Page 18 of Maneater

“Don’t move. Don’t scream. If you do, I’ll kill you.”

Leya’s eyes widened in shock as she saw me, her mouth falling open in stunned silence.

The blade in my hand caught the light from the lantern on her workbench as I stepped closer.

The distance between us vanished, and the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.

Slowly, I directed the tip of my knife toward her chest. The thin fabric of her dress offered little protection.

I pressed it just beneath her breastbone, tilting my head in a calm, almost casual manner.

“In just a few moments, Sir Regis will arrive with three men,” I explained.

“When he does, you’ll put on your cloak”—I nodded toward the one draped over the chair, a perfect match to mine—“and tell them you stepped outside for some fresh air because you felt faint. Explain that the men with Sir Regis accused you of treason, pressuring you to remove your cloak and labeling you a stowaway. Make it clear that they dared to treat the prince’s courtesan with a level of disrespect you’ve never experienced before. ”

“What in the gods’ name are you talking about,” Leya hissed .

“Do as I told you.” I applied pressure to the blade, and she went quiet. “Got it?”

A knock came at the carriage door, followed by Sir Regis’s voice. “Lady Leya! Is everything alright? I was told you called for me.”

I turned to her, pointing at the cloak draped over the chair. “Put it on. Now. And don’t try anything.”

Leya’s hands shook as she grabbed the cloak, fastening it around her neck while glaring at me.

The knock on the door grew louder, Sir Regis calling her name once more.

Her eyes briefly flicked past me, and without warning, she darted toward the door.

But before she could open it, I drew a shimmering length of silk from beneath my cloak.

My voice was cold as I asked, “Is this really the choice you want to make, Leya?”

She stopped dead, her eyes darting over the fabric in my hand.

“I’m disappointed,” I said flatly. “I expected more from you.”

Her words came out in a hesitant breath. “How… how do you have that?”

“You only have the one, don’t you?” I said quietly, my eyes lingering on the delicate silk.

“I’d almost forgotten that the prince gave you just a single one, while I was given thirteen.

” My blade traced slowly over one of the crystalline beads woven into the robe’s emerald threads.

“I must admit, he never gave me one in this color before.”

“My lady! If you do not respond, I will be forced to enter!” Sir Regis echoed from outside.

“The choice is yours,” I said, voice lowering. “Such a shame to ruin something so rare.” I clicked my tongue. “But I’m curious to see how cleanly it cuts.”

Leya hesitated, her mouth opening and closing, caught between defiance and defeat. My patience wore thin, and with a flick of my wrist, the blade sliced through a single bead. It skittered across the floor, the sharp clink shattering the silence.

At the sound, Leya’s face twisted with anguish .

“I’m coming in!” Sir Regis bellowed.

I tilted my head, raising an eyebrow. Leya exhaled sharply, then her shoulders slumped in surrender.

“Sir Regis!” she called, her tone now commanding. “Stand down! I’ll be out shortly.”

As Leya moved to open the door and step out of the coach, I quickly ducked behind a large chest, covering myself with a fur pelt.

The coach was lined with at least a dozen, undoubtedly arranged by Leya herself.

I held my breath, staying as still and silent as I could, straining to listen to the voices outside.

“Is this how you believe a royal courtesan of the prince should be treated?” Leya demanded.

“As I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t feeling well and stepped out of the coach for some air.

Now that Sir Regis is here, I’ve identified myself.

Forcing me to remove my hood, or anything else, is an insult to my station and beyond your authority.

His Highness will hear of this behavior. ”

“My lady, please,” Hamon replied. “Our only concern was your safety.”

“Safety?” Leya scoffed. “You accuse me of treason and brand me a stowaway. What kind of safety is there in such humiliation?”

“Allow me to handle this, my lady,” Sir Regis interjected, his tone stern. “I will deal with these men and correct their misconduct.” He then softened his voice. “Please, rest. The road to Torhiel will be long and unforgiving.”

