Page 71 of The Blade in the Ashes
Hyrax had sent a letter this morning requesting that we go riding together today.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
“I’ve been watching that guard watch you for what feels like an eternity,” I told Nessira over my shoulder as I began folding my hair into a plait down my back. She rushed forward to help me, but I brushed her away, wanting to feel in control of something. Even if it was only my hair. “If you offer that man a refreshing drink and a smile, he will take it. Trust me.”
She blinked a few times, lips pressing together nervously.
“Go now,” I told her, meeting her eyes in the mirror's reflection. “We don’t have much time.”
Nessira huffed somewhat uncomfortably, but left without another word of protest, pouring the tonic into a glass of whiskey and leaving me to heave the onyx crown onto my head. I folded the metal combs down into my hair, feeling the weight settle onto my neck.
My muscles would be aching by the time this day was over, but it would be worth it. I was sure of it.
So far, everything was going according to plan.
Dimitri had returned to my service last night with a gentle hug and a word of thanks. He’d agreed wholeheartedly when I told him what I intended to do. Nessira had listened anxiously as I explained it, chewing on her nails as she did, but eventually she nodded along too.
I glanced at the door, a fluttering urgency settling into my gut.
This was going to work.
Nessira would convince my second guard to drink the sleeping tonic, and then Dimitri would lock him away in my closet where no one would find him. Then, while I was out with Hyrax, distracting him for as long as I could, Dimitri and Nessira would take advantage of the God’s absence to search for the Book of the Gods.
Then, we would steal it.
An entire host of soldiers greeted me at the stables when I went to join Hyrax, each in that obnoxiously dark armor.
My father had also donned clothes suitable for riding—thick trousers and a cloak—and also wore an elaborate jet-black crown atop his head. The steed he had claimed was impossibly large and thickly muscled, a beast that seemed oddly appropriate for him. Netta, the horse I had taken a liking to when Clay had first taken me riding, was already saddled and waiting for me. She welcomed my touch as I approached.
Hyrax greeted me with a kiss pressed to each cheek. I stiffened against him, scratching at my nose and pretending that my discomfort was from the smell of the stables.
“My dear, you look divine.”
He always complimented my appearance when I dressed like this, either not noticing how different the styles were from my preferred gowns or taking extreme joy in the difference.
“I thought it would be just you and me?” I jerked my head pointedly toward the group of soldiers who pretended to busy themselves with preparing for the ride.
Hyrax gave me a sideways smile that was almost… playful. “That would have been nice, wouldn’t it? But alas, we will have to mix business and pleasure today.”
I frowned as he slid an arm over my shoulder, pulling me into an awkward sideways hug.
“What does that mean?” I asked, but his attention had already shifted to the man approaching us from the east.
“We’re ready to depart, my liege.”
Caldrius’ voice sent an uncomfortable chill racing down my spine.
He wore fine armor, recently shined and bearing Hyrax’s crest. For a moment, I was struck speechless by the sight of him. My gaze trailed down him, taking in every detail. I was accustomed to seeing him dressed comfortably in simple dark trousers and a tunic. I’d never actually seen him fully adorned in the armor of a general.
Although this armor, with its careful design and gold trim, looked more like that of a king.
“Why are you here?” I blurted.
Caldrius winked, pulling on Netta’s reins to bring her towards me. Hyrax released me, moving to his own horse while Caldrius checked on the strappings of Netta’s saddle. His fingers worked quickly.
“Hyrax requires my presence,” he answered, peering at me through the tendrils of dark waves that had fallen over his brow before his gaze dipped and he scanned over me with the same unabashed intensity I had just done to him. Lifting his chin to meet my gaze, he lifted a brow as he smirked, pointing at my outfit with a knowing glint in his eye. I smacked aside his hand with narrowed eyes.
“Why?” I took his outstretched hand, allowing him to support my weight and hold a hand against the small of my back as he helped me onto Netta.
