Peony's Blade

dark_affinity Fantasy

When Serielle Wei, princess of Paeonia, finds evidence of a plot against her and her brother, she seeks out the help of the greatest assassin in the country.

**************

“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t slit your throat.” His voice was low, intense. She could feel his hard chest rumbling against her back like a growl from a tiger. A warning of his lethal grace, of the sharp claw he held to her neck, ready to strike if she made the wrong move.

Serielle had no doubt he could kill her within a second. It was a delicate situation, but she had been taught all her life how to handle delicate. She schooled her expression, relaxed her tense shoulders. Diplomacy never did pose a problem for her.

“I am Serielle Wei, princess of Paeonia. Any harm you inflict on me will be returned to you tenfold.”

He barked a laugh, his breath hot against her ear. She held in a shiver. “I never suspected the day would come when a little peony comes crawling into my lair.” He lifted her chin with the cold flat of his blade. “So, tell me. What business does a rose without thorns have with merciless killers?”

Serielle remained still, neither tensing nor relaxing. The moment to strike had come. “I want you to be my thorns.” She paused, letting her words sink in. “No. Thorns merely prick. I want you to be my blade.”

Unfold