He had the nerve to laugh at me. The horse was slow now, at a trot. I gripped his waist tightly. He was causing the horse to rear on purpose, pulling back on the reins as they bit cut painfully into the corners of the horse's mouth.

"Stop the horse."

"No."

"Let me down."

"No."

"I'll jump off."

"Go ahead."

He whipped the reins as the horse fell back on all fours, urging her forward. She began to gallop.

"Enjoying yourself?" he yelled over the wind beating in our faces.

"You just wait," I growled. "Wait until we come to a stop, I'm going to destroy you."

After what seemed like an eternity, he slowed the horse to a stop and slid off the saddle.

"Get down," he said as he rolled his eyes. "You're so childish. Afraid of a horse." He reached out to help me down.

"It's not the horse, and you know that," I said coolly, ignoring his outstretched hand, and hopped off by myself. Putting weight on my legs made it difficult to walk as jolts of pain ran up my spine.

"You're afraid of falling. Not heights, but falling. How does that make sense?" He smirked.

"As much sense as not brushing your hair in the morning makes," I retorted smoothly, turning painfully on my heel, but having enough strength to keep my dignity and not show a limp.

He laughed behind me. "How are you going to get back in time?" he said, grabbing my elbow and turning me to face him. I stared into his golden eyes for a second, frowning at the smirk on his face, and then yanked it away.

"By walking." I paused. "Wait a moment—in time for what, exactly?"

"Father is having a royal feast with the King Adrean of Dystalphi. Most of the guards will be with him, making it easier for you to reach the duke."

"But won't the duke be with the king?"

"Ah, true," he nodded, "but only the highest royals have been invited. That only includes the king, queen, and their daughter," he explained.

"So he actually thought this one through," I muttered under my breath, and he raised his eyebrows.

"Excuse me?"

A blush crept up my cheeks. He wasn't supposed to hear that.

"You're red again," Xavier grinned. "Do I have that much of an effect on you?"

"Xavier. . ." I warned. I turned my attention away from him for a moment. Usually, I did most of the king's planning. This time he managed to do a pretty good job by himself. "But if the duke just dies mysteriously, won't King Adrean suspect that something's going on?"

"No, because he doesn't know you exist. And oh, change of plans, you're going after him today."

"I guessed that part." Plans changed all the time. There was one important rule royalty always went by—it was to never stay in one place for more than a day. That way, it made them harder to track.

"So, are you going back with me?" he asked, grinning. I really had no choice. "It's alright. You can sit in the front if it makes you comfortable. I'll hold you from the back."

I rolled my eyes, wondering when I'd get rid of this nuisance.

That night, I prepared myself.

I strapped my belt and slipped on my boots with the hidden pockets for weapons. My dark hair was bound in a braid down my back.

I turned to the mirror, brushing a few strands loose strands of hair behind my ears. Steely gray eyes stared back at me.

I brushed a hand against the jeweled hilt of the sword that hung by my side. I barely used it, but it was a good luck charm. The sword was given to me as a present from the queen when I'd gotten old enough to carry something this heavy. My name was engraved on the hilt. It was the only thing I had from her.

I heard a knock.

"Come in."

The door opened, and I took a deep breath, seeing Prince Xavier walk in. "Take this." He handed me a mask to hide the lower part of my face, along with a black cloak.

"Thank you," I nodded, and he leaned against my bedpost.

"You look like a murderer."

I raised my eyebrows, slipping on the mask.

Xavier rubbed his eye, peering at me through his long lashes like a child. Again, I found myself inhaling slowly. "I mean, you look terrifying. Like a child's worst nightmare."

I turned to the mirror consciously and stroked the end of my braid. I caught his eye in the reflection.

"This is why people avoid you." He shook his head. "It's because of this deadly vibe you send off. Smile a little sometimes. Relax. You look nervous. I have never seen you nervous."

I pushed past him, making sure I brushed my shoulder against his. He took a step back, giving me space. "Don't tell me what to do." But I did feel nervous. Something was bothering me, making my fingers twitch every couple of seconds.

"Is something wrong, Adalia?" He watched me as I pulled open the windows and crouched, wrapping the cloak around myself. "You didn't answer my question."

"I don't need to. You have all the answers already, don't you?" And then I jumped, leaving him alone in my room.

I landed on a balcony where a handmaiden was serving her lady as she enjoyed the fresh night air. The girl shrieked and tipped over a goblet of wine, splattering the woman whom I recognized as Lady Katherine, one of the snarkiest people to ever roam the halls of the castle. I continued my way down since I had the highest room, at the top of a tower. I ran over the rooftops as silent as a night owl.

Xavier knew everything. He knew too much about me, all because of that one night where everything went wrong. I was only twelve years old.

I had failed a direct order. I thought my life was over. That night, Xavier sat beside me and just listened to me ramble for what seemed like hours. He was the only one who knew anything about me.

I neared the grand building that the duke was staying in and watched him through the open balcony doors as he laughed with a woman. The sound of glasses clinking rang in my ears.

He had guards around him, and four were positioned on the balcony itself.

He disappeared from view. I crouched in the shadows, slipping out my bow. I nocked in an arrow, waiting for an open shot. Aiming at one guard from so far, I let go. It sailed in the air right towards his heart, meeting its mark. Then, I made way to the other side. The distances between the sources of each shot were far apart so they wouldn't know where the arrows were coming from. 

Before any of the guards were able to warn the others, I nocked in another arrow and watched it pierce the second guard's chest. I rolled onto my knees and let two more fly one after another as they met their targets. The passage was clear. 

I leaped onto a pole sticking out of a building and pulled myself up, lodging my feet in between bricks as I started a quick climb to the top. I grazed the wall like a lizard.

I lay flat on my stomach, peering over the roof, the balcony now below me. The duke was supposed to be wearing a silver necklace with a cross that he carried everywhere with himself. That was the only way I'd recognize him.

I waited fifteen minutes, but he didn't appear. Voices were coming from inside, laughing and talking. 

Suddenly, two guards walked out. As their eyes fell over their dead comrades, they unsheathed their swords and surveyed the area. I put the bow down next to me, silently pulling out my sword. Before they could look up, I rolled over the edge of the roof, landing on my feet, and drove the sword into his chest. I sheathed the beautiful weapon as he dropped to the ground, dead. The other one let out a battle cry, running at me. I flipped in the air, using my arms to push off his shoulders, landing behind him. I pulled out the dagger and plunged it into his back.

Meanwhile, the duke heard the commotion, approaching the doorway. Upon seeing me, he dropped his glass. It shattered on the floor as his eyes widened. The cross necklace glinted on around his neck.

"Please—"

I gave him what I imagined to be a cold smile. I flipped the knife in my hand and then threw it with perfect aim as it pierced his heart. The duke fell to his knees and landed on his chest, pushing it deeper inside. He was definitely dead.

I turned around, pulling up my hood jumping from the rails of the balcony. My job was done.