Free The Assassin and the Underworld by Sarah J. Maas

mistake,” he said, but winked at Celaena before he disappeared into the crowd, his armed friend close behind.
    Celaena whirled to face Sam. “What in hell was that for?”
    â€œYou’re drunk,” he told her, so close her chest brushed his. “And he knew it, too.”
    â€œSo?” Even as she said it, someone dancing wildly crashed into her and set her reeling. Sam caught her around the waist, his hands firm on her as he kept her from falling to the ground.
    â€œYou’ll thank me in the morning.”
    â€œJust because we’re working together doesn’t mean I’m suddenly incapable of handling myself.” His hands were still on her waist.
    â€œLet me take you home.” She glanced toward the alcoves. Doneval was passed out cold on the shoulder of a very bored-looking courtesan. Arobynn and Bardingale were still deep in their conversation.
    â€œNo,” she said. “I don’t need an escort. I’ll go home when I feel like it.” She slipped out of his grasp, slamming into the shoulder of someone behind her. The man apologized and moved away. “Besides,” Celaena said, unable to stop the words or the stupid, useless jealousy that grabbed control of her, “don’t you have Lysandra or someone equally for hire to be with?”
    â€œI don’t want to be with Lysandra, or
anyone else for hire
,” he said through gritted teeth. He reached for her hand. “And you’re a damned fool for not seeing it.”
    She shook off his grip. “I am what I am, and I don’t particularly care what you think of me.” Maybe once he might have believed that, but now …
    â€œWell, I care what
you
think of
me
. I care enough that I stayed at this disgusting party just for you. And I care enough that I’d attend a thousand more like it so I can spend a few hours with you when you
aren’t
looking at me like I’m not worth the dirt beneath your shoes.”
    That
made her anger stumble. She swallowed hard, her head spinning. “We have enough going on with Doneval. I don’t need to be fighting with you.” She wanted to rub her eyes, but she would have ruined the cosmetics on them. She let out a long sigh. “Can’t we just … try to enjoy ourselves right now?”
    Sam shrugged, but his eyes were still dark and gleaming. “If you want to dance with that man, then go ahead.”
    â€œIt’s not about that.”
    â€œThen tell me what it’s about.”
    She began wringing her fingers, then stopped herself. “Look,” she said, the music so loud it was hard to hear her own thoughts. “I—Sam, I don’t know how to be your friend yet. I don’t know if I know how to be
anyone’s
friend. And … Can we just talk about this tomorrow?”
    He shook his head slowly, but gave her a smile, even though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Sure.
If
you can remember anything tomorrow,” he said with forced lightness. She made herself smile backat him. He jerked his chin toward the dancing. “Go have fun. We’ll talk in the morning.” He stepped closer, as if he’d kiss her cheek, but then thought better of it. She couldn’t tell if she was disappointed or not as he squeezed her shoulder instead.
    With that, he vanished into the crowd. Celaena stared after him until a young woman pulled her into a circle of dancing girls, and the revelry took hold of her again.
    The rooftop of her new apartment looked out over the Avery River, and Celaena sat on the walled edge, her legs dangling off the side. The stone beneath her was chill and damp, but the rain had stopped during the night, and fierce winds had blown the clouds away as the stars faded and the sky lightened.
    The sun broke over the horizon, flooding the snaking arm of the Avery with light. It became a living band of gold.
    The capital began to stir, chimneys puffing up smoke from the first of the