much on Ky’s shoulders. He bore the weight of it alone. “He sits at home on his throne and gives the orders while you carry them out. I don’t think I like him.” Probably not smart to criticize the man.
“My family has always served.” Matter of fact with no room for questioning.
Tradition, honor, and family—all things she’d coveted but knew little about. And now she never would. She’d put a Gravasian in harm’s way, and payment was being demanded for her action.
“Damn Balthazar.” He had more lives than an ancient Terran cat, which was rumored to have nine, avoiding death while those he involved in his schemes perished.
Ky ran the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. “Yet if he had not involved you, we would never have met. I cannot regret that.”
Gods, this entire situation was totally fucked up. “I’m glad we met, but I don’t want to die. Let me take the girls and run. You’ll never see us again.”
He shook his head. “I cannot do that.”
It had been too much to hope for. After all, they barely knew each other. Sure, there was a sizzling attraction between them, but there hadn’t been time to discover more. And now there never would be.
“Can you… Can you save the girls?” Desperation clawed at her. “I’ll do anything you want. Help you trap Balthazar.”
“You’d betray your brother?”
A snarl of fury erupted from her. “He’s related by the blood of Helldrick, but he’s no brother, as Helldrick has never been a father. But the girls, they’re innocent and sweet. I was a second mother to them.”
“Yet, you left them.”
The verbal jab hit hard. She dropped her hands and would have climbed off his lap if he hadn’t caught her around the waist, anchoring her there.
“I had no choice. I had to get free and find a safe place so I could send for them. I’m not their mother, but she’s gone now. That makes them mine.” Her breath was coming too fast. She forced herself to take several deep ones. “I’m all they have.”
What was he thinking? He seemed so remote and alone. But he’d had to be, hadn’t he? This man had killed. Not like the men in her family, for money and profit. No, Ky had killed for honor and country, because he was fighting for something bigger than himself.
“I don’t want to die.” The reality of the situation sank into her bones. Her body began to tremble, her teeth chattered. All the heat had drained from her.
On a groan of pain, he dragged her close and buried his face in her neck. “I don’t want to have to kill you.” His big body shuddered. They clung to each other, two lost souls battered by an uncaring universe.
Some would say their meeting was fated, that their paths were set and could not be altered.
Fuck that.
She pulled back and cupped his face, the light stubble of his jaw prickling against her skin. “Then don’t. We’re both intelligent. There has to be a way your honor and that of your king can be served so I can live and save the girls, get them away from this life.”
His dark eyes were shuttered. Did he think she was playing him?
“You want to know the truth. Your king wants that. I can help you get it.” It was a long shot, but it was better than giving up. “We won’t know until we try.” She rubbed her lips together. Inspiration hit. “If we fail, take me back to Gravas with the girls. Find a safe home for them and hand me over to your king. That way, you’re not responsible for what happens to me.”
“Why do you care?”
“I don’t know.” She brushed his thick black hair away from his face. “I should be terrified of you or repelled by who and what you are.” The flinch was subtle but there. “But I’m drawn to you. You’re a survivor just as I am. Life hasn’t been kind to either of us.”
“You’re telling the truth.” There was wonder in his voice. Certainty, too.
“You can tell?”
“Yes.” That was it. He offered no more. He was so used to keeping himself closed off from others. She got it. She was the same with everyone but her sisters. Inviting people into your life and heart made you vulnerable, gave you a weakness that could be exploited.
“I won’t run.” There was no point. “Promise you won’t kill me. Let someone else do it.”
“I’m an assassin and you’re one