Page 86 of A Tale of Treachery

“Yes,” I answered from the side of my mouth, my voice a low whisper. “But that’s the least of my problems. I need a favor from you, one you’re not going to like.”

She tensed. “And what would this favor be? Does it involve danger? Rule breaking?”

I turned to her once the music started and people resumed their conversations, giving her a tight smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “You really enjoy breaking rules, don’t you?”

She nodded eagerly, and a humorous huff slipped through my lips.

“Good, this will require some rules to be broken.”

“Tell me! Don’t leave me wondering like this,” she groaned.

“The collection that came in today…some of my friends were captured. Those mages from the tavern were also taken, and I need to free them. All of them. I can’t risk them being executed.”

Gabriella rubbed her hands together with excitement, throwing a wary look over her shoulder to ensure nobody listened in. When she noticed Aiden and her parents deep in conversation with the king, she turned to me, a mischievous smile on her lips. “I love this idea. How can I help?”

“You’re the distraction.”

* * *

The restof the dinner dragged on as I awaited the opportunity to fake an illness and excuse myself early. When dessert arrived, it was time. I feigned a bellyache and told Aiden that I needed to lie down.

His eyes were soft, and he squeezed my hand as we said our goodbyes. He whispered something about playing the part for tonight and waiting for him in his room, and told Thomas to escort me.

But that’s where Gabriella came in. She clutched Aiden’s arm and looked at him with those big doe eyes, begging to spend some extra time with him, to get better reacquainted and get to know each other, one on one. Their wedding would be in a few days, after all.

Aiden refused at first, having other plans for the night, which included keeping me locked in his room, until his father stepped in, insisting that he spend the night with his wife-to-be.

I could see Aiden’s irritation, the frustration, and distrust in his narrowed eyes. He knew I was up to something but excused me anyway, with the condition that Thomas guarded my room.

I’d expected this turn of events and had a special plan in mind for Thomas.

Thomas trailed behind me as we exited, his eyes burning my bare back, and when we reached my room, I invited him in.

His gaze traced my body, lingering on the naked parts that my dress failed to cover. I knew what he had planned. He thought I was a sure thing since I’d given myself to the king’s assassinandthe prince. He thought he was entitled to me.

“Would you like a nightcap, sir?” I purred as he sat down on my couch.

His only response was a grunt, his eyes on my bare, gold-dusted skin.

I shivered and walked over to the drink cart. Pouring two cups of wine from the decanter, I handed one to him while pretending to sip on mine and sat down across from him, putting as much distance as possible between us, smiling a sultry smile. He downed the drink in one go and approached.

I hadn’t expected him to make his move so soon. I’d thought he would sit and talk a while before making demands. The moonflower would work quickly, but not this quickly.

I needed to stall.

He leaned over me, his arms braced on the sides of my chair, boxing me in as he made his demand. “Give me what I came here for.”

I planted a hand on his chest and pushed him back. “Another glass?”

“No.” Thomas’s eyes burned into me, creeping and crawling along my skin as I counted down the seconds until the moonflower would kick in. After another minute of bearing his indecent gaze, my lips morphed into a sugary smile, and I tilted my head.

“Remind me…what’s your name again? I forgot.”

His hand whipped out to grip my jaw, but I dodged him and dove to the floor, crawling until I was safe on the other side of the room. He came after me, wild and reckless, throwing furniture in his path.

I panicked. The moonflower should have taken effect. He should be incoherent and unconscious. I threw myself on the bed, rolling to the other side as he reached for me. This wasn’t possible. He should have been knocked out.

“I don’t know why you’re playing hard to get when we both know you want this,” he slurred, reaching my spot and backing me into a corner.

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