Unveiled (3 page)

“
Are we friends, now?” I look over my shoulder and smile coyly.

He nods once. “I’d like us to be.”

“
I think I’d like that, also,” I say.

We’re far enough away that if there’s a struggle, no one will hear. I stop next to a wide pine and press my back to its rough bark. Xander moves toward me, then hesitates. I’m sure he’s never met a girl this forward. And that’s my plan. Unnerve him so he doesn’t see the blade coming for his throat.

I clamp my eyes shut, trying to imagine him as a deer. There will be no going back to the camp if I don’t pull this off. For our own protection, Micha is ruthless. Complete your mission. No exceptions. If I don’t, I’ll be dead by morning. Either by Xander’s hand or the Rebels’ as Micha will order my death. Though, I can’t help but feel I might be spared. Even though Micha’s the rebel leader, I’ve had special treatment—like a child. But I don’t want to chance it.

I look up at the sky through the thick branches. “I don’t think you brought me here to star gaze,” I say.

He glances at the sky, then back to me. “I admit, I forgot my intensions.” He rocks on the heels of his feet. “I’m enjoying your company so much the stars are of little interest.”

“
Then why won’t you come closer?” I ask him. “Are you shy, Xander?”

A brilliant smile breaks across his face. “I’m not shy,” he says matter-of-factly. “But you’re not something I’m not accustomed to.” He cocks his head, studying me. “I find myself bewitched by you.”

I open my mouth to respond, then close it. Heat creeps up the back of my neck. I shouldn’t be blushing, but in the camp, I’m just another Rebel. I hide my eyes, glancing down at my dress. Of course. It’s not me he’s bewitched by, but the idea of a refined, flirtatious girl, wearing a beautiful dress. I shake my head, then look at him.

“
I’m sure a man of your station has the girls falling all over themselves.” I wedge my hands between me and the tree, gripping the bark. Then I arch my back, accentuating my curves.

He takes a step toward me. “There have been a couple,” he says, taking another step closer. “But none like you.”

He’s playing a game. The same way I am. But he’s in pursuit of something very different than me tonight. These lines may work on the simple girls of Karm, but not me. Satisfaction washes over me. I’ll look him right in the eyes at the last moment, showing him he didn’t fool me.

Then I wonder if I can use this to gain some information. I want to know why my mentor’s marked him—what he’s done so vile against the Rebels. Has he killed someone I know? Banished one of us to the Outside? But he seems so clueless. Although, so do I right now, and I know plenty.

“
You say that to us all, I’m sure,” I say. Then before he can try to defend himself, I continue, “But I’m flattered. It’s not every day one of the king’s top knights gives me such a compliment.”

His eyebrows press together. “Why do you assume I rank so high?”

Dammit. I’m floundering trying to get information from him. I should end this now. “Why wouldn’t you?” I smile shyly, forcing a blush. “You obviously think for yourself. I can’t imagine too many others do the same.”

He chuckles. “No. They don’t.” He closes the gap between us, stopping just inches away from me. “But I’m just another knight, no high rank. Although, I’ll gladly take your praise over their acknowledgment any time.”

No high rank
? I open my mouth, then snap it shut. I don’t know how to press for more information. Why does Micha want him dead?

His hand brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Do you . . .” He trails off, releasing an audible breath.

His hand lingers near my face, a current pulsing between our skin. He smells like earth and fire, and some masculine soap. I breathe him in, then push the breath out, gaining control of my senses.

“
What?” I ask. “Do I what?”

“
Do you ever think about going out there?” He jerks his head, indicating behind him. “Past the barrier.” He shakes his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “That’s a stupid question. I don’t know where my mind is.”

“
No,” I say, dipping my face and finding his eyes. “It’s not. I wonder all the time . . . what’s out there.” I lower my voice at the end.

His lips tug into a grin. “Really?”

I nod. “I do. And what if things have changed—”

“
Like if the earth has healed itself?” he interrupts.

“
Exactly.” I can’t help but smile. “And we’ll never know because we’ll be stuffed away behind the barrier forever. Or, what if there’re others out there, and they have a cu . . .” I let my words fade.

“
A cure,” he finishes. His eyes bore into mine, and I’m lost. He doesn’t talk like a knight. He talks like a Rebel.

“
Yes,” I finally say.

“
I think we might be the only two brave enough to admit these things.” A fleeting glimmer of panic flashes in his eyes. He’s part of the Force. He’s not supposed to think like this, and he’s especially not supposed to voice it.

But what if it’s a trick? What if he knows I was sent to kill him and he’s only playing with me? This is my first hit. And it’s possible he’s more cunning than I’ve given him credit for. Maybe I’m not prepared to go up against him. I bow my head, confused.

“
I’ve said something wrong,” he says, dropping his hand from my face.

I look up into his eyes. There’s sadness behind them, and his expression is worried. I squeeze my eyes shut. This has to end now. He has to end. For whatever reason I was sent, I don’t care anymore. I know my place, and I know his.

I open my eyes. “You’ve said nothing wrong,” I tell him. Then I watch his soft lips spread into an easy smile. With the hand still pressed against the tree, I slowly lift the back of my dress. His face inches toward mine as I grasp my dagger.

His lips just brush against mine before my dagger’s at his throat.

