Page 52 of Mirror of Malice
Jasper. Jasper had finally found me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Iturned to see a sword of flames pointed at me, another at Penn.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Jasper cut me off. “Don’t say a word.”
Well, that was confusing since he’d just demanded we state our business. I was a little miffed he didn’t recognize me. My hair was shorter and I was covered in grime and dressed in these ridiculous clothes, but still. We’d been betrothed for over twenty years. You’d think the man would know his own fiancé. His dark hair was longer, curling around his ears and beneath his chin, and his golden skin was tanned by the desert sun. He wore loose pants and a long-sleeved shirt, common here in Gilraeth, to protect everyone from the unrelenting sun and heat. I wanted to step closer, but I was afraid any movement or word might earn me a fiery sword in my gut.
“Fiery hells,” Jasper said, his gaze locking on Penn’s hand. “That’s my ring!” He stilled for a minute, looking back at the man who was with him, his guard. “The king of thieves.”
Oh. Oh, no.
Jasper marched over to Penn and yanked the ring off his finger, not taking any care to be gentle. Penn let out a groan,and I reached for him, then thought better of it. His eyes were closed again, and I wasn’t even sure he was conscious. If he was, the idiot would no doubt be trying to fight his way out of this, so maybe it was better he wasn’t awake right now.
“Jasper!” I said.
He glared at me. “Excuse me, you will address me as ‘my lord.’ And how do you know my name? Have we met?” He frowned at me.
“Jasper, it’s me. Liliath.”
His eyes widened, sword still pointed at me, then he barked out a laugh. “Liliath. Princess of the earth court? Who’s currently imprisoned by her stepmother?” He snorted. “You look nothing like her.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s because I’ve been locked up in a prison cell for two years. I had to cut my hair, okay?”
He looked at the guard, and they laughed together. “Yes, you’re Liliath. You with that raggedy hair and dirt-smudged face and tunic and trousers? Princess Liliath wouldn’t dare be caught dead wearing whatever that”—he gestured to my tunic—“little getup is.”
Well, this was not going well. “I promise you, I am Princess Liliath of Elwen.”
Jasper smirked. “Okay, then, I’ll entertain your little story. How did you escape, exactly?”
I closed my eyes. “I didn’t. I was kidnapped by the king of thieves.” I gestured to Penn. “He’s taken me for his own purposes, and I managed to escape him and come here, but he found me before I could get to you. Does my voice not sound familiar at all?”
“Say something only Jasper would know,” the guard said.
I huffed, racking my brain for something, but nothing came to mind, except... I couldn’t saythatout loud. I bit my lip. Thenagain, my life very well might depend on this. Good green earth, I really couldn’t think of anything else?
Jasper stepped closer, the pointy end of his fire sword dangerously near my neck, the heat already burning my skin.
“Fine,” I burst out. “There was a name you insisted I call you whenever we... made love.”
Jasper tapped his shiny boot on the ground, not looking impressed.
He was really going to make me say it out loud. “Sir Stallion,” I whispered.
The guard laughed, and Jasper sent him a glare, the laugh quickly turning into a cough.
“Liliath?” Jasper’s eyes widened, and his sword dropped from his hand, the fire disappearing.
I rushed into his arms, relief flooding me. “Jasper, I’ve missed you so much.”
He pressed a kiss to my head. “I can’t believe you’re here... and with him. Arrest him at once!”
I stiffened and pushed myself out of his arms. “No. Wait.” I stood between the guard and Penn, holding out my hands. “He’s hurt. He needs medicine.”
Jasper scratched his head. “He’s the king of thieves, and he kidnapped you. He’s lucky I’m just calling for his arrest and not his execution.” He gestured for the guard, who tried to step forward, but I blocked him.
“No, Jasper, please. I know he’s done some bad things, but he’s had his reasons.”
