doubt he’d follow through.

We settled on the slates to wait. I kept my arm wound securely around her as the dawn arrived to bathe us in its rosy golden light. After staring at its delicate brushstroke of colors for a time, the events of her long night finally caught up with her to rest her head on my shoulder and fall asleep.

I alternated watching her sleep and monitoring the chaos as the guards scoured the grounds after realizing their condemned prisoner had gone missing, gathering intel from the shadows slinking through the palace. Unfortunately, they discovered nothing useful. Thankfully, Malik didn’t disappoint me when he finally arrived several hours later, around midday. Though he appeared with his usual stealth, Blair stirred awake and blinked sleepily at him a moment before stiffening and scooting herself closer to me.

“This is my cousin and friend, Malik,” I said. “He’s helping me uncover the information we need.”

She didn’t answer, merely watched him with wide, unblinking eyes, undoubtedly remembering that this man had served for years as my sword and wouldn’t hesitate to kill her should the fancy strike.

Upon noticing her wariness, he offered a tight smile that looked more like a grimace than a token of reassurance. “I serve under His Grace’s orders and follow the missions he dictates however he sees fit; he’d rather die than order your murder.”

His Grace…I hadn’t yet grown accustomed to the title I’d inherited upon Father’s death, but I doubted all the time in the world would be enough for it to ever feel like mine…especially when I knew all too well it was truly the shadows who were in charge.

“The Shadow house will not pursue your death, Blair, and Malik would never act on his own.” Even with my reassurances, a sliver of paranoia lingered; my hand hovered over my dagger should the need arise to defend her.

“Yet though the shadows are momentarily sated and have released Laila, they still seek your maiden’s life,” Malik said.

She stiffened, and I glared at the idiotic oaf for frightening her unnecessarily, as if the poor woman hadn’t already been through enough. He had the sense to at least look contrite.

“Those within the dungeon did seem sinister,” she mused. “But why would they want me when I’m not the true princess?”

If only I had an answer to that frustrating mystery. “I’m making every effort to find out. Rest assured, as their master, I won’t let them harm you.”

For as little good as my position would do against their growing powers drifting further from my control. But she peered up at me with such trust I wanted to do all within my power to ease her heart.

“It’ll be alright. I promise.” I stroked her matted hair, a touch that seemed to calm her.

Malik smirked at my caressing hand. “Another assassination technique?”

I rolled my eyes. “I hope you’ve come bearing something more useful than your usual sarcastic quips.”

“Of course. I am the Shadow’s most trusted informant, after all.”

He swept into an exaggerated bow, theatrics I usually performed but which felt almost childish in front of someone I actually cared about and had no desire to manipulate. At my disapproving glare, he sobered and obediently straightened for his report.

“Princess Evelyn is with a small entourage of guards only a few miles east in the nearby forest. Based on her route, I suspect she’s on the way to the palace. While they’re still half a day’s journey away, I estimate it’ll take less than an hour traveling there with the shadows’ aid.”

Which would make it easy to intercept her in order to converse with her before her arrival. There was still one problem remaining. I glanced down at Blair nestled comfortably against my side, a position I felt far more secure in keeping her in order to best protect her. Even as my upcoming journey was necessary for her long-term protection, I hesitated to leave her for any reason.

Malik noticed the trajectory of my gaze. “I’ll stay behind and guard Blair while you deal with the princess.”

Whereas I wouldn’t hesitate to trust Malik with my life, it was quite another matter to gamble with the life of someone I held so dear. I evenly met his gaze, and he rested his hand over his heart.

“I swear on my life, Luke. No harm will befall her.”

I hesitated only a moment more before conceding the fight with a sigh. “Should I return and find her hurt in any way, rest assured I will not only kill you but allyouhold dear. Do you understand?” Whereas the threat would have been a bluff before, I now meant every word…something I could see he well understood.

He bowed his head in silent promise, leaving me to seal my own vow. I cupped Blair’s chin and kissed her fervently.

“I will save you, Blair. You have my word.” Another kiss, this one lingering far longer than was prudent; I only pulled away when Malik awkwardly cleared his throat.

“I was under the impression time is pressing.”

I grinned. “An assassin’s kiss used to obtain information is never time wasted.”

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