Her Assassins: A Reverse Harem Fantasy (Kindred Souls Book 1) Page 2

  "But look at her. She's perfect and gorgeous and deadly and brave. Everything we could ever want in a kindred." Saber's voice was filled with longing.

  "Other than the criminal side of her." Sky snorted. "But you're right. She's everything we hoped for other than her complete disinterest in joining us."

  Their conversation wound down as they each seemed to sink into their own thoughts. It sounded like they were settling in for the remainder of the night. It was time for me to think, to plan, to escape.

  FOUR

  I woke with a jolt, sitting up so fast my head spun. When did I fall asleep? I was going to wait them out and try to sneak away. How was I even comfortable enough to sleep surrounded by three strange men?

  "Good morning. Hungry?" Sky's blue eyes twinkled at me with humor. There was no sign of Saber or Whist.

  "I'm fine." The morning air held a chill and I eyed the fire with longing.

  "Stubborn one, aren't you?" He quirked a smile at me.

  "I ran out of supplies. I was planning on restocking today in the next village."

  "We have plenty of supplies. Eat something. You're too thin." His eyes flicked down my body. Judging from the heat in his gaze, my thinness didn't bother him too much.

  I glared at him. "I said I'm fine."

  He held his hands up in surrender. "Whatever you say. But Whist makes really delicious campfire eggs. We even have a little bacon."

  My mouth watered. I'd only had tinned food and stale bread and dried cheese recently. But no. I refused to accept anything from them. It would put me in their debt and that was a place I couldn't afford to be. I pulled my precious bottle of brandy from my pack and took a swig. The smoky liquid warmed me from the inside and made some of my tension bleed away.

  "Can't say I disapprove of your type of breakfast." Sky stretched his arms high above his head, making his shirt ride up and giving me a glimpse of toned skin. I took the opportunity to study him in the morning light. He had a dark mop of curls on the top of his head and his eyes matched the color of the summer sky perfectly. His skin was sun-kissed and spread over rippling muscles. Lean, but not an ounce of extra padding on him. How did someone so gorgeous make a decent assassin? How did he hide in plain sight? From what I saw in the darkness the night before, the other two were just as attractive. Did the king like to surround himself with beauty?

  I shoved the bottle back in my pack, not liking the way he eyed my brandy. Or me. I was certainly not sharing. It was the one luxury I allowed myself. "Where are the others?"

  "They went to scout the area and make sure there aren't any guards around."

  I folded my blanket and returned it to my pack. "You three should really return to the palace and just forget you ever knew me."

  "Not going to happen, doll."

  "You can't force the kindred on me." I whipped my cloak around my shoulders and tied my boots.

  Sky smiled. "True, but we can follow you around and be generally annoying until you give in."

  I narrowed my eyes at him. "That's called stalking."

  He shrugged with careless grace. "I prefer to look at it as wooing."

  "I'm headed to the next village. You'll have to kidnap me to stop me." I raised my chin, daring him to try.

  "We aren't going to kidnap you. Well, Whist might consider it, but I won't let him. But you really should reconsider. It's dangerous."

  "Is it? The king sent you three for me. How is he supposed to know you already found me?"

  "We weren't the only ones sent to find you, doll. If the royal guard finds you first, they're to bring you to the palace."

  None of it made sense. I wasn't a revolutionary leader, I was just a traveling bard who played controversial music. "What I'm doing isn't illegal."

  "No, which is why he sent us. To make you disappear. The royal guards will bring you in for questioning and then there will be some tragic accident in the dungeons."

  "And you three always do his dirty work for him? Take out innocent citizens for daring to disagree with the royals?"

  "Usually our jobs are a bit more...specific to national security. We take out spies and assassins from other countries, threats to the royals. This was a first for us." A hint of deadly seriousness peeked from behind his mask of humor. It didn't look like their mission sat well with him. Which was something I could work to my advantage.