His eyes widen, and I press the blade into his skin, forcing him to back away. “I’m sorry,” I say.

“
But this is my job.”

As I move away from the tree, my legs are kicked out from underneath me and I hit the ground.
Bastard!

I roll to the side, barely escaping his hold as he lunges for me. I claw the earth, then pitch dirt into his face as I scramble backward. While he’s wiping his face I get to my feet.

“
I knew you were playing me,” I say.

Xander rights himself and bounds to his feet. “What are you talking about?
You
tried to slit
my
throat!”

I nod, adrenalin pulsing in my veins. “And you were ready for it. You knew the whole time!”

“
Knew what?” He eyes the dagger in my hand, then moves his gaze to my face. “That you’re
mad
? Who are you?”

“
I’m not mad! And don’t try to backpedal. Who are
you
? What have you done? Has to be something recent, I was sent only today.” I move slowly, crossing one foot in front of the other, circling him.

He moves in the opposite direction, matching my steps as he watches me closely. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I lunge, jabbing my dagger, but he hurdles to the side and grabs my outstretched arm, spinning me. I grunt and elbow his side. That doesn’t faze him, and he wraps his other arm around my waist, hauling me to him—my back against his chest.

“
Stop for a min—oomph.” I land a blow to his groin with the heel of my foot and he releases me.

“
I’m tired of your games, lover boy,” I say, then I lunge again.

This time I clip his arm and blood darkens his uniform. He cups the bleeding sleeve, leaving himself open, vulnerable.
Why doesn’t he go for his sword?
I shake the thought from my head, ready to finish him. I go in for the kill, but he grabs my arm, dragging me over his shoulder and I land on my back hard, losing the grip on my weapon.

He bears down on top of me, anchoring my wrists to the ground. “Would you stop!”

I writhe beneath him. “Get off!”

I’m done, finished. I allowed him to mess with my head and it made me hesitate. Now that pause will cost me my life. I’m so angry with myself I can feel tears prickle in the corners of my eyes. I clamp them shut, waiting for him to kill me.

But the blow never comes. Slowly, I crack one eye open. His face is inches from mine, his dark eyes watching me.

“
What are you waiting for?” I ask. “Do it. It’s embarrassing enough that I botched my first assignment, you have to make me suffer longer?”

He releases a heavy, frustrated breath. “I’m trying to decide how to tie you to a tree.”

“
What?”

“
Well,” he says, shaking his head. “I have to do something to keep you from attacking me.”

I squint my eyes, confused. “You’re not going to kill me?’

“
What—why?” He scoffs and releases my hands, sitting back on the balls of his feet. He plants his hands on top of his thighs. “What have I done to you?”

I see my dagger just behind him on the forest floor. Before he can get another word in, I spring forward and tackle him, grabbing my dagger in the process. Then I hold it to his throat, my breath panting as I stare at him. There’s no fear or anger in his expression.

“
If I’ve done something that this is my fate, then do it,” he says. “But at least tell me my sins first.”

I curse. What has this fool done? I have no answer for him.

His eyes trace my face, and I’m sick with regret that I’m about to permanently shut them. I pull the dagger away from his neck and raise it, my hand trembling. He licks his lips, readying himself for my attack, and I can’t stop staring at their perfect curve against his chin. I sink my blade into the earth just above his head, bringing my face down at the same time and pressing my lips to his.

For one shocked moment, he’s frozen—his lips firm against mine. Then they soften, matching my rhythm. He buries his hand in my hair, forcing our lips together hard.

He cups the back of my head and rolls on top of me, his kiss deepening as the weight of him presses me into the ground. I wrap my arms around him, feeling his strained muscles through the fabric of his uniform. Then he pulls his face away, his eyes locked on mine.

As I stare back at him, I know I never would’ve completed my mission.
Damn
. I hope that kiss was worth it.

“
I think we need to talk,” he says.

I nod, my bun coming loose against the twigs. “Agreed.”

Chapter 3

We roam farther into the forest, away from the castle and in the opposite direction of the Rebel camp. The trees are thicker, and the moonlight splinters across the ground. As I walk—my arms hugging my waist—fear envelops my core. Uncertainty of my situation plagues me.

Xander slows his pace as he glances over at me. “I’ve shut down my communicator,” he says, showing me the small silver device, then he slides it into the vest of his uniform. “So we won’t be tracked.”

I nod. “You honestly don’t know anything about the Rebels?” I study his features, waiting to see his eyes shift—a muscle twitch. But he keeps his eyes trained on me, stoic.

“
No.” He looks down at the ground then back at me. “How is it I’ve never been informed?” He kicks a rock with his boot. “Because I’ve just been knighted?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. Maybe. All members of the Force are aware of us, though. Destroying us is their . . .
your
priority.”

He slants his eyes at me. “As you can plainly see, it’s not mine. Though, you almost left me little choice.”

“
Ha!” I halt walking and spin toward him. “You were as good as dead back there.”

He stops, too, facing me. “Yes, the ever-effective kiss your enemy to death tactic,” he says, a smile playing at his lips. “I have to admit, it’s my preferable way to die.”

My face heats. “You didn’t seem to mind the approach. You probably would’ve let me end you back there if I’d allowed you to continue.”

He laughs, then begins walking again, saying over his shoulder, “If I remember correctly, it was me who ended the kiss.”