But now wasn’t the time for anger, now was the time for precision. She had to calm herself, think clearly, and throw her knives with accuracy. If she didn’t, they were all done for.
An adrenaline-laced smile quirked her lips. No pressure at all .
Taking a deep breath, Narra slipped out of the dark room, and took one last glance at either end of the hall before she shut the door behind her. The doorknob hardly clicked, and then she was on the move, racing on silent feet through the darkened edge of the hall. Lucky for her, they weren’t on the third floor, where everything seemed to be bright, whether it be from the torches or the windows.
Her heartbeat sped up the closer she came to the study. The guards continued to speak in low voices, but she hardly heard them—she was too distracted by watching their body language. The moment one of them heard or saw her she’d throw her first dagger.
In preparation, she pulled two throwing knives from her belt, holding them between her fingers until she was ready to let them loose.
It was now or never. Kill, or let her only family die tomorrow.
She would kill hundreds for Erik alone, and this fact steeled her resolve.
Ten feet from the door, she skirted the arch in the hall, and the brown eyes of Stein rose to meet hers, widening in surprise.
Before he could shout a warning at Baldar, whose back was turned to her, Narra launched her first knife.
The blade slammed to the hilt, thunking with the force of her throw, right into the naked skull of Marina’s guard.
Her breath hissed between her teeth. She could taste victory. Taste freedom .
Narra threw her second blade before Baldar’s corpse began to fold. Shock registered on Stein’s face, scarred by battle. He was already yanking his straight sword from its sheath, moving to put himself in front of Marina’s door while he did it.
Her flying dagger cut through the lip of his armor, right into the muscle between his neck and shoulder.
The man winced and ground his teeth against the pain, instead of crying out like she’d expected. Right. He was clearly battle-hardened. He would only make a sound to alert the other guards, or the princess.
Damn, she should have expected that.
Narra yanked her short sword from its sheath. She continued her momentum, closing the space between them. A new plan quickly formed in her mind.
With all of her speed and strength, Narra leapt, splaying her sword in front of her to block Stein’s blade.
His eyes widened as he realized her plan, but it was too late.
Narra slammed into him full force, sending them both crashing through the door to Marina’s study.
A female voice yelped at the sudden noise.
Stein winced as his back slammed against the ground, but he was quick to recover, pushing at her blade with his.
Narra growled and rolled off of him, jumping to her feet before spinning to face him. Stein clambered up much quicker than the other guards had, and raised his blade in time for hers to clang against his.
She spun to aim another hit, but he was already on his feet and ready to fight. He opened his mouth, and Narra was sure he’d call for help.
Panic struck full force, sucking the breath from her lungs. She slashed at him once, then twice, meeting his blade each time. Her heart raced as she launched hit after hit, giving him no time to cry for help while he struggled to block each of her strikes. His face contorted in pain with each move. His left arm hung limp at his side. She’d definitely struck a nerve with her initial knife .
Narra grabbed a long dagger from the slot at her thigh, using it as a second blade. She sliced at his unprotected mid-section. There was a slice of cloth barely visible between the metal guarding his abdomen and hips. It was all the space she needed.
The man leapt back and thrust his blade at her stomach. Narra leapt to the side. His fist slammed against her shoulder, scarcely missing her face, and she was sent whirling to the ground. That she hadn’t expected.
Stein flew after her, bringing his blade down to cut into her skull.
Narra rolled to the side, and his blade clanged against the stone floor. She leapt to her feet and sliced through the space below his abdomen.
His breath exploded from his lungs, and his eyes flew wide. Blood dripped down his armor, and before he could make another move, Narra slammed her blade down on the back of his neck.
Another startled cry sounded from the back of the room as Stein’s severed head hit the floor. It bounced and rolled a foot or two before stopping, a look of permanent shock on his face.
Narra took a few deep breaths. Adrenaline still sung through her veins, but it faded slightly now that she was out of immediate danger. Her shoulder ached from the powerful blow Stein had delivered, and she rolled her joint, glad it was her left arm instead of her right.
