THE VELVET ASSASSIN

ust enough to leave a question in his eyes. Just enough to hint at mystery. She stepped b

tching her as if she were a puzzle he

re honest," she replied, lifting h

sed. "And what truth ar

show," she said. "Isn't th

e tightening of his jaw, the quick shift in his stance. S

ter corridor leading away from the ballroom. "There's a

enough to seem coy, then

ring portraits of past kings and queens. The palace was a fortress painted in opulence. Bu

ard glowing under hundreds of hanging lanterns. White roses bloome

mured, though her mind was ca

ics," Nikolai said, stepping ahead and remov

a prince to escape anythi

y. But I c

"What about you, Contessa?

. "Not everything that moves is r

expected. "Now you're

e needed him curious,

now more about

replied smoothly, sitting besid

rtable and curious. Then he reached out, slowly, and plu

r your secre

let their fingers touch. "You'll

he could respond, a sharp vo

High

pproached briskly. "The Chanc

th a sigh. "Dut

ell. "Will I see y

hat held more than w

s fingers tightened around the rose. Beneath it

k was w

eginning

ve everything she

den, a rustle in the shadows made

he fairytal

eart

from t

canning the hedges. N

en real. Whispered,

one

invisible as

anym