Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant and the Villain, #3)(55)

“I’m fine. I need to get these notes to Clare. Move aside, please.” She pulled away from his arms, despite her body’s screaming protests, and reached to open the closet door. She only made it one step before he gripped her wrist.

“Sage. Talk to me. I don’t like the look on your face.”

She turned and yanked down her hand, and he released her immediately. “Then perhaps you shouldn’t have put it there. Leave me alone, Trystan. I’m tired.” Her use of his name threw him for a moment before he continued his pursuit to undo her.

“Kingsley is lucid again.”

She halted but didn’t look at him. “I’m glad.”

He was too close, the space too small, his front almost near enough to brush against her back. She couldn’t think, couldn’t take a full breath.

“The magic fading back to the earth,” he added. “I think it’s…beginning to affect Kingsley’s curse. We’re running out of time.”

“That’s not news,” she said, hating the weakness of her voice.

“Evangelina, won’t you look at me?”

She shut her eyes. Oh, that was just playing dirty.

Evie didn’t hate her full name; it was simply a mouthful and felt clunky coming from others’ lips. But from his, it sounded gritted and angry. It sounded like it meant something more than just a name.

“No. I can’t be trusted to look at you.”

He chuckled. The sound was so rare she couldn’t help but spin around to see— “HA! Dimple!” she shouted and grinned, faltering when she realized she was meant to be dramatically angry. He smirked in satisfaction, and she shoved his chest until he stumbled against the wall. His cheeks deepened in color from the fall. “You can’t laugh when I’m angry. It’s not fair.”

“Neither was you shoving me against a wall,” he barked, righting himself.

She rolled her eyes but then hummed for a moment, tilting her head and looking up in contemplation. “I love being shoved against a wall.”

His mouth fell open so fast Evie thought he’d combust right then and there. Very well. She was ready and waiting with the matches. “You— Who is shoving you against walls?”

She bit her lip and was satisfied when his eyes tracked it. “No one yet. I’m waiting for the right man to give it a go.” She winked at him, needing to distract herself, nearly vibrating with unspent emotion from the confrontation with her mother. It made her reckless. It made her bold.

It made her head hurt, in all honesty.

“Well, I wish you luck in that endeavor.” He sounded as if he wished for her luck about as much as he’d wish for him and King Benedict to hold hands. “If we’re to break Kingsley’s curse, we need to find that magic wand immediately.”

Evie reeled. “Wait a minute—”

“Pack lightly. We’ll be gone only a few days.”

“Wait a minute!” She waved her hands around frantically, and Trystan dodged them just in time. “You’re letting me come with you?”

Trystan sighed, looking younger as he ran both hands through his hair and down his face. “It’s time you take the next step and learn what it means.”

Her nose scrunched. “What it means…?”

He sighed. “To be a villain’s apprentice.”





Chapter 36


Becky


This was such a foolhardy idea, Becky thought she must have fallen, cracked her head, and slipped into a deep sleep. A bad sleep with some very bad choices.

Including knocking on the door of the healer’s quarters, but it was too late to turn back when Tatianna gently pushed it open. “Hello?” Becky said.

“Come in, Rebecka!” Tatianna called. “Evie and I are just finishing packing up a few essentials for the journey.”

Becky wrung her hands and straightened her spine. “Are you taking Fluffy?”

Evie put another jar into the medicine bag. “No. We all agreed we can’t risk being spotted by Benedict’s men or anyone else. We’ll go by horseback.” Evie smiled at her, still an oddity Rebecka had not grown used to.

“Oh. Right.” Becky licked her lips and pretended she had something stuck to her skirt.

“Rebecka, are you all right?” Tatianna asked, striding over to lay the back of her hand against Becky’s forehead. “Are you feeling ill? You look flushed.”

“I’m not sick!” She pushed Tatianna’s hands away. “I just wanted to ask your opinions on something…delicate.” She swallowed.

The two women waited expectantly.

“I’ve only ever had my brothers for reference points when it comes to speaking with, um, with…”

“Men?” Evie asked with far too much interest for comfort.

Rebecka paused, then said, “Never mind.” She spun and attempted escape.

It was too late. Evie was already barring the door with a maniacal grin. “Now, Becky, we are all friends here. Do tell us anything that’s on your mind.”

“No.” She scowled.

Evie pouted, looking like a grown version of Lyssa. “Why?”

“Because you’re far too excited about it.”

Evie deflated with a glare.