  "You were still going to go through with it before you realized I'm your kindred. Why would I want to join myself with people like that? Who obey without question even if it's unlawful or immoral?"

  His mask of humor returned as he shot me a silly grin. "Because we're dashing and mysterious and no one will make you as happy as we will."

  "That's not enough for me."

  He moved close, so close the heat from his body seeped into mine, his lips a breath away. "Because no one will make you feel like we can. The pleasure we can wring from your body will have you begging us for more. Anyone from your past will pale in comparison from just a simple touch from one of us."

  I swallowed hard as shivers raced up and down my spine. My nipples tightened at the dark promise in his eyes, in his voice. I leaned towards him a little, unable to fight the draw.

  He wasn't grinning like a fool anymore, his expression was filled with want. His hands reached for my waist and drew me even closer until I was plastered against him. We fit together like he was one of my missing pieces. His scent surrounded me -- sunshine and blueberries. My body sang out with triumph and bliss at being in his arms.

  He pressed a kiss at the junction of my neck and shoulder. I bit back a whimper as heat pooled low in my belly. His lips trailed up my neck and along my jaw, working me into a trembling state. I should've pulled away. I didn't want to give in to this connection. But my body had more than given in, it reached for it.

  "Kiss me." His voice was a rough command, hardening my nipples farther, making me gasp.

  Unable to disobey, I brought my lips to his and he devoured me, consuming each moan, whimper, gasp. He nipped at my bottom lip, his tongue warring me mine, conquering me.

  Against my kindreds, I lost my free will. Which was one of my major problems with kindreds.

  His hands slid up my waist and his thumbs grazed the underside of my breasts. I arched against him, craving his touch higher, rougher.

  A growl rumbled in his chest and his hands cupped my aching mounds, plucking at my nipples through the fabric of my clothes. I rubbed my legs together, desperate to relieve the ache at my center.

  It had been such a long time since anyone had touched me like this.

  My brain restarted and I jerked away from him, almost falling on my ass, breathing hard. I brushed my fingers against my swollen lips. I was no prude, I had nothing against a little fun with a pretty fellow I'd never see again, but this was different. I wouldn't be able to simply get rid of these assassins. If I gave in, the connection would be complete and they'd never let me go. And I wouldn't be able to hide from them for long.

  Sky stared at me with dark eyes, the light blue color darkened with his lust. I grasped at the rock my hand brushed against and without thinking it through, I swung my arm as hard as I could, the stone connecting with Sky's temple with a sickening crunch.

  FIVE

  The resulting pain almost sent me into unconsciousness alongside of him, but I fought it off. Kindreds experienced any physical pain they caused the other. Too bad it didn't prevent emotional pain in the same way. Dizziness clouded my head for a moment and I clenched my teeth at the brandy burning my stomach, trying to claw back up my throat.

  I hoped I didn't hurt Sky too badly. I just needed a head start.

  Scrambling to my feet, I shoved the rest of my belongings into my pack and set off in the opposite direction of the town I planned to visit. There was another not too much farther from here. Hopefully, they'd search for me in the other village and I'd be long gone by the time they figured out where I was. One more job, stock up on supplies, then I'd take their advice and lay
low for a bit.

  They needed to understand I had no interest in being their kindred, no matter what my body wanted. They'd have to get over it.

  The farther I got from them, the deeper the emptiness, the tighter the tension grew. My head still pounded from my assault on Sky. I shouldn't have kissed hum. It made the connection stronger. I did my best to ignore it, shoving the pain to the back of my mind, singing my songs under my breath to remind myself of the life I chose and the life I definitely did not want.

  The last thing I wanted was to tie myself to assassins who did the king's dirty work, regardless of them disobeying for me. It had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the bond. Kindreds can't physically hurt each other without experiencing great pain themselves. If I'd killed him, I'd be dead too.

  Worry gnawed at my belly. Worry I hurt him badly. Worry they'd find me. Worry the royal guards would be waiting for me. Worry made the wrong choice.

