KADEN
I followed the guards as if I didn’t know where I was going, but I remembered every inch of the Marabella outpost—especially where the privies and showers were. As we walked past the gate that led to the paddocks, I saw they had added anot
her watchtower to the back paddock wall. It had been their only blind spot. A very unlikely one because of the steep, rocky access and the river below, but a blind spot nonetheless, and it had allowed me to gain entrance.
Lia had asked me once how many people I had killed. Too many to remember them all, but this one I remembered.
There.
I eyed the privy on the end. A fitting place for him to die.
“Hold up,” Tavish said.
I stopped while the guards went into a supply hut.
I was sure they wouldn’t be offering me a shower and fresh clothes if they knew I had slit the throat of one of their commanders. That was two years ago. I couldn’t remember exactly what his sins had been, just that many Vendans had died under his command and that was reason enough for the Komizar to send me.
This is for Eben, I had told him before I slashed the blade, though I didn’t know if he had anything to do with killing Eben’s parents. Now I wished I knew. I wished I could remember all the reasons.
That was a lifetime ago, Kaden. We were both different people then.
“Something wrong?” Tavish asked.
The soldiers had returned with supplies and were waiting for me to follow.
“No,” I answered. “Nothing’s wrong.”
We continued on to the showers, and I was grateful that the water was warm. It wasn’t like the vagabond hot springs that had practically boiled the grime away, but it was easier on sore muscles than the ice water of the Sanctum. It felt good to wash off the blood of men who had once been my comrades, those I had ridden with only months ago—yet today I had helped kill them.
“Looks like Griz is going to be all right.”
I kept my head under the water, pretending I didn’t hear Tavish. Was he fishing for compliments? Just because he had stitched Griz up out in the wilderness?
When I turned to give him a cool reply, he was scrubbing under his arms and studying me. I didn’t like Rafe or his deceptive friends, but the truth was, Tavish had saved Griz’s life, and I did owe him thanks. Griz was still my comrade—maybe my only one.
“You’re skilled with a needle,” I offered.
“Only out of necessity,” he answered, turning off the water. “No one else wants the job.” He toweled off and began to get dressed. “Funny, Rafe won’t shove a tiny piece of steel into someone’s cheek, but he can bring down three men with the single swing of his sword without even breaking a sweat. But you already know that, don’t you?”
A not-so-subtle warning. I remembered him watching my exchange with Rafe back in the surgeon’s barracks. He obviously didn’t appreciate my lack of regal respect.
“He’s not my king. I won’t be bending my knee to him like the rest of you.”
“He’s not a bad fellow if you give him a chance.”
“I’d expect you to say something like that, but I’m not here for chances or to be someone’s friend. I’m here for Lia.”
“Then you’re here for the wrong reason, Assassin.” He tightened his belt and adjusted his scabbard. His eyes were hot black pools. “One other word of advice—be cautious when you use the privies. Especially late at night. I’ve heard they can be dangerous. Surprising, isn’t it?” He turned and left, ordering the guards outside to wait until I was done.
He had been studying me more closely than I thought. It was only a simple glance at the privy, but he’d seen it and put it together. No doubt he’d be keeping a diligent eye on me—or making sure someone else did. He was probably already telling Rafe about his suspicions.
Had any of them noted that I had fought on their side today?
I continued to shower, in no hurry to join back up with the guards who waited for me. I wondered when and if I would see Lia again. Rafe wouldn’t make it easy, especially now that he was—
I shoved my head back under the water. I hadn’t even gotten used to the idea of him being a prince, and now he was a blazing king. I sputtered water out and scrubbed my chest. Did Lia really think he would traipse behind her all the way to—
I turned off the water.