Without waiting for a response, the knight turned to the three men, launching into a speech about propriety and the disgrace of their actions. Leya let out a sharp humph before stepping back into the carriage and slamming the door with more force than necessary.

We remained silent, waiting as Sir Regis escorted the men away. Only once I was sure they had gone did I slip out from beneath the pelt, and as I straightened, Leya spun around to face me .

“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped, barely holding back her anger. “I did what you asked. Now give it back.”

I raised the blade to the silk robe again, and she stilled.

“I’ll return it once you’ve listened,” I said steadily. “I’ll make it brief, and I expect no interruptions. Is that clear?”

Her jaw tightened, but after a moment, she gave a slow, reluctant nod.

“I have no intention of going to Torhiel with you, nor do I want to stand in your way with the prince. Hyrall means nothing to me,” I started.

“I’m leaving this castle, and I won’t be coming back.

You won’t say a word to the guards, the prince, or anyone else, because my absence will only benefit you.

Once we reach the outskirts, I’ll disappear, and you’ll never have to deal with me again.

The prince will favor you, just as you wanted, and everything will be as it should. ”

Leya’s expression remained hesitant, but I could see her considering my words carefully.

“If you turn me in, I’ll make sure you’re blamed too,” I added.

“I’ll tell the prince you helped me escape, that you were jealous and wanted me gone.

I’ll say you plotted with Rosette and Imogen to get me out.

Maybe he’ll believe me, maybe he won’t. But either way, we’d all be accused of treason and discarded.

He’d just replace us with new girls in the end. ”

Leya’s expression shifted as my words sank in. Her brow furrowed, thoughts clearly racing behind her eyes. She let out a frustrated breath, walked over to the cot, and sank down heavily, hiding her face in her hands. After a moment, she rubbed her temples and looked up at me.

“You’re really leaving?” she asked.

“I am,” I answered.

“Why?”

“Because I hate it here.”

“Where will you go? ”

“That doesn’t matter,” I said. “As long as I’m free.”

Leya sighed in frustration, shaking her head. “Fine.”

“Fine?” I echoed.

“I won’t say anything about you. We’ll reach the outskirts, and you’ll leave. You’ll never come back,” she repeated, almost as if to reassure herself. “Did anyone see you near the carriages?”

“No. Well, aside from the three men with Sir Regis. But you took care of that, didn’t you?” I arched a brow with the words.

She bit her lip, holding back her tongue. “Because of you, my life is at risk now. Are you absolutely sure?”

“Nobody saw me come to the carriages. I told my squire I was heading to the royal abbey for the solstice blessing. I lost him in the crowd there.”

Leya seemed to relax a bit, the tension easing when she heard that. But then a frown crossed her face. “A squire? When did you get a squire?”

“Sir Karst was also ordered to accompany the prince to Torhiel. The squire is his replacement.”

Despite the tension between us, Leya looked mildly amused. “Sir Karst assigned a squire for your protection in his place? How embarrassing.”

“Actually, it was the prince’s order,” I corrected.

“Please, spare me the theatrics tonight.” Leya let out a dry huff. “The prince would never do that to his favored.”

“It’s the truth.” I shrugged. “I made him upset.”

“Oh.” She studied me for a moment, skepticism in her eyes. “Well, if that’s the case, I suppose you’ve brought this on yourself.”

“If you say so.”

We both turned at the sound of shuffling outside the coach.

A few loud shouts echoed, followed by a heavy thump near the front.

The coach rocked slightly, as if someone had just settled into the box seat.

Soon, horses whinnied, and the carriage lurched forward with a sudden jolt.

The wheels began to spin, and my heart skipped a beat.

Was this really happening? Or was I imagining it all? I glanced at Leya, and the weight of it hit me. This was real.

For the first time in ages, something inside me flickered to life.

Maybe, just maybe, I’d see Brier Len again.