Reign of Darkness (The Prince's Assassin #2) - Ariana Nash Page 0,103
his way. He reached around Niko and lathered the soap in one hand, then applied the suds to Niko’s unruly beard, catching Niko’s gaze in the mirror.
“Do you trust me?” Vasili asked, picking up the razor.
“Rarely,” Niko grumbled, voice rough.
Vasili shifted his hips, and the hardness of his cock nestled between Niko’s ass cheeks, tearing a small hiss from between Niko’s teeth. He hadn’t even considered whether Vasili would want to fuck him like this, from behind… Lust tightened Niko’s balls and made his cock ache.
“Wise.” One hand gripped Niko’s jaw while the other dragged the cool blade down Niko’s cheek. Vasili’s pink tongue moistened his lips. Niko gripped the edge of the washbasin to keep from turning and devouring him.
In the mirror, the marvel of Vasili stood behind him without his barriers. Beautiful, seductive, alluring. And before Niko could stop himself, he whispered, “I wish I could take you away somewhere.”
“I’d stop you.” The blade swept a fresh line clear of soap and whiskers.
“I know.” A foolish confession. But true. Lady Maria, so long ago now it felt like a lifetime, had told him to take Vasili away. Back then, it would have been to bury his body in the woods. But now? He knew how much the prince ached for freedom, and he knew the man he’d be once he was free, and that man was full of laughter and color and light. That man made Niko’s heart soar.
The clean edge of the blade returned to Niko’s jaw and slipped easily under his chin, gliding down his neck. “When all this is over,” Vasili whispered, gaze flicking up again, “give me your word you’ll find someone. You’ll take him to a cottage you’ve built somewhere far away from all this. And you’ll live there, you and that good man, the man you deserve.” The blade stilled, its edge pressed tightly against Niko’s throat. Vasili’s reflected gaze looked deep into Niko’s. “Your word, Nikolas.”
Niko’s mouth dried. He should swallow, but the blade was too tight against his neck. Did Vasili care that Niko might one day find the ending the prince wanted for himself, or was this something else? Was he afraid to hope for such an ending? “When I find the man I deserve, I’ll rescue us both.” Whispering, he added, “You have my word, my prince.”
A carriage clattered loudly to a halt outside. The sounds of boots on cobbles drifted in through the window. Noises Niko distantly registered but promptly forgot.
Vasili stroked the razor down Niko’s neck, taking off the final suds. He tossed the razor into the bowl, dug his fingers into Niko’s right ass cheek, and shoved him forward. Niko barely braced himself before Vasili’s teeth nipped at the base of his neck.
“You must understand,” Vasili said breathlessly against his skin, his hand sinking around the front of Niko’s trousers. Fingers grasped Niko’s solid length, briefly dumping out all the thoughts from his head. “It’s all real. The cabin, what we have, all of it, Nikolas. It’s real, and I wish I were different, Niko. I wish it didn’t have to be this way.”
Why did he sound desperate, like he was hurting? “Vasili, what way—”
A fist thumped on the door. “Open up!”
Niko jolted at the intrusion. He shifted, tried to rise, but Vasili’s hand shoved harder, pinning him down. He swung his glare behind him and caught the raw look of fear on Vasili’s face. But that didn’t make any sense. Who was out there that he’d fear? And why wasn’t he damn well letting Niko up? “Vasili—” he hissed.
The door burst inward.
Vasili’s weight vanished.
Guards thundered in. Suddenly so loud and so many that it felt like an entire regiment had arrived.
Palace guards, Niko saw.
His blade, where was his damn blade? He scanned the room. His gaze snagged on Vasili. Why wasn’t he reacting, why was he backing away, why was he standing in the middle of the room like none of this was real, like the guards weren’t peeling around him, coming straight for Niko.
Because they weren’t here for Vasili.
Dread drove a cold, iron rod through Niko’s soul.
He knew what this was.
Vasili hadn’t stopped the messenger to ask for news, he’d sent a message to the palace.
Gods, no…
He kicked out at the first guard, sending him sprawling. A second swung for Niko. Niko ducked, snatched the razor from the bowl, and lunged—for Vasili.
The shock on the prince’s face was a wonderful thing. He didn’t move, didn’t lift a hand to defend himself, just stood