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But since admitting that would tarnish my victories, I didn’t feel inclined to do so. Or to let him forget them, either. I assessed my blade and returned to his question. “Hm, not at this particular moment, but I make no promises.”

There it was again, that harmonious laugh that caressed like velvet. It worked against my defenses. He exuded a level of ease and comfort, and the influence bled right through my walls. Maybe I didn’t need to be on such high alert around him. Maybe behind his mask and anonymity, there actually was someone who would have my back, someone who could help me with the admittedly overwhelming task at hand.

I’d be a fool to trust him completely, but I couldn’t fight the nagging feeling that I’d be equally foolish to refuse the partnership. “Let’s make something very clear here. I don’t need you. And, even though I don’t fully endorse this next statement, you don’t need me either. I won’t be taking orders from you. I want to find out who is orchestrating the kidnappings, and stop them. I won’t wait for you to catch up or let you slow me down. So don’t take my acceptance of your presence as anything other than just that. Acceptance. Not reliance.”

A gentle breeze drifted past us, but somehow the air thickened. I waited to see how he would respond.

Maybe I’d come off too harshly. I still hadn’t quite decided if I wanted him around or not, which way would play best to my advantage. Men didn’t appreciate a woman being so bold. They wanted someone meek, submissive, who didn’t cause them any trouble.

I could have just ruined my chances of having backup by not playing nice. My heartbeat strained in my chest as each tense second ticked by. I stood by what I said, though. I wouldn’t tolerate being treated less than, not with this, not when it was the only opportunity in my life to be free of others restrictions and restraints.

He never once broke our connection, as if heavily considering my offer. The wind held its breath. Then his hand appeared from the shadows between us, extended toward me. “Deal.”

My turn to remain unmoving. Accepting his hand meant something. It would sever the bonds of doubt we’d entangled ourselves in so far, clean our slates. We’d have to learn each other, discover how to move forward in this new dynamic. Not as passing threats in the night, but as a unit.

Suddenly my chest weighed heavy, as if my lungs were filled with seawater. I could walk away right now, never having fully committed, continuing my mission as I’d planned from the start.

But something about the man in front of me made me want to say yes. Made me not want to take this on alone. I reached out my hand, clasping his.

On the border of a calm sea, two vigilantes in the night struck a bargain, determined to stop the evil forces that plagued their town.

“Don’t make me regret this,” I said, our hands still bobbing like a ship on the waves.

“I could say the same. Well, since we’re partners now…” He reclined in the freezing sand, resting his hands behind him as he stared toward the open expanse of water. “I guess I should introduce myself. You can call me Chol.”

Chol. A name to attach to this newfound ally. “Like charcoal?”

He chuckled. “If that’s what it takes for you to remember it.” He broke his assessment of the ocean, ready and waiting to be introduced to his new masked confidante. “And what should I call you?”

Giving my actual name would be stupid. I supposed the one he gave me wasn’t actually his, either. We might have agreed to a ceasefire, but that didn’t mean unwavering trust.

“Ella. You can call me Ella.” I sank back, adjusting myself in the same position he had. We stared over the dark waters, perhaps both contemplating the decision we’d just made, and if it would lead to our success—or our downfall.

11

Nicholas

My nighttime activities meant losing sleep, and being a prince with an arranged marriage on the horizon, sleeping in wasn’t an option. The party planning, I could easily delegate. But Commander Druller and I worked very closely when it came to security detail and soldier allocation.

Sebastian never griped about my involvement, even though I doubted my father had required this level of detail. We met in the war room that morning, a private area where no prying eyes or ears could overhear the assignments.

Ricks had two luncheons planned already before the end of the week, and the increased foot traffic into the castle always posed a heightened level of risk.

“I’ll post two teams on either flank at the back end of the village on either side of the drawbridge. That way, we’ll block off access to any of the back entrances. Only one checkpoint will be an option so we can screen every entrant,” Sebastian said.

“Make sure to send orders for the guards to be pleasant. The young women and their chaperones don’t need intimidation. The amount of guardsmen is message enough,” I said. One of the biggest adjustments to ruling had been stepping into a kingdom used to operating under my father's instruction. Being so young when I claimed the throne, my panel of advisors cautioned me against implementing new strategies, especially ones that would change the view of the royal army in the eyes of the citizens. Sadly, that meant things mostly stayed the same; public executions, beatings for unruly personalities, all continuing under my reign for the sake of an intangible feeling.

Strength and fear have a similar flavor, one the palate of a kingdom can't decipher between. I hoped to change that, but knew it would take time. For events such as this, it was a good first step.

While I expected my soldiers to still be on high alert and execute due diligence, I knew a lot of the ladies-in-waiting would be nervous enough as it is. For most, it would be the first and only occasion they would step beyond the wall surrounding the castle and its tiny village. I didn’t need berating guards to ruin their experience.

With the casual grace he always possessed, Marco sauntered into the war room. Not a single word had been exchanged between him and the four guards posted outside the door since everyone knew he had unfettered access while he was here.

“Cousin!” I said in jovial greeting, nocking my teasing arrow. “Perfect timing. We were just figuring out what post you’ll be stationed at for the duration of the first luncheon. Tucked behind the castle, with several serious guards for eight hours. Sound good to you?” My shoulder blades pinched as I splayed my hands over the table and map.

“Cousin, you know I would never let you keep me from the wine. And the chance to watch you strike out with hundreds of women.” Arrow released, caught, and returned with a sensual, mocking ease.

His devilish grin became infectious, and I considered the repercussions of actually standing in the way of his wine and entertainment. As laid back as he often appeared, I knew he could easily fit into the role of a cunning leader.