The Traitor's Kiss (Traitor's Trilogy #1)

And it had been Ash Carter.

He’d always been fascinated by the ledger. Before, she assumed it had to do with his inability to read, but in retrospect every minute they’d spent together had been about getting closer to it. And he wasn’t the only one. Lieutenant Casseck had kept her from going back to her room early. She also knew enough about the army to understand neither would have acted without the direction of their captain, whom Casseck had said approved Ash’s charade back on the day they left Galarick.

Sage finished her breakfast quickly and left Clare with a mumbled excuse about going for a walk. She stormed to the garden, hoping to burn off some of her restless energy, but it only reminded her of Casseck walking with her last night. The soldiers were just like the people in Garland Hill—only nice because they wanted something. She’d been a fool not to see it.

Distracted by her thoughts, she turned around a hedge and nearly collided with a man.

“Lady Sagerra,” Private Carter said with an eager smile. “I was hoping to find you for a reading lesson today.”

“I almost didn’t recognize you,” she said, looking him up and down. He wore the all-black clothing of a rider rather than the brown vest and linen shirt she was used to. His hands were scrubbed clean and his black hair had been trimmed, too, making him look older.

Ash grinned and lifted his arms to better show her his uniform. The outfit wasn’t new—the wear in places told Sage it was over a year old at least. Her anger surged. Just how much about him had been a lie?

“I’ve been promoted to sergeant. No more wagons for me.” He dropped his arms. “And I have you to thank for it, my lady.”

“How so?”

The coldness in her voice seemed to catch him off guard, and he took a step back. “Captain Quinn said my effort to better myself made me stand out.”

“And you want to continue that?”

“If your ladyship wishes to continue.” Ash eyed her warily.

“Then there’s no time like the present.” Sage turned on her heel and stalked away as he scrambled to follow. He didn’t try to make conversation as she led him into the castle.

In the library, away from the eyes of passing servants, Ash closed the door behind them. “Is something wrong, my lady?” he asked.

“You tell me,” Sage said, walking over to a writing table. “I’d like you to try something before we start.” She pulled a scrap of paper from the stack on a desk and used a stick of charcoal to write two sentences. Then she turned and handed it to him. “Read this aloud, please.”

His dark eyes widened as they fell on her script. There was a tremor in his voice as he obeyed. “I’ve been lying to you. I already know how to read.”

Sage crossed her arms. She’d thought hearing him say it would make her feel better, but it didn’t. “Feel free to explain yourself. Start at the beginning, with the night we met.”

He lowered the paper and swallowed. “I was ordered to observe the ladies.”

That didn’t surprise her at all. “So you’re a spy.”

“Of sorts, my lady.”

“I don’t understand,” she said. “Why spy on us, on me?”

Ash pressed his lips together. “I was to make a connection within the group for Captain Quinn so I could report anything unusual.”

Sage’s stomach twisted. “So that’s what I was.”

“No,” he said quickly, then grimaced. “Well, yes. I didn’t want to use you, but then you offered to teach me to read, and Lieutenant Casseck saw it as an opportunity.” He paused and added, “So did Captain Quinn.”

Her eyes burned. “Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to know I spent days looking like a fool?”

Ash ducked his head. “Is it any worse than pretending to be illiterate and ignorant? At least your intentions were honorable.”

But they hadn’t been. Sage had wanted to help him, yes, but she’d also wanted information for Darnessa. Another thought occurred to her. “You weren’t just promoted, were you? You were always a sergeant and a rider.”

He nodded. “It’s just easier to move around as a private. No one pays any attention to you.”

She should have suspected that. So many of his mannerisms hadn’t matched such a low rank. But she had liked him too much, and so had never believed he would lie to her.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” he whispered. “I was only following orders. I hated every minute of it. Well…” He looked up with a sheepish smile. “I did enjoy your company.”

How different, really, was he from her? Just because she was good at pulling information from men didn’t mean she enjoyed it. Spirit above, she’d even resorted to manipulating Charlie.

Sage cleared her throat. “That’s not the only thing.” She gave him a piercing look. “Last night someone broke into my room and read through my ledger.”

All the color drained from his face. She’d been right. It was him.

“Why?” She tried to hold on to her anger but only heard hurt in her voice.

Ash held his palms up, pleading. “You asked so many questions. You were always writing observations. To a soldier it looks…”

“Like spying,” she finished. “Especially if that’s what you’re doing.”

He nodded miserably. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to.”

That first night she’d talked about following orders, and he’d been so upset. She had thought he was overreacting, but now she realized she’d hit a nerve. What else had the captain made him do?

“I wanted to clear your name, though,” he said. “And with what the captain discovered, we needed to know for sure.”

Sage straightened. Casseck had dodged her questions last night, but here was an opportunity to force some answers. Then she winced. Who was the real manipulator here? “I already know there’s some kind of danger. What’s going on?”

He shook his head. “I can’t tell you. I don’t even know everything. My job was just to find someone to trust.”

“How can I trust you, Ash Carter? You lied to me for days.”

His shoulders sagged. “I suppose you can’t.”

Sage felt a sudden pity. He’d failed in his mission, though he’d only followed orders. “Why was the captain looking for someone to trust?” she asked quietly.

“He wanted a contact we could come to if there was trouble or who could find me if they heard something strange.” He looked down at the crumpled paper in his hand. “But you’re right. I ruined that. I’m sorry.” Ash took a step backward. “If your ladyship will excuse me, I’ll leave now.”

“Wait,” she said, guilt welling up inside at the awareness of her own lies. This would be so much easier if she could tell him she was just as common as him. But would they still want her if they knew she wasn’t a lady? “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

Ash shrugged. “I still have time to make friends with one of the maids. It will just be harder now that I’m riding again.”

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