Page 39 of Decoy

My first instinct was to guard my secrets as I’d always done, my only protection in the aftermath of my family’s fall from grace. It’d be suicidal to inform him I wasn’t the true princess, even as part of me yearned to share that burden after years of bearing every weight solely on my own shoulders.

Perhaps I only needed to share enough to get him to help me, less for my sake and more for his own amusement. I wanted someone to lean on rather than continue navigating my labyrinth of darkness alone. Though his actions gave me every reason to doubt him, his forthrightness about them compelled me to trust him. He’d already proved time and time again he possessed an advantage I feared my skills were wholly inadequate to overcome.

The fact remained I’d been making little to no progress on my own. If he possessed the superior skill, then it’d be in my best interest to find a way to use that to my advantage. Though it required considerable risk, it was currently my only chance at emerging from this scheme alive. If in the end he betrayed me, it wouldn’t be a position much different from where I now found myself.

Despite the gamble, I was far too desperate to ignore the chance it offered—not only the chance to live, but an escape from the isolation of feeling so alone, even if it came from the very person I’d determined never to choose as my ally.

I took a wavering breath. “Perhaps we can forge an alliance.”

His eyebrows rose, but already he seemed intrigued. “Is your information truly so valuable I’d consider such a relationship?”

I carefully considered how best to arrange my words to manipulate him into cooperating. “In addition to providing you with an opportunity to salvage your honor as an assassin, it presents a mystery I’m certain will fascinate you: upon my return to the palace, I discovered that my life is in danger.”

By his impassive expression, he clearly remained unimpressed. “This is hardly information worth using to bargain; I already know you suspect me of being this threat.”

It wasn’t until he said this that I finally understood the feeling that had been nagging me against all sense. “You’re not the threat I was warned about.”

I couldn’t explain my reasoning beyond instinct, a flimsy foundation to be sure but one at least solid enough for me to stand firm. This same instinct had stoked my hesitation to submit his name to the advisor. Having been the victim of a grave injustice myself, I was reluctant to be the cause of condemning anyone to the same fate…even my worst enemy.

He studied me with a tilt of his head. “But you cannot deny Iama threat.”

I couldn’t, even as I sensed there was something far more elaborate being orchestrated behind the scenes, something that my focus on him had prevented me from noticing for far too long, precious time lost that I could never recover.

“You may be my enemy, but there is one far more dangerous than you.” Playing off his ego certainly couldn’t hurt.

As I predicted, he snorted dismissively. “Such an enemy doesn’t exist.”

“And yet if one does…who better to outwit him than another assassin?” I allowed the thought to hang tauntingly before him, and as I hoped, he took the bait. Not immediately—he made a valiant attempt to fight against the lure before heaving a defeated sigh.

“Then I have incentive to eliminate them.” A flicker of admiration penetrated his lingering frustration. “You’re willing to risk it all on a hypothetical possibility?”

“I like the challenge.” I took great satisfaction in repeating his earlier words, ones that finally earned me a smile.

“Well played.”

“In whatever battle of wits I engage in, I always ensure I do whatever is required to remain a formidable opponent.”

His reluctant smile broke free before his look became thoughtful. “I find it strange that you’re the one working to uncover the dangers against you; it seems an unusual task to bestow on aprincess.” His emphasis on the title gave me reason to fear he doubted I was who I claimed. I couldn’t hide anything from him, yet I remained determined to continue to try.

“My life is too important to keep in the sole protection of a few guards, especially when I have yet to find a reason to dismiss them from suspicion.”

He nodded approvingly even as he continued to ponder. “The conversation I overheard between you and the advisor confirms I’m one of your suspects, yet despite your suspicions, you want to make me an ally. They do say to keep your enemies close.”

“Despite your motivations to kill me, I take comfort in the fact that my being of some use to you offers enough protection to outweigh the risk in aligning myself with you.”

“Strange girl.” But his look remained soft. “I admit there’s reason to keep you alive for the time being, not to mention you’ve presented an intriguing puzzle that I find myself quite curious to solve. However, I still require additional information to know if it’s worth my time.”

I hesitated before tentatively revealing another of my coveted cards. “There was a prophecy, and you don’t fit the threat spoken of.”

That captured his attention, just as I’d hoped. “It’s rather insulting that some measly threat warranted a prophecy to warn you when my mission did not. Very well, I will cooperate for the time being. However, my help comes at the cost of something from you in return.”

“The information found in the forbidden tomes?” I guessed.

“We will discuss the terms later with the caveat I’m trusting you to comply with my conditions, but for the time being, it’s prudent we use our time amongst the court to our advantage.”

His meaning gradually settled over me. “Does this mean you’ll help me?”

I waited with bated breath as he considered my offer. “Help youis not the way I’d put it, rather momentarily working towards a common goal. In that, it appears we have a bargain.” He extended his hand.

---