Page 28 of Decoy

She opened her mouth to argue…only to close it when no argument seemed forthcoming. Her pause gave me time to fully consider my dilemma; after some deliberation, I settled for a compromise between sense and the growing desires of my finicky heart.

With the curse momentarily sated, it’d be in my best interest to discover who else was after the princess and why, which meant I could keep her alive long enough to obtain that informationbeforeachieving the glory myself by killing her. Unease prickled at the inevitable destination of this resolve, but until then, I could at least walk this course free from the stress of plotting a murder I secretly didn’t want to occur.

In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to have a little fun with her…which meant it was time to end this particular charade and reclaim the upper hand. “Since I refuse to divulge the information you seek, you no longer have any reason to threaten me…unless it’s for your own satisfaction.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re in no position to make demands. I will keep you here as long as I desire.”

“Youcould…but only if you’re the one currently winning this particular battle.”

“Considering I have you pinned to the wall with a knife at your throat, I think it’s clear that I’m indeed—”

I silently summoned the shadows lurking within the corridor to access the curse’s power to enhance the skills I’d rigorously trained in. It slowed time just enough for me to withdraw my hidden weapon and disarm her. Before her knife could even clatter to the ground, I wrapped my hand around her wrists loosely enough so as not to hurt her and gently pressed my blade to her throat, preventing her escape. And just like that, our positions had reversed.

Her eyes bulged. “How—”

“I let you have your fun, but in the end I have the superior skill…though I’m admittedly impressed by your own. Not only will poison prove ineffective moving forward, but I’ll have to watch my back against your impressive aim.”

Her pallid expression flickered down to the knife, eyes rounded like an ensnared animal after an exhausting pursuit. The vulnerable look caused a strange flare of protectiveness that had no place between an assassin and his target, along with a desire to do all within my power to prevent her from experiencing such fear again. This wasn’t who I wanted to be…yet I found I couldn’t move, keeping her trapped at my mercy.

She took a wavering breath. “So this is it. I suppose I deserve such a fate for exposing my suspicions, which leaves you no choice but to kill me.”

She gave her suggestion with far too much calm considering the circumstances, rationality that mingled with the shadows’ taunts relentlessly filling my mind. Killing her was necessary…but even with the blade against her neck, I found it impossible to perform the horrific task.

“What are you waiting for?” she demanded. “Kill me.”

Against my better judgement, my grip on her loosened slightly. “Do youwantto die?”

“Of course not, but it seems a fitting punishment for my recklessness causing me to lose this particular game. You obviously have a reason for seeking my life and would be foolish to miss this chance to finally claim your prize.”

I stared into her eyes, whirling with fear and that alluring fire. Whether I kept her alive to access the forbidden tomes or to uncover the mysteries surrounding her, to imagine such spirit being extinguished by my hand was truly unbearable.

“It seems a shame to kill someone with such courageous spirit after she managed to be the first to surprise me. Such a rare feat deserves a reward.” I released her before her presence could tempt me to linger longer than necessary, only bridging the distance enough to return the letter opener. “Your…weapon, though I supposethisis the one you truly want.”

I also handed her the dagger she claimed was hers from the royal armory. She seized it before I could change my mind, suspicion furrowing her brow. “Arming your target seems quite foolish.”

I shrugged. “I like a challenge.”

She rolled her eyes. “You possess an unhealthy amount of self-confidence, but unfortunately for you, I don’t find cockiness attractive.” Yet the blush tinging her cheeks contradicted her words.

If only she knew that the persona I portrayed was an illusion I desperately sought in order to make sense of my inevitable path and find the strength to walk it. I hoped my feigned confidence would become part of me if I pretended long enough so I never need hesitate with my cursed fate again.

But that day wasn’t today. Bitterness tinged my tight smile. “Confidence is essential in my line of work. You’d do well to possess some of your own if you hope to win in our battle of wills.”

“What need have I for confidence when I possess other weapons against you? What’s to stop me from informing the king and queen about your attempted murder?”

“Youcouldfollow through with that threat…but such a betrayal would sever my last reason for keeping you alive for the time being, which would be such a shame after all the effort I expended to rationalize temporarily sparing you. It appears you find yourself in my debt—both for the weapon and for your life.”

With a final taunting smirk, I departed before I could give in to the seductive temptation to linger. By all appearances, I’d won this round…but in truth, I felt it’d come at the cost of something infinitely precious. I wasn’t sure I possessed the strength to continue this game, especially when it led to the conclusion I dreaded.

For all my show of control, I’d never possessed less than I did now…and it was only continuing to slip further from my fragile grasp the longer I remained with my most bewitching target.

CHAPTER9

BLAIR

That scoundrel. Anger pounded through my veins, heightened emotions that made it difficult to retain my usual stealth through the corridors. Only when I detected movement up ahead did some semblance of sense return to my whirling thoughts. I gasped and pressed my back to the wall to better blend with the shadows. It took considerable effort to still my frantic breaths enough to be swallowed by the night. Cloaked in shadowy silence, I waited, my wild heartbeats the only measurement of time.

The passing footsteps turned out to belong to a patrolling guard. Though my tension eased, my frustration escalated. I’d long since memorized the routines of the guards and servants and should have known who pursued me. My emotions were eclipsing my sense; losing my fragile hold over them would only prove dangerous to my mission, something I couldn’t afford when failure meant certain death.

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