I pause again when I hear my name on Willem’s lips. I’ve grown so used to hearing him call me ‘mortal’ or ‘useless,’ or some other cruel moniker, that I never thought I’d hear him use my real name again.
He runs a hand through his hair as he exhales sharply. “With the crown he’ll be dangerous and unstoppable. Killing him will save the lives of many.”
“He can change,” I say, playing up the naivety that both Willem and Aiden expect.
Willem rolls his eyes. “He isn’t a good person. If he hasn’t changed yet, what makes you think it’s even possible? What makes you think that you can change him where everyone else has failed?”
I lower my head and tug my cowl over my face, trying to appear small and saddened by Willem’s words, but I’m anything but either of those things at the moment. In fact, I know for certain that I trust Kane far more than I trust Willem. Even if there is truth in what he says, Kane doesn’t deserve to die.
I’ve seen enough good in him to know that he has the ability to show compassion. “So, what happens after he dies?”
“Don’t you worry about that. Just do as you’re told. I won’t reveal your plan to Kane if you keep your mouth shut about our little conversation,” Willem says with a dark threat lacing his voice. “I don’t want to hurt you, Briar, but I will if I have to. I’ll run right to Kane and tell him all about your scheming. And who do you think he’ll believe? Me, his loyal second in command, or you? You know the answer, just look how you react over a simple disagreement.”
“I’m...I’m not sure. What if I’m too afraid?” The tremble in my voice is real. As is the sincerity of my question.
Willem reaches out and snatches the cowl from my head. I act on instinct, slicing open his arm with the sharp point of my dagger. He flinches back, shock evident on his face at the pain my blade inflicts.
“Do as I say and I won’t tell Kane,” he says once more. I sheath the dagger and follow him to where Kane waits for us at the end of the trail.
With a suspicious tone, Kane glares at the two of us. “Where were you?”
I speak without pause, knowing he will be looking for lies. “I had to relieve myself and Willem stayed behind to make sure I didn’t get lost.”
Kane eyes the healing cut on Willem’s arm.
“Elluine is a vicious lover. You know how vampire females can get,” the Reaper lies smoothly.
I never knew he could heal so quickly, but clearly Kane took him at his word. Within seconds we were back on the trail and heading toward the coast.
Here I am, once again stuck between my feelings for Kane and the plots against his life. Aside from Aiden, Willem, and myself, there appears to be far more players in this game of life and death than ever before. Someone sent those assassins after Kane. I need to find out who and I need to work quickly, but for now I must play along with whatever Willem has planned or else I risk exposing myself.
When my horse rides up beside Kane’s mount, I crane my neck up at him and say, “I’m sorry for losing my mind back in Phaendar. I just want you to know that I care.”
He shifts uncomfortably in his saddle. Is it so hard to believe that someone actually cares about him? I feel a twinge of pity mingle with the chaotic mixture of my emotions. Kane looks around for a moment and then places the quickest, sweetest peck on my lips. I can’t help but blush and smile. Though the kiss was not our most passionate, it was a kiss full of apology and that’s all I’ve ever wanted from Kane.
I don’t need the words ‘I’m sorry’ or an extravagant gesture. All I need is him and the knowledge that he feels remorse and empathy. No evil being can feel empathy.
Chapter 12
Kane
The coastline is a flat expansion of gray sands before the land fades into sharp, jagged rocks. All of the plants are covered in thorns and smell like a demon took off its boots after a long day of working in the mines. My stomach clenches in protest, but my sudden nausea is nothing in comparison to how Briar looks. Her skin is ashen, bereft of the pink flush I’ve grown to adore. Dark circles rest beneath her eyes and she seems more distant than normal.
“I’m sure she’s just lost in thought,” Willem supplies. “She’s used to servants taking care of her and people to keep her entertained. It’s probably boredom.”
I shake my head. “I’ve never seen her like this. Not even when she’s angry.”
He pats my shoulder with a smile. “Don’t think too hard about it. She’ll come around.”
My eyes bore into the side of Willem’s face. “Since when are you so encouraging?”
“I’m not, alright,” the Reaper snorts. “Just tired of you two going back and forth about who hurt whose feelings the worst and overthink everything. I did it to save my poor ears. Nothing more.”
Willem shrugs and I shake my head to clear my mind.
I can’t allow Briar to distract me anymore than she already is. The map rustles in the wind as I search for the small fishing village visited long before I became Death. Briar stares down at the sand and I can hear her counting the seashells as we pass. It brings a smile to my face until I realize just how exhausted she appears. “Briar, what’s wrong?”
“I can see the village up ahead,” she replies, thoroughly changing the subject.
I follow her gaze, seeing the small weathered buildings in the distance. Nodding, I click my tongue, moving both our horses faster down the beach. We reach the small settlement soon after. Willem tends to the
