∞∞∞
The gods, indeed, seemed to be watching over them. Not only were they able to sneak through the shadows virtually unseen, but as they approached the stables, the guard began to groan, shifting in Jaren’s hold.
The second they made it safely under the structure, he tossed him unceremoniously to the ground. Angry gray eyes bore into him, and he shrugged.
“Full stable. Looks like your luck is holding out, little star. He needs to be ready by the time I bring them out, or he stays.”
Giving them a false sense of privacy, he tapped into his hearing while he prepped two decent-looking mares. He needed to be sure they didn’t try to hatch some absurd plan to stab him in the back. If he happened to hear anything else—like her name—even better.
“I’m so sorry, Trey.”
“No, I’m sorry. Anything could have happened to you while I was out. Are you alright?”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. How are you feeling?”
“Rejuvenated.”
A small huff of laughter. “You’re an idiot.”
“I’m pretty sure out of the two of us, you fit that description a little more than me right now.”
A heavy pause. “I have to do this, Trey. I did it to save your life, but also because I’m shamelessly selfish. I want answers.”
“I get it. Your life over mine. I’m with you.” A slight shuffle, as if he’d moved closer…
Fuck that.
“Let’s move,” Jaren threw their way as he led the two mares out into the open night air.
He glared at them as they approached, sneering his displeasure at the guard before handing him the reins to the smaller mare. Then he tipped his head back and curled his finger in her direction.
“You ride with me.”
She shuffled closer to the guard. “No, thank you.”
“I wasn’t asking.”
As she opened her mouth—no doubt to voice another pointless protest—he cut her off, “You. Ride. With. Me.”
And gods dammit if a zap of adrenaline didn’t spike through his stupid ass when she held her ground in a firm stare-off. Jaren’s look might have turned a little unhinged because she seemed to conclude that he wasn’t going to change his mind.
Grumbling in defeat, she conceded with an exaggerated roll of her eyes, and the sight had the predator in him purring at the thrill of exerting his dominance over her. Schooling his expression as she stomped toward him was a feat in itself.
On instinct, he reached out to help her mount, but the vixen slapped his hand and launched herself up onto the mare. She turned away from him, but that didn’t prevent him from catching the flinch she tried to hide. She was still wounded, and it was annoying how much it bothered him.
Fixing a carefully blank gaze on him, she arched an eyebrow and asked, “So, what now?”
“Unless the love tap to my head warped my ability to gauge time, I’d estimate a shift change should be occurring within the hour, probably half.” Jaren felt the loss of her stare as she turned her attention to Trey. He spoke reluctantly, understandably unhappy about providing Jaren with any form of intel.
“If the goal is to leave the capital, the eastern gate is the best choice since we station the grunts there at night.”
Jaren swallowed down his irritation and nodded to indicate he heard. The information was useful, but that didn’t mean he wanted to feel fucking grateful for it. The man would have a dagger in his chest and a beast chewing on his corpse if Jaren had his way.
“Slide forward, little star.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she complied. With one quick push, he heaved himself up and over the back of the horse to straddle her body with his own. Pure, male satisfaction rumbled deep in his chest at how perfectly she fit.
Given he was almost a foot taller, her head didn’t quite reach his chin. If she leaned back into him, he could hold her against his chest without impeding his ability to scout or ride at all.
She tried scooting forward to separate them, but the movement only succeeded in rubbing her ass against him in a way that nearly had him groaning. Catching Trey’s scowl, Jaren couldn’t stop himself from flashing an arrogant smile.
He reached around her and she stiffened, looking back, and snaring him with those gray eyes. It only lasted a moment before she faced front again, but it was enough to shoot fire through his veins.
Gripping the reins tighter than necessary, he guided their dark mare out onto the cobbled street. He needed to get his shit together before she felt more than just his legs against her. He was positive she’d stab him if she knew half the images he’d just conjured up in his head.
Instead, he ignored the warmth of her body and urged them to move faster toward the edge of the city, Trey keeping pace at their side.
“Emperor Matheris doesn’t enforce strict tabs on the people who choose to leave. He cares more about who comes in.” He aimed a pointed look Jaren’s way. “If we approach during the shift change, I doubt we’ll get more than a cursory glance. But we’ll definitely be noticed when I bring you back, so you need to be prepared for that.”
Her small body jolted back, and instinct had Jaren whipping an arm to hover over a dagger. But then he noticed what she was staring at. Who she was staring at.
“You took off your mask!”
Trey smiled at her, his teeth a vivid white against his skin. And to Jaren’s irritation, a carefree laugh burst from her lips.
“I knew it. I knew you’d have an amazing smile. I’m honestly surprised they let you join the guard at all with a face like that.”
“Why is that?” Jaren asked, succumbing to his desire to draw her attention back over. She looked up at him and her lips quirked.
“Didn’t you know? Women aren’t allowed to join the Matherin guard. Since a lack of capability and skill is obviously not the reason, I assumed it had to do with some inane requirement to look masculine.”
Trey raised an eyebrow and scoffed, “Are you saying I look feminine?”
“You’re definitely too pretty.” She laughed, and dammit if the sound didn’t make Jaren draw in a little closer. Thankfully, before Trey could resume flirting, the gate appeared in the distance. They all went on alert.
“You’re still in uniform, Trey. And your pretty face won’t distract anyone from your sword.” Untying her cloak, she tossed it at him. “These guards won’t recognize me, and I can blend in far better than you.”
Murmuring his agreement, Trey threw the cloak over his form and weapon. It would’ve been too small if he’d been standing, but it worked well enough on horseback.
His attention still on the man next to him, Jaren didn’t register her movement until her entire form had already leaned into him. As the back of her head tucked next to his neck, he inhaled sharply, and her scent slammed down his throat. He froze, grinding his jaw back and forth.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.