  I couldn't banish the reminder of how it felt to be pressed up against Sky, how his hands roved on me, how he tasted, smelled. What were Whist and Saber like?

  Too bad I'd never know.

  My breaths came a little easier once the village was in sight. I slipped my hood over my head to keep my face hidden and strode towards the market stalls. It only took me a few minutes to barter for enough supplies to last me at least a week if I was careful. Unfortunately, I had to forgo another bottle of brandy in favor of more nutritious items. With my pack full, I retreated back towards the wood-line, munching on a fresh roll. I hoped I could work in the tavern for the midday crowd. The faster I got in and out of there, the better. But I needed the job for more than my politics with the rest of my money spent on food.

  I hid my pack beneath some brush and returned to the town, eyes open for the assassins or the guards. The only thing in the village were people going about their lives. On the surface, this was a prosperous and happy village, filled with kindred souls and their families.

  But in every village there was a dark underbelly, something no one acknowledges in anything but whispers. There was the kindredless, the abused, the widowed. Most of whom weren't welcome into society. They were the ignored and forgotten, the dregs. They were who I played for even if they weren't there to hear.

  I pushed open the tavern door and took a seat at the bar. "Brandy, please." I parted with my last coin. Might as well buy something I enjoyed.

  The bartender poured a glass and pushed it across the counter. "Here ya go."

  "Thanks."

  She eyed the instrument on my back. "You're a musician?"

  I took a sip of my drink before replying. "I am. I'd be willing to play for your midday meal crowd in exchange for a coin or two or a hot meal."

  She pursed her lips in thought. "You any good?"

  "I haven't had any complaints about my skill." My lyrics, yes. But never my skill.

  She drummed her fingers against the counter. "I'll give you a hot meal and you can keep your coin for the drink and I'll add a second with your lunch."

  Not as much as I hoped, but it'd have to do. At least I had enough food to last me a bit and the coin back in case of emergency. And it'd been a long time since I'd had hot and fresh food.

  I nod. "Deal."

  "Go take a seat in the corner and I'll bring your food to you."

  I waited in a seat by the window with my back to the wall so I could see the villagers passing by and everyone inside the tavern. Those assassins were crafty. I wouldn't put it past them to figure out where I was. I needed to get out of there as soon as I could. I considered starting with some less offensive songs first so I didn't make a stir and draw attention.

  No.

  I refused to change my set or let the king make me afraid. He wouldn't shut me up. Not until he sent assassins who would actually finish the job. Until then, I would keep going. For my parents, for the dregs of society.

  The bartender brought over a steaming bowl of bordello stew with a large hunk of fresh bread and a slice of blueberry pie. A pang stabbed my chest as the scent of blueberry wafted to my nose, reminding me of Sky.

  I nodded in thanks and tucked in to the delicious food. I finished every bite, using the bread to soak up the last bit of stew, but the emptiness remained even as my hunger eased.

  I carried the dirty dishes over to the bar and handed them over. "I'll get started now, if you want."

  "Please. Hopefully you'll pull some extra customers in here."

  Feeling guilty, I did begin my set with my own version of a popular song, one everyone in Faligrey knew. I played it a bit differently, but it was still recognizable. My music trickled through the open windows and customers began to walk through the door, putting in their orders, mouthing along to the song.

  The bartender grinned over at me and I threw her another bone. Her food was really good. Besides, the more people I tempted with regular bar songs, the more people would hear my message.

  A few coins landed in my hat and I was even more at ease. Changing my plans and coming to this village instead worked out perfectly.

  I moved into one of my originals and no one acted offended, they still seemed to be enjoying the show. It energized me and my voice rose.

  A hush fell and then the muttering began. Just like usual. I knew it was too good to be true. Even after softening them up, they still didn't want to hear what the world was really like. They were blind to the truth. They were comfortable living the lie because the law worked for them, it didn't effect them negatively like it did so many of us. They didn't want free will and choices. It was easier this way.