“Narra?” Marina breathed out her name like a prayer.
Narra looked up from the blood bathing the floor. Her eyes met Marina’s. They were wide with surprise, not fear.
Confusion had her brows furrowing. Narra had just cut off a man’s head in front of the princess, and she wasn’t afraid of Narra? What was wrong with Marina?
Narra shook her head and went back to the door. Silence rested between them as Narra tugged the body of Baldar inside before closing the door behind her. She stopped to listen for sounds of incoming enemies, but heard nothing.
It seemed the princess’ security was lax tonight. It was late. Most of the palace staff had probably gone home for the night. She knew most of the guards would be outside to protect from attacks. But still, only two guards to protect the princess?
“Narra,” Marina said again as she stood. Her voice was far more even this time, less shocked.
Narra looked at Marina. Soft brown curls descended over her shoulders, and her hazel eyes shone amber in the light of the fire. Flames burned inside the hearth across from her large desk. Portraits of emperors decorated the walls.
The room had a very sparse, military feel to it. Nothing about it made her think it belonged to Marina. Maybe it was Malek’s old study.
“Marina,” Narra greeted coldly.
“What are you doing here?” Marina asked.
Not, why did you kill my guards? Or, are you going to kill me ? But, why are you here? Narra rolled her eyes.
“I gave you an ultimatum, remember?” Narra said.
She’d told Marina there was only two ways this was going to go. Release the Thieves, or Narra would continue to kill and kill until the entire country was pounding on Marina’s door.
Marina’s jaw hardened. “I remember.”
The soft, delicate princess Narra remembered vanished in an instant, replaced with the cold, steely thief Narra had branded her.
“You received my messages, I assume.” Narra hadn’t branded each of her kills with the note ‘Thief’ for nothing.
“I did,” Marina said. “You’ve killed hundreds of soldiers, Narra. How could you do this? You weren’t a killer when we met.”
Marina had the nerve to sound hurt. Actually hurt because of what Narra had done, not to Rova, but to Marina. An inferno raged through her suddenly, and Narra had to snap her teeth shut so she didn’t scream at the princess.
“I know you love your Thieves, but they’re criminals. My father was right about one thing. It’s about time we rid this country of them. All your Guild does is add to the problems we have.” Marina took a step around her desk. Her fists balled, and her eyes blazed with determination .
Narra matched her step. “Rova’s problems stem from much worse than the Thieves Guild. We might steal, and cause some trouble, but it is nothing compared to what your family has done to the empire.”
Marina winced. “That’s all behind us now.”
Narra laughed. “Is it? You’re just repeating history. Only instead of killing your sister, you’ve had me kill your father.”
Marina’s face contorted in rage. “I am nothing like Emperor Barrett. He killed th
e most gentle woman to ever rule this empire.”
“Who do you think you’re like then? Willa?” Narra scoffed. “You’ll never be a ruler like her.”
Marina stormed forward, and only stopped a foot from Narra. “Shut your mouth. You have no idea what you’re talking about. My father was a tyrant. He would have buried Rova in debt with all of his gambling.”
Narra hadn’t known that. “So this is how you justify killing your father ?”
Marina slapped her. The clap of skin on skin reverberated through the room, echoing off the high ceilings.
Narra blinked in surprise, dumbfounded.
“No one can speak to me like that. Not even you, Narra. I’m going to be empress soon, and your Thieves are going to die tomorrow. That’s the end of it,” Marina said. Her voice was laced with venom, even if it did crack at the end.
Narra’s eyebrows furrowed as she turned her face back toward the princess. Marina had actually slapped her. What in Srah’s name?
Her cheek stung and her breaths came quickly as she sized up the princess. “You aren’t empress yet.”
Marina bared her teeth in a snarl. It was the most unladylike thing Narra had ever seen the princess do. It was almost comical.
