Assassin's Kiss (The Assassin's Heart Series Book 1) by Emery Rachelle

Author:Emery Rachelle [Rachelle, Emery]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Emery Rachelle Writes
Published: 2021-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The room still buzzes with noise. Guests are talking, eating, dancing. Nothing worth notice has happened tonight yet. Except to me.

Ashlynn. Or Ash. Beautiful, flirtatious Ash, who made me blush and asked about my travels. Playful, friendly Ash, who has a ticklish waist and hates the family business. The charming hostess Ash, who wants to see me later tonight.

At least getting the target alone won’t be a problem.

I feel sick. I’ve slept with a mark before, but never like this. Never without knowing what I was getting into. Never with feelings involved.

“Careful!” Carwen’s grip on my arm tightens. I look at her, suddenly reminded of her presence. She stares at me with panic.

The room sways. I’ve lost my balance. My legs feel like jelly.

I force myself to stand up straight. I try to clear my head, but I can’t. The girl, focus on the girl. I blink the blurriness from my eyes and focus on Carwen. I swallow hard and clear my throat. “I’m so sorry. I think I’m a bit faint. I’ll go get something to eat.”

She looks relieved at my explanation. “I’ll go with you.”

“There’s no need for that. I’ll be fine.” I probably should eat something, but more importantly, I need time alone. Time to process. Time to plan.

Carwen’s grip on my arm doesn’t relax. “You’re not well. I won’t leave you to fend for yourself. What if you fall? Ash would never forgive me.”

The mention of her sister—brother—sibling—distracts me from any chance to respond. Carwen begins walking toward the dining room, and I am pulled along.

“Mother used to have fainting spells too, you know,” she says as we walk. “Father was not sympathetic at all. That’s one of the reasons she left.”

We reach the dining room. I move to walk to the table, but Carwen guides me to a seat by the wall. “You sit. I’ll bring you food.”

Taking a minute off my feet is a good idea. I sit on an embroidered chair while the child fetches one of the servants nearby. I suppose she’s used to ordering them about, having grown up in this house. I remember that life. It’s a pleasant, pampered existence in some ways, but not all.

Carwen sits in a chair next to me. We watch as the servant puts together a plate for me.

“We wanted to go with her, you know,” Carwen says. It takes me a moment to realize she’s talking about her mother again. “Father wouldn’t allow it. Ash is the heir, so they couldn’t leave, and I didn’t want to leave Ash. Mother said I could stay, for Ash’s sake, but I could always go live with her if I change my mind.”

The servant brings me my plate and a goblet of wine. I nibble on a savory tart.

Carwen continues, “Sometimes I think I will go, but then I still can’t leave Ash. Especially now.” She pauses. “I remember Mother, but it’s been so long, I’m not sure I’d know how to be around her. She’s different from Father, from Ash.

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