Unveiled (2 page)

A cold sweat breaks out on my forehead. Murder is unheard of in Karm. Well, as far as its citizens know. This is a perfect utopia. King Hart and his Force see to that. And the punishment for murder? I shiver, not wanting to think of the possibilities. Of course it would never go to trial. The king wouldn’t allow it to be known his rule is in question. No, I’d simply disappear. Whispered to have been taken by the virus. I don’t know what they’d do to me, but I’m positive it’s something horrifying.

I work up my courage as I awkwardly tug on my bodice, popping as much cleavage over the top as my small frame will allow. I curse myself for not bringing my own wine. I could’ve simply swapped our goblets.
Some assassin I’m turning out to be
. I run my hands over the soft satin of my dress taking in a gulp of air, then emerge from my hiding spot and enter the room.

Xander’s form stiffens, then he spins, pulling his sword from its scabbard.

I stop, holding up my hands. “Oh!”

His dark eyes meet mine and his face reddens. “So sorry, Miss.” He sheathes his sword. “I thought I was alone. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

I place my hand over my heart, playing the role of a simple girl. “No. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you,” I say, then take a cautious step toward him. “I was winded from the dance and needed to escape the stuffy room.”

His eyes drink me in, and I work my swagger a little harder as I approach him. “You looked like you’d found something interesting out here. I was curious to why a knight was all alone, staring out into the dark instead of celebrating his prince’s betrothal.”

As I move closer, I see faint stubble along his jawline and chin, the only shadow on his otherwise smooth face. His eyes are dark pools of brown, a color so rich it looks tempting. His lips quirk into a side-grin and it pinches the corners of his eyes. I thought he was handsome before, but this close, he’s beautiful. A sharp pang of regret hits me, and it’s so intense I immediately take a step back.

Forcing the alarming feeling away, I give my head a clearing shake. He’s part of the Force. And Micha has a good reason, I remind myself.

He sweeps his hand through the air, offering me the spot next to him. “I was star gazing,” he says. “I don’t do it much, but sometimes, if the sky’s clear, I try to spot the constellations.”

I sidle up beside him, feeling the heat from his body through the sleeve of my dress. I’m shocked he’s opened up to me, and about a subject that’s considered off-limits. Anything outside of Karm’s barrier, even the stars or sky itself, could be thought a dangerous subject. It’s hard to know what should or shouldn’t be said, so most avoid unsure topics, altogether.

Xander’s slightly pained expression conveys he’s realized what he’s done. I nudge his arm reassuringly with my shoulder. “I often wonder if the stars look different from Outside,” I say, staring up at the night sky through the thick glass. “Maybe the barrier changes the way we see the sky.”

His expression relaxes. “I’ve wondered the same,” he says, then learns against the windowpane, his eyes darting between me and the sky. “But only the king would know, and I believe he’s done his best to simulate what the world looked like before.”

I smile up at him, but inwardly scoff. What the world looked like before? People haven’t lived in castles and cottages in over . . . Well, I don’t know for how long. But long enough. “He’s a brilliant man, truly.” I want to rip my tongue from my mouth, but I force my lips to hold the smile. He’s trying to move the conversation into safe territory. I must have really taken him off-guard.

He leans in closer to me. “Xander.” He taps his chest. “May I have your name?”

I wonder if I should give him my real name for a moment—if something should go wrong, he’d be able to report me—but I’m trained well. Nothing will go wrong, and in a minute, he won’t be able to repeat his own.

“
Fallon,” I say, mimicking his gesture, but making sure I tap low enough to bring his attention to the right spot. And it works. His face flushes as he stares down, then he quickly looks up and away. I duck my head, hiding my knowing smile.

Sliding closer to him, I block his view of the goblet on the bench behind me. Then with my left hand, I stroke his arm. “Who taught you about the constellations?” I say, attempting to distract him. “Astronomy . . . Well, it’s definitely not required learning, and I can’t imagine that knights have use for tracking star patterns.”

I feel him flex beneath my hand. “Uh, you’re correct. It’s a useless hobby, one that the first knight himself has called me out on.” His brows furrow. “But my mother,” he says. “She was a free thinker and loved the lore around the constellations.” A beat. “She taught me.”

“
I see,” I say.

“
I apologize.” He shakes his head. “This is inappropriate. I’m afraid you’ve caught me in a strange frame of mind tonight.”

His mother must have been taken by the virus. Astronomy
is
an unsafe topic, but no one speaks of people—even family—once their gone. It’s forbidden. We simply go on like they never existed. Xander’s odd behavior confuses me, and I’m again questioning why he’s been marked by the Rebels. I shouldn’t waste another second, but my curiosity is piqued.

I clear my throat. “You’ve said nothing to offend me.” I smile up at him. “My mother
was
a very spirited person, also. She taught me a few things about the stars,” I say, stressing the fact she’s no longer here, wanting to gauge his reaction.

At first he’s cautious, his eyes wide, studying my face. Then they pinch at the corners as he eases back into the conversation. “I’m curious, Miss Fallon. I’ve never met another to know much about them.” He points toward the sky. “Please, do your best to impress me with your knowledge.”

My stomach flutters, and I can’t stop the smile from overtaking my face. “Is this a challenge or are you mocking me?”

His smile reaches his smoldering eyes and he laughs. “I would
never
mock a lady. I’m offended you believe me so crude.”

“
You do it again,” I say, batting his arm. “I shall show you up then.” I look at the sky, seeking a constellation I know. “There.” I point. “That’s the Little Dipper.”

