Page 56 of The Assassin's Bride

Her assassin. Her husband. Her king. Reality swirled so fast, it left her dizzy. “By the Light, Gaius,” she breathed. “Who did you kill?” It hadn't been the king.Hewas the king. But he was not the king she'd known, not the man she'd recognized. He'd severed that man's head, right in front of her.

He grew solemn. “Someone I believed I could trust. I was mistaken.”

“A decoy?” Nothing else made sense.

He nodded. “Selected to sit in my place, to execute my orders while I was left free to continue my search. So far as most of Kentoria knows, he was Gaius Rothalan. But there are members of the guard who know the truth, and the members of my council knew, as well.”

“They'll rule in your stead?” She'd been so eager to escape Kentoria, she'd hardly considered how the country might manage without a king.

“As well as they are able, until my return. Or until Rilion notifies them of my death. I have left orders, and I pray my substitute was the only traitor in their midst.”

Thea shook her head as she tried to grasp it all. Light's mercy, but her head was spinning. “How did you know? How did you find him?” And how much damage had been done to her homeland before he'd been caught?

“My sources led me back to Kentoria, where I discovered he had not executed all of my orders. Instead of working to strike an alliance with Ranor, he prepared for a coup, bolstering the Kentorian armies with men loyal to his cause. Whatever it may be.” He muttered the last beneath his breath. A hint of steel had returned to his eyes and posture, but his arms around her were still gentle. “His confession came with his dying breath, and now I know. The man I seek hides in Angroth. To kill him may be to incite a war, but I am ready.”

She exhaled hard. “I don't understand. Why hunt him further? Why not wait for him to come to you?”

“Because by now, he is sure to have heard Kentoria's king is dead, or he will hear soon. He will assume that means the coup was successful. So I carry his assassin's head to his doorstep. He will soon learn he's killed the wrong king.”

Thea shuddered. She'd tried so hard not to think of what he'd carried, and hadn't been able to fathom why he'd kept it in his bag.

“I know you find it distasteful,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. Maybe he'd just read the shiver that ran down her spine. “If it means anything, I did not enjoy the process. But a message will be sent, and even if he slips away, I want—need—something to show I do not fear him.”

She made herself nod. She wouldn't pretend to understand. “What must I do? How can I aid you?” The last thing she wanted was to beg he give her his final days, then become a burden that weighed him down.

“You will learn to fight. It's not far to the heart of Angroth, maybe a third the distance from Samara to here, but it will have to be enough.”

She thought she could do that. Even now, she carried the dagger he'd let her borrow. The way it rubbed her bare leg was uncomfortable, and having it hidden beneath the skirt of her dress was inconvenient, but leaving it in her assigned room had felt wrong. “I'll prepare to continue travel. The maid and I washed my illusory clothing. It's drying now.”

“Good. Since your face is the one on that poster, you'll need to remain unrecognizable.” He frowned as if he found that thought unpleasant. Perhaps he did; he twisted his fingers in her reddish curls and breathed deep.

Ah. So he did like the honeysuckle, after all. Thea's face warmed. She'd wanted him to find her appealing. Now, standing with his arms draped around her and his eyes half-lidded as he inhaled the fragrance of her hair, she was embarrassed. Would she have done such a thing if she'd known who he was sooner?

He opened his eyes and stepped back. “Provisions,” he muttered as he snapped his fingers. “I'll need to let him know.”

“Rilion?” she guessed.

“Yes.” He gave a wry sort of smile and turned for the stairs. He didn't tell her to stay, so she trailed along behind him.

What would the prince say about her canceled plans? Would he say anything? He'd said little about Gil's quest, or of Gil... Gaius... himself. Again, her cheeks felt warm. No wonder Rilion had choked when she'd identified herself as Gil's wife.

They found Rilion in the stable, though why Gil thought to look there, Thea didn't know. He stood, rubbing the forehead of a horse. The animal crunched on some treat, but already rooted at the prince's coat pockets, looking for more.

“That's enough for you,” Rilion muttered as he stepped back, guarding his pocket while the other horse present came and leaned over the stall door.

Gil said nothing, just stood in the stable's doorway.

The prince slipped something to the second horse, then sighed. “She's going with you.”

“Your assistance in settling her here may yet be needed,” Gil replied.

Rilion bowed his head. “We'll hope it doesn't come to that.” He stroked the second horse's neck, then made a sound of frustration. “I didn't bring enough horses.”

Thea peered past Gil's shoulder, examining the nearby tack first, then the animals. “But there are two.”

“Yes,” Rilion said flatly.

She blinked. “Does that mean...”

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