Page 103

SCARLETT

Scarlett came out of the bedroom to find Cassius and Callan standing near the entry door. Nuri was leaning against the far wall, hood up, and one foot tucked up behind her. Callan turned to Scarlett, a glimmer of joy crossing his features— until Sorin came out of the room behind her. His eyes hardened as they took in the tall, muscled general of lethal grace and mask of stone. She had rarely interacted with Callan with anyone else around. Most of their encounters had been secret and private, just them. He had no idea that she often slept next to Cassius on hard days or that she cared so little for propriety in front of others, that her coming out of a room with another man was nothing.

“Hello, Callan,” she purred, letting herself slide further into that place that she needed to be tonight. She could smell Sorin behind her. His ash and cedar scent seemed to caress her as if to say,I still see the stars.She stepped away from him, not sure she could do what needed to be done with him so close. Her eyes went to Cassius. “Were you followed?”

“Only by one of his,” he growled, jerking his head to Callan.

Callan glared at him, but before he could retort, Scarlett asked, “Finn or Sloan?”

“Finn,” Callan answered, his eyes flitting to her but then returning warily to Sorin.

“That,” Scarlett said, noting his gaze, “is General Renwell of your father’s armies. He is a friend, Callan.” She crossed the room, taking his hand. She hooked a finger under his chin and brought his eyes to hers. “Relax, Prince,” she cooed softly. “No one knows you are here who shouldn’t, unless Finn and Sloan can’t keep their mouths shut.”

“They can and will,” he said through gritted teeth.

“I hope so,” she said a bit sharply.

Callan raised a brow. “You do not trust them?”

“I do not trust anyone outside the people in this room,” she answered darkly.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “You cannot honestly believe either one of them would say anything. After all this time?”

“Finn? No. Sloan? He’s an ass,” Scarlett answered. She tugged his hand gently to lead him farther into the room, but he resisted. She studied his hazel eyes, cocking her head slightly. “What is wrong?” she asked, her tone going tender.

“I have information for you.”

“I know. That’s why we’re here.”

Callan shook his head. “I will not tell you in front of everyone here.” His eyes went from her to Nuri to Sorin.

“I have them here for a reason, Callan. They’re my friends. They are helping me. They need to hear it, too.”

“No,” he said. “I will tell you, and you can tell them if you wish, but I think you should hear it yourself before you make that decision.”

“Callan—”

“No.” His voice rang with authority. The voice of the Crown Prince of Windonelle.

Cassius stiffened beside them, and she saw Sorin casually slide his hands in range of his weapons. Nuri pushed off from the wall and stretched her arms dramatically above her head. Callan noted all their movements, going slightly pale.

Scarlett sighed. “So protective of me, aren’t they?”

“I was not aware you needed protection,” Callan retorted.

“I don’t,” she said pointedly, looking amongst her three companions. “But they’re all like mother hens. Come, Prince,” she said, tugging the hand she was holding. Still, he resisted.

Delightful. Tonight, of all nights, he was choosing to be stubborn.

Fighting the urge to sigh in resignation at what she must now do, she stepped close, releasing his hand and running her own up his arm. She rose up onto her tiptoes to whisper into his ear. “Come with me, Callan. Come tell me what you’ve learned, and I’ll share some new things I’ve learned.” Her voice was low and sultry, and she nipped playfully at his ear as she again took his hand and led him toward the spare bedroom. She heard Nuri’s low chuckle as she shut the door behind her.

“I told you to prepare yourself,” Scarlett heard her say.

She tuned it out as she turned to face Callan.

He visibly relaxed at the click of the door, unclasping his cloak and laying it over a chair near the window. “Come here.”

A coy smile danced across her lips. “We are not in your rooms, my dear Prince,” she said, leaning against the door instead. “You get very loud.”