Page 33 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

Solei smirked. “You can fuck them silly. It makes them easier to manipulate. Just don’t fall for one. Or I’ll have to kill him.”

I shook my head. “I’m not ready yet.”

Her expression sobered.

“You have to get over Remy sometime, Ashe. He would have moved on if it had been you.”

I winced. Harsh, but likely true.

Assassins were not the kind to stay celibate. Once Remy had finally made his way to my bed, I only slept alone if he was on assignment.

I checked the time. “Gerane said a half-hour. I have to go.”

Solei winked as I briskly walked toward the stairs leading back to the tavern.

By the time I returned to the training grounds, my squad was already gathered at the ring.

Jax stood with his arms crossed, watching Cordelle attempt—and fail spectacularly—to execute a basic combat maneuver.

“No, no, no,” Jax groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. “Cordelle, you’re not writing poetry, you’re throwing a punch. Stop flicking your wrist like you’re signing a damn love letter.”

Cordelle huffed, adjusting his stance. “Excuse me for not being born a brawler.”

I smirked, momentarily amused before my mind drifted back to my father’s office, to the secrets he had unraveled.

The royal vault. A traitor in the castle. A lifetime of carefully constructed lies.

I clenched my fists.

I had always discussed my concerns with Solei or Remy.

Now, I had nobody.

I glanced toward Riven, debating whether to confide in her. She was smart, steady, and out of everyone in my squad, she was the one I trusted the most.

But trust was a dangerous thing.

Especially now.

I pushed the thought away and tried to focus, shaking off the feeling of unease curling in my gut.

Then Naia approached me.

Her dark eyes narrowed, calculating. “Where did you go?”

I stiffened, caught completely off guard. “What?”

“You left the castle grounds,” she said, matter-of-factly.

My body stiffened, but I kept my expression neutral. How in the name of Charrem did she know?

“I had orders,” I lied smoothly.

Naia snorted, crossing her arms. “Bullshit.”

Tension thickened between us, the accusation clear in her tone.

Before I could figure out how to deflect, Riven stepped in.