Page 113 of Ruthless Scoundrel
I say his name like a warning and squish his cheeks again. “Stop. Asking. I’m coming with you, and that’s the end of it. I’ve been at court for nineteen years. I know how to dance, laugh, and lie with the best of them. I know how to put on a show, distract, and flirt.”
He grumbles, holding me tighter.
“You were dead set on this weeks ago. What happened?”
He grabs my neck and drags me down against his lips. “We happened.”
I snort. “So, you were okay with sacrificing me when it didn’t inconvenience you?”
“Inconvenience.” Jasper says the word with disdain. “Reina, if you get hurt, I’ll sacrifice everything else to save you.”
I sigh. “And that directly conflicts with your promise to rescue your family. I understand.”
He closes his eyes and hugs me tight. “You’ll stay, then?”
“No. I promise not to let you give them up for me. I promise that I can take care of myself, and if I can’t…well, you know how quickly I can find a tool to end myself—”
“Don’t,” he snarls, pulling back to look at me. “Don’t do that. Don’t fucking joke about killing yourself.”
I run my thumb across his stubble, not a word escaping me.
“Rei, you’re not serious, are you?” He shakes me, but I don’t feel anything except cold resolve. “You have a rebellion! You have a kingdom and a people to fight for!”
“And they have people fighting for them. You have no one else, no one onyourside. They will go on without me. You matter more.”
His brow pinches and his eyes shimmer with agony as he whispers my name.
“Stop looking at me like I’m going to die. Our plan is as good as any. We’re both strong, and we’re stronger together.”
He pushes his forehead against mine. “You’re right. I trust you. I’m just…if I lose you…” He swallows hard, gripping the back of my neck and pressing us together harder. “I’ll kill all of them. I’ll kill until there’s nothing left of me. I’ll kill until Nol’Ther will trade the souls of my slain for you.”
“I don’t know if she takes soul exchanges,” I whisper, kissing his cheek.
His face hardens. “I’llmakeher.”
I chuckle at the thought of a mere mortal making a god do anything. Perhaps if his feelings are strong enough, he could convince her.
Murdering indiscriminately would definitely get the eyes of Zephrom on him, though, and she is far less forgiving, and understanding, about matters of the heart.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
I nod and kiss him again. “Let’s go get your family back.”
Chapter thirty-three
Jasper
Our manufactured invitation with falsified data passes at the docks. I’d expected Vansen to be a little more wary than this, but the guards on his ship are barely paying any attention. We could just as easily have snuck on for the gold we wasted to get forged documents.
No matter. We’re aboard the ship now, and on our way.
Reina leads me to the port side to watch the sun. I wedge our mostly empty luggage between my feet and put out my arm for her to hold. She does, just barely touching me. We are supposed to be brother and sister. It would look awkward to the other humans if she were any more attentive than this.
“How long do you think it’ll take to get there?” Reina asks, though she already knows the answer. I know she’s just talking to calm her nerves.
“The ship is one made for speed, and not much cargo. Its intent is to ferry people. Still, it will take us several hours to get there.” Apparently, I want to talk, too.
“Will we miss the eclipse?”