“I’m calling the guards. Get out of here, now ,” Marina commanded.
Narra stepped forward, closing the space between them. She grabbed Marina’s arms, digging her fingers in until Marina yelped. “You’ll do no such thing. Princess, or empress, you will not control me, or the Thieves. I gave you an ultimatum, Marina, and I mean to collect on it. If you do not release them, your people will continue to die.”
Narra paused, an idea coming to her then.
“There are already stirrings of a revolt,” Narra lied. “Do you really want to have the shortest reign in history? You’d be lucky to last a month—no, a week —without someone cutting off your pretty little head.”
Marina blanched. Her lips parted in a tiny pink ‘O’. The look might be cute if Narra wasn’t so angry.
“Now, you will do as I damn well say, or you will die. Be it by my hand, or your people’s.”
Marina’s gaze hardened. She seemed to break from the stupor she was in, and yanked out of Narra’s grasp, but didn’t move away. There was a mere breath between them, and Marina nearly closed it when she leaned in, danger in her narrowed eyes.
“You wouldn’t kill me, Narra. I know that much,” Marina said.
Narra glared back. Her fists shook, and her heart raced. She hated this woman. Hated her perfect lips and silky curls. She hated her tough-as-nails stare, and the fire in her eyes. But most of all, Narra hated that she was right.
Marina smirked, her suspicions confirmed by Narra’s silence. “I thought so.”
Heat coursed through her, and a growl began to work its way up her throat.
Marina’s smug smile was so infuriating. Narra should have been the one to slap her. But instead, she surprised them both when her lips crashed against the princess’.
Marina gasped in surprise as Narra kissed her, and gripped the back of her head with her hand.
The princess froze in surprise for a second, giving Narra the opportunity to lead. She flicked her tongue against Marina’s lower lip, and clutcheed the hair at the base of her skull.
Then, it was as if the floodgates opened. Marina pressed forward, grabbing Narra’s hips and kissing her fiercely.
Narra lost her breath as Marina’s tongue snuck between her lips. They fought for dominance, Narra pushing Marina back until the princess was pressed up against her desk.
She released Marina’s hair, her hands trailing down her spine, and over the flare of her hips. Marina groaned into Narra’s kiss as she pushed their bodies together.
Their kiss intensified as Narra continued to run her hands down Marina’s hips to her ass. Her cheeks heated as she roughly squeezed the princess with her hands before dragging them back up to rest on her hips.
Marina’s fingers snaked through her hair and pulled Narra closer, gently tugging, then nipping on her lower lip.
Warmth spread through Narra, and her mind swam as she gripped Marina’s hips tighter.
Ever so softly, she heard the quiet crinkle of paper from the pocket of Marina’s skirts. Her heart leapt as she realized what it was. The birth certificate.
The realization was like throwing ice water over her entire body. Her heat fled, and her mind caught up with her. Though she continued to kiss the princess, her head was back where it should be.
No matter what she felt for Marina, no matter how many sparks flew when they were together, Marina had still betrayed Narra. And Narra didn’t forgive so easily, especially when her family was still on the line.
One of Marina’s hands tugged her closer, and the other reached for the buttons of Narra’s shirt. While the princess was distracted, Narra slipped her fingers into the pocket of her skirt until parchment brushed her fingertips.
Victory .
Her heart pounded as she carefully slipped it from Marina’s skirt.
Marina must have realized something was wrong, as she pulled back, breathing heavily. She opened her eyes, emotion clouding the intense hazel color.
“Narra,” she whispered, breathless.
Narra took a moment to slow her breathing, closing her eyes and savoring the delicate vanilla scent of the princess. Then she pulled back against Marina’s protests.
“What are you doing?” Marina asked. “Come back here.”
Narra shook her head, then brandished the paper between her fingers. Though the parchment was folded, it was thin enough she could see the familiar style of Rovan birth certificates in the lantern light.
Marina gasped, her hands flying to her pocket. Her eyes widened when she found nothing. “You tricked me!”