  I noticed the bartender from the corner of my eye staring at me with a smile on her face. At least I didn't seem to be offending her. I guessed she'd gotten her pay from the crowd, it didn't matter if they left in offense now.

  My confidence plummeted when four royal guardsmen stomped through the door.

  SIX

  My strings almost snapped beneath my fingers. I grasped my ukulele and raced for the back exit. The bartender moved out of my way, instead of blocking me like I expected.

  One of the guards seized the back of my cloak, but I kicked back at him, smashing him right in the knee with the heel of my boot. He screamed in pain and I ripped away from him, barreling through the back door and sprinting for the woods where I hid my pack.

  Someone grabbed me around the waist and yanked me into a body carrying a familiar scent. Sunshine and blueberries.

  Sky.

  I relaxed against him, the assassins less of a threat than the royal guards, the constant ache disappearing at his touch. The void filled back up. Damn this connection. Damn it straight to hell.

  "You gonna knock me out again, doll?" He whispered the question into my ear.

  "Not at the moment. I have bigger problems." I fought against my body's desire to press back into him.

  "Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Saber and Whist are handling it."

  He set me down and spun me around. I winced at the dried blood and swelling on the side of his face.

  "Sorry." I did mean it. And not just because of how much it hurt me.

  "You can make it up to me later." His eyes smoldered at me and I tried to hide my shivery reaction. It was ridiculous how my body responded to him, to all three of them.

  With more of an effort than I would ever admit to, I pulled away from him. "I need to get my pack."

  "Where is it?"

  I gestured behind me. "I hid it in the woods."

  "Lead on, doll."

  After taking stock of our surroundings, I headed in the direction of my hiding spot. I still didn't want to hide away with three assassins, but I was also not interested in being arrested and taken to the palace. Maybe lying low with them for a while was a good idea. They were clearly not going to leave me alone. And I couldn't run from them and the royal guard.

  "You can't run from us again. We can't keep you safe if you keep performing like this." Sky's words echoed my thoughts.

 
Which apparently did nothing but bring out my contrariness. "I don't need you to keep me safe."

  He rolled his eyes as he held back a low-hanging branch for me. "Sure. You're doing great on your own. But now that Saber and Whist have dealt with the guards, word will get back to the king faster than we wanted. We're blown and that makes things even hotter for you. We're your best chance at getting through this alive."

  I blew out a sigh as I dug out my pack. He had a point. If I hid out for a bit, maybe things would calm down and the king would forget about me. I was just some bard, not a threat to the country. It wasn't like I was the leader of some uprising.

  But if I stayed with the assassins, I could lose myself in them. I didn't know how long I'd be able to hold out against the feelings they brought out in me. I didn't know what to do.

  "Fine. I'll stay with you three. For now."

  Sky took my arm. "Come on. We need to put some distance between us and this town."

  I stumbled a bit in his wake. "What about the others?"

  He steadied me and slowed his pace. "We have a rendezvous spot planned. They'll meet us there."

  "What if more guards come?"

  Sky laughed, loud and long and hard.

  "What's so amusing?" My voice was sharp with annoyance. Did he take anything seriously?

  "The thought of those two not being able to handle a few guards. Hell, a few dozen guards won't be a problem. We're assassins, doll."

  I hopped over a small fallen tree. "Exactly. You're not soldiers. You sneak around in shadows and alleys and kill people before they even know you're there."

  He chuckled. "You've been reading too many novels. Granted, we do handle it that way sometimes, we're also trained in battle. Don't worry, they'll be just fine."

  The sun dipped toward the horizon, the days already growing shorter. Dark would be on us in less than two hours

  "Maybe I should hope for the opposite. That way there's only you to deal with and then I'm two steps closer to being free." The words tasted wrong in my mouth, but I said them anyway. Maybe if I resisted loudly and often, I would be convinced myself.