Free Defiance (Rise of the Iliri Book 3) by Auryn Hadley

home for the night, killer.  I'll tack down."
    He dropped his reins and ran a finger across her chin, through the blood on her face.  For a moment, his eyes met hers, and Sal tugged him to her, their kiss savage. 
    But Jase pulled back with a sigh, his hands tight on her shoulders.  "Kitten, we really need ta kill more often.  Let's get the mare's comf'terble."
    She traced the line of his jaw with her fingers.  She had to do this now or she never would.  "Jase?"
    "Mm?"
    "I am in love with you," she whispered.  "I know it.  I'm terrified of it.  I still need it – you.  No matter what I do, don't ever let me go.  Don't let me screw this up?"
    Words failed him for a moment and he pulled her in tighter.  His cheek pressed against her soft pale hair.  A shuddering breath slipped out.  The musky scent of him made her feel safe as his arms surrounded her, protecting her from the world.  Against her hair, Sal thought she felt moisture.
    "Never," he whispered.  "I swear it, kitten.  Ayati, cessivi, I will na let ya slip away from me.  I can na.  I would die before I lose ya."

 
    Chapter 8

     
     
    With the Jonkheer dead, all that was left was to remove the King.  It took another week to ride to Dorton, Anglia's capital.  There, they found a comfortable space in the wilderness outside the city and set up camp.  The group planned to hole up there until the Marquis eventually arrived to claim his new throne. 
    Before the next king's coronation, the Blades had to find a way to get into the new ruler's good graces and persuade him to ally with the Conglomerate.  If anyone even suspected they were behind the recent string of deaths, there was no way Anglia would sign an alliance.  Which meant this assassination had to be done just right or it would all be a waste.  For two more weeks, they planned, spending their evenings hiding from the depth of winter around a crude campfire.  Twenty-two days after the death of the Jonkheer of Eriwald, the time had finally come.
    The sun was sinking in the sky, leaving fat red clouds overhead and shadows on the ground.  Sal was pacing.  The palace was too heavily guarded to risk both of them, and Jase was right, she told herself.  He was a better shot.  He was a better climber.  She turned again, walking back the way she'd come.
    Kaisae, Roo thought, He is a good hunter, all will be fine.  These things take time.
    Sal nodded but couldn't stop walking.  Hwa had slipped inside the town, promising to interfere if anything happened.  When she last saw him, he looked like any stray mongrel – the type of dog that humans never bothered to see.  She just hoped it would be enough.  The last time Jase had gone on a mission without her, he almost hadn't come home. 
    With the sky turning from pinks to purples, she reached out with her mind and checked their positions again.  She knew they felt her, but neither paused.
    Roo reached up, standing on three legs to rest her paw against Sal's leg.  You are not helping.  The more you worry, the more they will.  Sit with me and talk.  Tell me about something – it doesn't even matter what.
    Sal nodded, letting the bitch lead her over to the fire, then sank onto the moist ground.  In the sky above, the first stars were just winking back.  It was still early.  Too early to worry.
    "I hate this, you know?"
    It takes more courage to stay home than to go with the hunt, Kaisae, Roo said calmly.  Hate it all you want, but let the males have their minds.  Yours is too strong and you pull at them.
    "What do you mean?"
    You did not know? Roo's head tilted slightly as she looked up at Sal.
    She had no idea what the grauori was talking bout.  "No." 
    Sal, my friend, you have a strong mind.  You are gentle with it, but you can smother us in the link.  You amplify the thoughts of us when we're together, but you not only have a strong mind, you have a well trained one.
    Sal smiled.  Blaec.  Our leader.  He showed me how to