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“How?” I ask.
“I told them there was a wicked thief attempting to steal from the floor below.”
A small smile spreads across my lips. “And they believed you so easily?”
“I can beveryconvincing when I want to be. And if I were to take a guess, by the time they eventually figure out it was all a ruse, I would assume it would buy you enough time to return to your room. Hopefullyalone.” He gives me a hopeful yet pointed look. “With a new bottle of wine in hand.”
“I could have just left the way I came.” Especially now with most of my injuries healed thanks to the stone.
“But I would hate for anything to happen to you. Especially when I can’t wait to see your skill with a weapon in your hand.”
I feel excitement bubble up inside me at the thought. “You’ll be watching?”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he says with a husky voice.
I move to the door, peeking out to find the hallway empty before turning back to find him right beside me.
“Does my new friend have a name?” I ask.
Warmth seeps into his eyes as he watches me. “Asra.”
Feeling bold, I lean forward and place a kiss on the side of his cheek. “Thank you, Asra.”
I quickly turn and head out, the bottle of wine safely in the palm of my hand.
“Make sure you give them hell,” Asra shouts out from behind me.
“Oh, I intend to,” I assure him without looking back, and his deep chuckle follows me down the hall.
CHAPTER 15
The halls are left vacant after Asra’s little gesture, ensuring I have time to do what Oryn and I had planned.
Stealing a cloak off one of the guards’ chairs in the hall, I move with haste, halfway to the other side of the palace when I overhear a guard being invited to a celebratory occasion in Haddon’s rooms, and I silently thank the gods for my luck.
I thought I would have to wander the halls for a while before finding his room, but maybe the guards might lead me to it instead.
Following them, I keep my distance and eyes watchful as they make their way to what I hope is Haddon’s room. We pass the entrance to the arena before coming to an open corridor.
Loud, boisterous shouts echo across the area, giving me hope that I am exactly where I need to be.
With no way to conceal myself from them, I wait a moment and stay in the hallway, giving it a couple of minutes for the guards to pass through before pulling my hood over me and following them down a dark brick stairwell.
It opens up to a large common room with tables spread out around the space. There are four doors, two on each side of the room. One is open, revealing a sleeping quarter.
There must be over two dozen men and women celebrating, but only some of them are faces I remember from the competition. But there are also guards and many other faces I have not met nor want to if their treatment of the servers is anything to go by.
Some of the servers are dressed in scanty clothing, rushing around tables, quickly refilling drinks and trying to fend off wandering hands. And if the stench of ale permeating the room is anything to go by, I would say most of these people are drunk too. Which should only aid my plan.
I move into the shadows under the staircase, and no one takes notice of me as I disappear from view and glance around the room, looking for my intended target.
My gaze falls on a group of familiar guards and the small scar on one of their necks. His little promise comes to mind, and a small plan to buy me some time starts to form.
A couple of tables over from them, I spot my mark. Levon sits in the middle of the room, with Haddon on his left and a female with long brown hair and revealing clothing to his right. He ignores her completely, while she tries her best to gain his attention. It seems his sole focus is on whatever intense conversation he is having with Haddon. He doesn’t look as drunk as the rest, but maybe that is something I can help him with.
I wait and watch for a while longer, letting the light in the room grow dim and the people grow more intoxicated and foolish.
Stealing some bread from the table closest to me, I fill my stomach with it, chewing slowly so as not to make myself sick after not getting the chance to eat in a while.
