“Would you rather try to escape?”
She tapped his hand once. At least they knew what the assassin looked like. If they killed him, Russek would probably send another one after them.
“Watch for an opportunity. Be ready.”
Allyssa tapped his hand once. The right side of her body suddenly became cold as he moved away. She didn’t hear a single sound except for the pounding of her own heart.
***
The Bizantek Forest loomed before them. “Are you taking us in there?” Allyssa asked incredulously. The trees were so close together it would be difficult for the horses to travel.
The assassin didn’t answer. The wind blew a strand of her hair loose. It landed across her nose. She let out a frustrated growl, unable to brush the hair off her face since her hands and legs were precariously tied to the horse. Thankfully, she was sitting upright. Jarvik’s position atop his horse was far worse than hers because his hands were tied around the animal’s neck, forcing him to lean forward. Every night when they stopped, he could barely stand because his back was so sore.
Allyssa couldn’t believe the grueling pace the assassin managed to maintain. They rode hard all day, only stopping once it was too dark to go any farther. He woke them at the first sign of dawn, and they were on the horses traveling again.
Since that first night, they hadn’t been lucky enough to find another cave. They were forced to sleep tied up under the stars in the frigid air, without a fire. She kept a close eye on the assassin and remained alert, waiting for Jarvik to signal it was time to act. If he didn’t make a move soon, she would.
The assassin pulled the lead ropes tighter, forcing the horses into a single-file line. When she glanced over her shoulder at Jarvik, he looked away from her. Every time they stopped to eat or sleep, he ignored her. It was almost as if they were back to when he first came to Emperion and they hated each other. The act was necessary so the assassin wouldn’t discover their feelings for one another. Still, it hurt to be so alone and helpless.
They entered the Bizantek Forest, and the temperature plummeted. The horses’ hooves sank into the soft mud from the sun not reaching the forest floor. Bright green moss grew on the tree trunks, making them look like living giants ready to swoop down and crush them at any moment. The assassin pulled the horses to an abrupt halt and unsheathed his dagger. Nothing appeared disconcerting. Birds chirped and leaves rustled.
And then she heard a person humming a joyful tune.
The assassin dismounted, not making a sound. A shiver ran through her body. As if sensing something was amiss, her horse snorted, becoming restless. The assassin tied all three horses to a nearby tree and slunk away, blending in with the forest.
As soon as he was out of sight, Jarvik yelled, “Run! Get away from here!” His voice rang out loud and clear, making several birds take flight. He fought against his restraints, cursing.
“Surely he won’t kill someone for being in the forest,” Allyssa said, a sick feeling overcoming her as she heard the absurdity of her own words—this man was an assassin.
Jarvik frantically worked on undoing his bindings. A moment later, his hands came free. Reaching down, he untied the rope around his ankles. Allyssa attempted to do the same. The rope chafed the tender skin around her wrists as she worked. A scream shattered through the forest. Everything went eerily still. Jarvik freed himself and slid off his horse. Rushing over to her, he undid her bindings and helped her off the horse.
A second scream rang out, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Jarvik grabbed her arm, dragging her in the opposite direction the assassin had gone.
“Wait,” she insisted. “There could be more people who need our help.”
His grip tightened. “We can’t risk it.”
“I beg to differ.” She knew this could be their best chance to escape. However, what kind of ruler was she if she left her own people at the mercy of an assassin? “Release me.”
He hesitated a moment and then complied. She ran after the assassin, Jarvik close behind. After thirty feet or so, she came upon the assassin. He was crouched on the ground, bent over the body of a small child who appeared to be only eight or so. The child’s neck had been slit, and blood coated the ground. A man lay a few feet away with his arm outstretched toward the child, a knife embedded in his chest. The assassin reached over and plucked the weapon free, wiping off the blood with a leaf.
Allyssa fell to her knees and vomited.
Chapter Two
Allyssa clutched the moist dirt and leaves, heaving in deep breaths. The assassin had just killed two of her people for no reason. As the initial shock wore off, pure fury filled her. How dare he? “Have you no heart? No soul?” She stood on shaky legs.
“Killing bothers you?” The assassin sheathed his knife. “I find that quite ironic.”
“Allyssa,” Jarvik said, forcing her attention to him. “What are you doing?”
While speaking, she had unknowingly drifted toward the assassin. Now, they stood only three feet apart, her hands balled into fists. Ignoring Jarvik’s pleading expression for her to be cautious, she said, “I have never taken the life of a person before.”
“You are a princess,” the assassin stated. “You execute people, send soldiers to fight, and kill anyone who threatens you.” He shrugged. “Giving the order to kill is the same thing as killing.” Grinning, he took a step toward her. “Just because you keep your hands clean doesn’t mean your soul is.”
She spun and kicked, aiming a bit lower than the assassin’s head, knowing he would duck. Sure enough, her foot connected with his ear, and he flew to the ground. She pounced on top of him, punching his stomach and head, wanting to hurt him for what he’d done to Grevik and these two innocent people. He thrust the tip of his knife into her side, and she grunted.
Clarity replaced anger and grief. She couldn’t outfight him. “You disgust me.”
In one fluid motion, he withdrew the knife, grabbed her wrists, and flipped her body off his and onto the ground, so he straddled her. They stayed in that position, staring at one another with undiluted hatred for a full minute before the assassin sprang to his feet. “You’re just like me, even if you don’t understand it yet. And when you make the decision to kill to protect someone you love, you’ll remember this conversation.”
Allyssa scrambled to her feet, brushing herself off. The assassin cursed. Jarvik was nowhere to be seen. He wouldn’t escape without her, would he? The assassin grabbed her arm harder than necessary, dragging her back through the forest. When they reached the spot where the horses should be, Jarvik stood there, the animals nowhere in sight.
“Where are the horses?” the assassin demanded, his voice low and deadly.