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“Harlots can’t be picky” She helps me step into them and pull them up I yank the skirt on over thelass “Perfect” She nods, then returns to the drawers and pulls out a white scarf that she fashions into a turban to cover her brown hair, then another she uses to hide her face, though she lets it hang down at the moment

“Maybe I should have opted for your outfit?” I look down at all the skin I’

“And disappoint Gareth after you pro room You’ll need some kohl on your eyes and a few more touches”

“Fancy”

She grins “You haven’t seen anything yet”

8

Gareth

“—isn’t up for discussion” Chastain paces in front of olden closure on the stupid shirt

“I’m not yours to coolden collar irritatesshort of a hideous chandelier

Chastain keeps up “No, but you’ve agreed to help us, and I expect that agreement to be honored”

I whirl on hi my word?”

“Of course not” He throws his hands up “But you have to trust that Sil We know Cranthum and we know Zatran far better than you ever could”

“I don’t doubt that, but your plan is rash”

“No, it’s exactly e need” Chastain runs a hand through his hair, the strain evident in the slight shake of his fingers “And I don’t like it either!” He sla from the hole he leaves “You think I want to do this? I don’t But—”

“What’s going on?” Silmaran strides toward us, her face covered and a curved sword strapped to her side

“Nothing” Chastain recovers somewhat “We’re ready”

“Parnon?”

“He’s gone with Eldra to arrange the chariot We’ll in the ruse”

“Good” She checks a set of knives strapped just under her blouse

“Where’s Beth?” I peer over her head at movement down the hall

Silmaran steps past me

My breath utterly stops, perhaps my heart, too

A vision in ereen saunters toward auzy e Her eyes are rihts I can’t begin to comprehend The rest of her is a feast for the eyes—her pert breasts swelling over the top of a thin band of green fabric, bare ination fro That’s when I see the part of the outfit that nearly bringsbut a thong of leather keeping the scrap of green against her body

“Steady on, Gareth” Chastain claps a hand on my shoulder

“Don’t look at her” I reach her in three steps, just as she turns around “Oh, the filthy things I a to do to you”

She bats her lashes “Well, you’re supposed to, my lord After all, I’m your harlot”

I lean closer, scenting her hair that cascades over one shoulder, feeling the heat radiating frohs

“Reer between her breasts, down her sto around her waist “Don’t get too invested”

“Too invested?” I loo I take what is h it claws and roars I lick aze follows the s “When I claim you, my beloved, I want you to reive it back ten-fold when I’ht cunt”

“Gareth!” Her gasp moves the thin fabric draped across her sensuous mouth

“Just re

“Glad that’s all settled” Parnon pushes past us “Let’s go We need to be at the city gates before sundown”

Chastain leaves a wide berth as he passes, his gaze firmly on Sil looks, though

“Gareth?” Beth breathes