“And you did the same to me,” Narra said, her tone flat.
Marina looked between Narra’s eyes and the certificate. Despair curled her lips down and settled in her eyes. “What are you going to do with that?”
Narra flicked it open, pretending to peruse it. “I’m going to publish it, and force you to step down. Asher will be declared the rightful emperor, and he will release my Thieves and your prophet.”
Marina tilted her head back in a laugh. “You really think my uncle would do that? He wouldn’t steal my crown.”
“He’s already agreed.”
Marina blanched. “You’re lying.”
Narra raised an eyebrow. “Believe what you want.”
The princess huffed. “What do you want with the prophet? She foretold the coming of Srah, and the reunification of government and church. I will be empress. She saw it.”
Narra looked at her in surprise. So, Marina actually bought into all of that? “She was drugged when she made those predictions. Nothing she said has any validity.”
Marina narrowed her eyes. “Of course it does. She’s seen things no one could have predicted.”
“Like what?”
“It isn’t your business, Narra. Now give that back and leave before I scream.”
“Screaming will do you no good.” She glanced up at the window and smiled. It was plenty big enough for her to leap through.
Marina looked over her shoulder, and her eyes widened as she realized Narra’s meaning. “Damn it, Narra. You’re such a fool. It was so easy to manipulate you, and now you’re letting my uncle do the same.”
Narra levelled her a look . She was certain Asher wasn’t manipulating her. He was too honest a man, even if his lies had nearly gotten her killed. Even as he’d lied, she had seen the honesty in his eyes, and the guilt and the pain it had caused him. He’d never try to do what Marina had done to her. Not to mention, it was her plan. She was the one who told him that he was the rightful emperor.
“Mock me all you want,” Narra said as she turned to leave. “Your reign of terror ends today.”
“ S top!” Marina shouted, but Narra just kept walking. “Stop, right now!”
Narra had to resi
st giving her a mocking smirk over her shoulder. She’d gotten what she needed from Marina. It was time to go and carry out the rest of her plan. If she worked fast, she could get the certificate published in tomorrow’s newspaper.
“Stop, Narra! If you leave with that, I’ll kill your entire Guild and Caroline before you can publish that stupid shred of paper,” Marina said.
Narra froze, her heartbeat speeding up. No, she couldn’t. Could she?
Marina sighed with relief. “That’s right, Narra. Disobey me, and I will kill them all before you can implement your silly plan.”
Her fists balled, crumpling the paper in her hand. “You wouldn’t.”
Marina laughed. “You don’t know the lengths I would go to, to save this empire.”
Narra turned around. She ground her teeth as she assessed Marina’s face. Her jaw was set, her gaze like steel. She meant it. Damn.
“You’re a monster.” Narra’s hand instinctively went for the knives at her belt. She wanted so badly to draw one and launch it right into Marina’s cold, dead heart. But her fingers froze on the metal hilts. She couldn’t kill Marina. No matter how much she loathed the woman, part of her still burned for Marina’s kiss.
“Maybe from the point of view of a villain,” Marina said softly.
Narra’s mind raced as she tried to come up with a plan. There had to be some way out of this. Some way to get around Marina killing her Guild. Narra wanted to see Asher on the throne. She wanted the empire to improve beneath his leadership. But she wouldn’t risk her Thieves to get him there.
“How about this,” Marina began. Malice sparked in her eyes. “Give me back the certificate, and I’ll release your Thieves and the prophet.”
Narra narrowed her eyes. That was easy. Far too easy. There had to be a catch. Marina would demand to have the certificate first, then scream for her guards. Or maybe she’d wait until the Thieves were out the gates, and then as soon as she had the certificate, her guards would ambush and slay them all.
She didn’t like her choices. Either she went along with Marina’s offer, saved the Thieves, and lost her leverage, or she kept her proof of Asher’s legitimacy and lost her entire Guild.
Clockwork Thief Box Set Page 45