Assassin's Blood by Marina Finlayson

Author:Marina Finlayson [Finlayson, Marina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Finesse Solutions
Published: 2019-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

18

Since sneaking past Ash wasn’t an option, I lay down again, too tired to undress, and was soon asleep.

My dreams were feverish things, full of assassins and shadows that moved and spoke. Celebrach’s twisted dagger was in them, too, though it belonged to me and no longer seemed creepy. The ruby on its hilt was a thing of beauty, and the strange blade was no longer distorted but artful. When my hand closed around the hilt, I felt only peace and a warm sense of security. With this blade at my side, I couldn’t help but defeat my enemies. Even Evandir and Nuah bowed before me, their faces full of admiration. And Ash …

Bloody hell. I woke up, horrified at what I’d just been doing with my cold instructor. Except, in the dream, he hadn’t been cold at all. My heart still raced, and when I touched my mouth, I discovered my hand was shaking. His kiss had felt so real I swore I still felt the pressure of his lips on mine.

I sat up, unnerved. It must have been because I’d seen him half-naked. Why wouldn’t I have dreamed of him after that? Only a dead woman could fail to appreciate the beauty of a body like his. My subconscious clearly had lower standards than I did—little details like morality or even personality didn’t matter to it, only his pure physical desirability.

Well, I was awake now, and that was just not on. I threw off my blanket, then stopped, surprised. I’d fallen asleep sprawled on top of my blankets, in the middle of telling myself I’d get up in just a minute and get ready for bed properly. I hadn’t even taken off my boots. But now they were on the floor, set neatly side by side, and someone had spread a thick woollen blanket over me while I slept.

That someone must have been Ash, bizarre as that seemed. It was such a nurturing thing to do—and nurturing was the very last adjective I would have picked to describe the cold-eyed assassin.

I shrugged it off and pulled my boots back on. I had more to worry about than trying to understand the inner workings of my instructor’s mind.

It was full dark outside, so it must be time for apprentice training to commence. My body still ached from last night’s hammering. Maybe he’d go a little easier on me tonight.

He came in from outside as I left my bedroom and grunted when he saw me. “You’re awake.” He made it sound as if I’d been asleep for days. “Are you ready to demonstrate your studies?”

It took me a minute to realise what he meant. I’d almost forgotten he’d told me to read a chapter of Foramund. “I fell asleep after all.”

And you covered me with a blanket.

He seemed displeased with that answer. “A Viper doesn’t sleep until all his chores are completed.”

“Or hers.”

He treated me to that icy glare, and it occurred to me belatedly that maybe I shouldn’t start the night by antagonising him.

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