Page 65 of The Man with the Violet Eyes

“To kill Nicolo.” I probably shouldn’t have said it, but I needed to check. Just to make sure my delirious mind hadn’t just concocted up the last twenty minutes.

“Yes. Are you going to ask why?”

“No.” Some of the Guild’s lessons were drummed in harder than others.

Balduin nodded. “The Guild trains its people well. Which is why, frankly, I’ve been a bit baffled by you and decided to take direct action.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness?” It was like the floor was giving way under me.

“So, you damn well should be,” he answered and the light tone to his words was suddenly gone. In its place was a cold and austere anger that was echoed in his narrowed eyes and furrowed brow. “You’ve been here weeks, working with Nicolo every day, and he’s as alive as he ever was.” He took a breath. “I want to know why. Are you attempting to poison him? If so, you are wasting your time. Not only is he very careful about inspecting everything he eats and drinks, but he’s built up immunity to many different toxins.”

I shook my head, still stuck on our previous conversation. “How did you know it was me?”

Balduin shrugged. “Seemed a bit of a coincidence, someone like you arriving so soon after the commission. You’ve gotten closer to Nicolo than any woman—than anyperson—ever has.”

Again, I felt that odd fluttering of joy which made zero sense and was beyond frustrating. And might now cost me my life.

“But what if you’d guessed wrong?”

Another shrug. “Then I would have choked you to death. It’s something I do with my lovers now—something that delights me, truth be told.” I swallowed hard. “Sometimes I must admit I get a bit carried away and it’s easy to go too far. Lost a maid that way last year.” He breathed in deeply and then sighed. “She died with a smile on her face though.”

Balduin was smarter than I’d given him credit for. I needed to tread carefully. But why was he doing this and how could he afford to—his life was on the line if Nicolo died.

“If you’re not poisoning him then why is it taking so fucking long?” the prince snapped at me.

“It’s not easy to get close to him, Your Highness,” I replied with a simple shrug. “I was planning to see it through tonight, but you interrupted.”

Balduin scoffed. “You could have chosen any night.”

“Tonight was the first time we were… alone together.”

Balduin looked confused for a minute. “What… you mean that part about you being a maid was true…? Nicolo hasn’t been skewering you this whole time?”

I felt myself color in anger and insult. “No, Highness.”

Balduin threw back his head and laughed. “That’s… oh, the irony! I thought he was fibbing simply because he wanted to keep you all to himself!” He looked at me and continued laughing. “The poor horny fucker! He’s had an erection for you since day one and nowhere to shove it! Bloody hell!” Then his laugh died and the scowl returned. “Why on earth did you waste time ‘getting close’ to him. Any of the maids could have told you how easy it was to get into his bed. He would have fucked the bunny ears off you on your first night if you’d wiggled your tail at him.”

“With a knife under his pillow, a sword by his side and one eye always open,” I snapped back, forgetting myself but at this point, I didn’t care. I didn’t know where Balduin and I went from here. “And I’d have been out the door as soon as he was done,” I continued. “Nicolo never lets his guard down. I needed to be more than just another girl. I needed to be the one whospendsthe night.”

Irritated though he was, I could see Balduin recognized the sense in my explanation. “You make a reasonable point, little rabbit. Nicolo’s had too many close calls and he doesn’t get sentimental with women.” He poured himself another libation and held it up to me. “Well, you did a good job, I’ve never seen anyone burrow under his skin the way you have.”

“It’s a bit more difficult now,” I said. The fact that Balduin now knew who I was gave me confidence enough to almost admonish him. “Tonight was to be our first time, but now that opportunity is gone.”

“Answer me something.”

“Yes?”

“Was it to be your first time with Nicolo or your first time… ever? And don’t offend me with anything but the truth.”

I swallowed hard, unsure why this question left me feeling uneasy. “Ever.”

Balduin appeared startled again. “I’d heard young assassins saved themselves for such missions, but I never dreamed a girl as pretty as you would be… What a shocking waste.”

“Yes,” I replied pointedly. “If Nicolo thinks you and I…mated… it will change my relationship with him completely.” I wasn’t sure if that was strictly true but was searching for any reason to get away from Balduin and settled on that one. “I’ll never get close to him again.”

Balduin pulled a face. “He’ll never believe I didn’t fuck you. He knows me better than that.”

“Would he believe you were too drunk to perform?”

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