He waves his hand, pushing air through his lips. “That’s too easy.”

“
Oh?” I say. “Then please, Sir Xander, dazzle me with your infinite wisdom.”

“
All right.” His nods his head once, determined. “To think, a knight having to impress a maiden with his mind instead of masculine skill.”

A laugh escapes my lips. “Well, I could always ask you to show off your skill by attacking that tree.” I nod toward the Weeping Willow near the lake.

“
Why? Has it offended you?” He makes like he’s going to draw his sword.

“
Xander,” I say his name through a laugh. Our eyes meet and hold. He releases his grip on the hilt. I’ve said his name without addressing him properly, and I’m afraid I’ve given myself away.

“
It’s very affecting,” he says, “hearing my name from your lips.” His eyes flick down my face, landing on my mouth. I’m forced to look away.

“
Now,” he says, turning his attention back to the sky. “I was about to school you on the constellations.”

I release a relieved breath, but mentally curse myself, anyway.
What am I doing?
I’m wasting time. He’s distracted now, and I need to use this moment to my advantage. My training kicks in.

“
You were,” I say, pretending to smooth my hair. I pull the vial of Hemlock from my bun. “How long have you been a knight?” I add to keep his thoughts off my actions. I palm the vial, then rest my hand against my back.

He sighs. “Not long.” He keeps his eyes trained on the sky, and I uncork the poison. “I’m younger than most, nineteen”—he eyes me quickly—“only officially a knight this past week. But I’m as experienced as the rest.”

“
How so?” Feeling for the rim of his goblet, I dump the liquid. “What I mean is, what experience is needed? What training? There’s no threat.”

He snaps his face toward me. “Exactly.” His eyes are fierce, like I’ve stumbled onto a topic he feels passionately about. “They’re so rigorous. I spent weeks learning to fence, and hand to hand combat, and how to—” He laughs, shaking his head. “I apologize for getting carried away. A lady is not interested in such matters. It’s just . . . why are we taught these things if we’re never to use them? Though, I am grateful for the knowledge.”

I feel my eyebrows furrow. How can he be one of the king’s top knights and know nothing about the Rebels—the
threat
? Though the Force is used as intimidation to keep citizens in line, making sure they’re following era guidelines, their main duty is seeking us out and annihilating any chance of a rebellion.

If he’s only been in the Force a week, how did he achieve a high rank? What
threat
is he to us?

“
You’re not boring me,” I say, batting my lashes. “I’m very interested in learning these things.” I cringe. If he has any sense at all, he’ll soon pick up on my probing. I press closer to him and lace my arm through his for good measure.

He gives his head a small shake. “A maiden interested in knighting? Now
this
impresses me.” He pushes off the glass and begins to lead me away. “I believe I can better point out the constellation I’m looking for from outside the atrium.” His eyes search mine, dark and inviting.

“
Walk with me?”

“
I—” I glance back at the goblet. Damn. “I would like that,” I finish. “But you’re leaving your wine.”
Smooth, Fallon.

“
It will be here when we return.”

Unless an innocent person drinks it by mistake, I think. “Let me fetch it. It’s ingrained in me not to leave things lying about. You know us women.” I turn my back to him, rolling my eyes. If he doesn’t figure this out now, after a lame line like that, maybe I have the wrong guy.

I quickly head toward the bench, but in my haste, I trip over a potted plant as I’m reaching for the goblet. A loud clink echoes, then the goblet shatters. The wine and poison flow out, the stone floor soaking it up
. Shit.

“
One of the maids will tend to it,” he says, coming up beside me. “A maiden as refined as yourself shouldn’t bother with such tasks.”

I nod. “Yes, I forget we’re at a celebration.” I give a forced laugh. “I’m sure the castle will be filled with all kinds of tasks tomorrow.”
Like discovering the body of a knight in the forest
. I shiver. Now I’m left with no alternative.

I link my arm through his. “Let’s go.” I gaze into his deep eyes, darker than the night sky. “I’d love to hear more about the stars
and
you.”

As we approach the atrium door, he pauses, reaching into his uniform. Then he pulls out a key ring and inserts a large, rusted key into the lock on the side of the large glass door. With a click, the door slides open, and we walk into the darkening night.

Chapter 2

The full moon shines down on the tall pines, illuminating the court woods in a blue-green hue. The pathway is narrow, and snapping twigs under our feet the only sound other than the haunting melody the crickets sing around us.

Most of my life has been in these woods. I spent hours hunting in the outskirts of Karm, but was never afraid. One of the only girls who’d go out alone, I developed a reputation for being fearless. Hunting wild animals in Karm is outlawed, just as fighting, weapons, and anything considered of violent nature. But I welcomed the rush of adrenalin. The feel of freedom the forest brings. It’s as far away from Karm as I can go without actually leaving.

Now . . . fear wraps its wary arms around me. I’ve never hunted a human. And though I was chosen for this mission because my mentor deemed me ready, a knot of resignation slams into my gut.

I’m an assassin.

I remind myself this is my calling—what I chose when I swore allegiance to the Rebels instead of King Hart. What I do tonight is for the good of Karm. Xander needs to be eliminated because Micha wouldn’t order it if there wasn’t a good reason. He’s my enemy. He may seem innocent, but I’m sure behind those kind eyes lie dark secrets.

Xander holds aside a low branch as I walk past. “Thank you, Sir Xander,” I say.

“
Please, just Xander.” He releases the branch. “I’m addressed as such by my friends.”