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“Because I’m going to help you kill him.”

Riven’s breath stopped. His chest didn’t rise to meet the pointed blade of my dagger. His eyes seemed to darken as he stared into my own. My skin prickled with an electric charge that left me on edge. I felt the urge to run and scream and fight all at once. What kind of Fae trick was this between us?

“This is an odd way to broker an alliance.” Riven broke his silence with a glance down at the dagger. “Allies or death?”

“Isn’t that the beginning of any truce?” I countered.

Riven huffed, his jaw bulging as he studied me. “If this is your way of distracting me before you kill me, it’s rather unprecedented.”

“Would you rather I kiss you?” I said, raising a brow. “Or is that trick only fun whenyoudo it?”

Riven sneered exposing his fangs. Apparently, it wasn’t the time for jokes.

“I want to kill the king,” I repeated.

Riven shook his head. “Has being Blade finally bored you?”

“I’ve wanted to kill the king for... a long time,” I said. “Probably longer than you.”

“Why?” Riven pushed.

In a show of good faith, I dropped my dagger and sheathed it in its holster. I met his gaze and waited for him to strike. He didn’t.

“My reasons are my own. As are yours. That doesn’t change the fact we want the same thing.” I stood there waiting. He would either strike, and only one of us would leave. Or he wouldn’t, and both of us would leave. As accomplices.

“Why should I trust you?” Riven crossed his arms, his eyes never leaving my hands.

“Besides the fact I didn’t kill you when I could’ve?” I raised a brow, pointing to my blade on the floor. Riven only clenched his teeth and waited.

“You can’t trust me.” I sighed. “Not really. And I can’t trust you. But I can trust that there’s a better chance of us succeeding working together than us trying apart.” I picked my cloak and hood back up from the floor and refastened them around my neck.

“You’re willing to risk everything. Your title—not to mention your life—on an alliance with the Fae you’ve spent months hunting?” Riven asked, a hard line forming between his brows.

“My title and life were forfeit the moment I chose not to strike you down.” I grabbed my blade from the floor. Riven’s fingers curled around the dagger he wore at his side. “Returning to the palace without your head is risking my life. I might as well risk it on something worthy.”

“Why now?” Riven stooped to pick up his own sword. He held it at his side for a long moment before holstering it behind his back.

“I tried to take him down myself in those first years I was Blade. I failed...” My throat tightened. “It’s not something one person can achieve on their own, I’ve tried.” I could taste the bitterness on my tongue.

Riven studied me as he rubbed the back of his neck. Thoughts swirled behind his violet eyes.

“This is not a decision I can make on my own,” Riven said, his fists clenched at his sides.

“Understandable.” I nodded. “I will give you the night to discuss this with whoever you need. I will wait for you at the inn near the—”

“I know where you’re staying,” Riven spat.

“Then you know where to find me.”

IWAS BEING FOLLOWED.Someone trailed me along the roof of the apartment and then onto the shops. Their feet were heavy against the vines and stone. There was another tail, a male wearing a blue traveler’s cloak, walking in front of me. He used the reflections in the shop windows and a mirrored eye piece to trail me from ahead.

I didn’t care that they followed. If Riven was sincere, they wouldn’t touch me. If not, I would easily take them down.

I didn’t go straight to the inn. Instead, I dined in one of the taverns near the palace garden. It was dark, but clean, and smelled of fresh spice and ale. The Halfling owners scurried from patron to patron to ask them about their day and meal. Eventually, the wife made it to me.

“How’s the roast, my dear?” she asked, refilling my water glass.

“Lovely,” I replied.