Red

I could barely believe my horrible luck as I stepped into the tavern. My eyes instantly found silver eyes and I felt the intensity coming from the ocean pair that sat next to the prince.

Prince Niles grinned at my arrival as if he was happy to see me. His guard, on the other hand, seemed less than thrilled that I was here.

Though in my defense, this was my tavern. I frequent it nearly every night ever since Ezekiel has stopped giving me errands. Plus I owned a small share of it.

This was the first time I had seen the pair together. Though something told me that despite his large appearance, the Prince's guard was adept in hiding and was never too far from his duty. They were a sight to behold. The charming and meticulous Prince sat beside his imposing and intimidating guard. One had a blinding smile that drew you in while the other wore a petrifying glare that made one want to scatter from the building.

Their confusing pairing was off-putting and bad for business. And I was all about business.

MK bristled at my side though I knew his daggers weren't directed to the prince, but rather the black-cloaked male who seemed more interested in my appearance than the predators.

The prince beamed at me before whispering hushed words to the male across the booth from him.

I knew there was no way to avoid an interaction so I just crossed the clean wooden floors of the tavern and approached their booth. As part-owner of the business, I ensured cleanliness was a #1 priority. Though I knew the drunks could care less, I cared and always pushed the importance of it on the people managing the bar.

I couldn't help but notice the booth that the two males occupied. It happened to be the booth I always sat in. This coincidence didn't go unnoted.

"Ah Roisin, I'm so glad you're here. We were just discussing you," The prince beamed brightly as his guard stood at my approach.

I had no doubt that MK was the main topic of their discussion. Whatever that meant, I feared it was not good for MK and the identity that he seemed to want to hide.

With his frame towering over me, and his glare beaming down on me, I couldn't help but turn to face the Prince's Guard.

"I don't believe you two have been met. Roisin, that is Silas. Silas, this is Roisin, in all her firey glory " the Prince formally introduced us.

I couldn't help my snarky remark as I finally broke the staring contest that the Prince's guard had started. "Don't fret, we've met," I choked out before turning and grabbing a nearby chair and pulling it up to the table.

The Prince's grin somehow got brighter. Either at the fact that I spoke or that I seemed to be staying.

MK stood to my left, watching with extreme focus as Silas finally took a hint and sat back down. He didn't like the male and his predatory glare showed as much.

Once Niles processed my words, his blue-tinted skin paled slightly. I could've sworn color stained his cheeks.

"Oh right. I forgot about that. I do apologize on behalf of my guard," the Prince spoke bashfully. "He can get overzealous sometimes, I'm afraid."

The growl that sounded from the opposite side of the table nearly shook the table. MK became even more alert and warned the male with his own answering growl.

MK's growl was animalistic. Threatening and made one pause.

However, the noise that rumbled from Sila's chest was guttural. It sounded of danger and deadly promises.

"She stabbed you. I had every right to do my job at that point," Silas countered the Prince.

He chuckled and dismissed his Guard with a wave of his hand. "It was all in good fun. I deserved it," Nile's said.

I was shocked and by the waves crossing Silas's ocean blue eyes, he was too.

People had been put to death for far worse actions against a royal member. And here a royal member was, dismissing my blatant act of treachery.

"She's lucky I didn't return the favor," Silas grumbled as he fell back into his seat in resignation.

"You could've tried," I rolled my eyes and sat back in my seat.

Those ocean eyes gleamed as he glared at me again. "If I remember correctly, I was winning and let you go because the cat was dying," Silas challenged me. His words vibrated with a deep tone.

Everything about these males screamed power. Their clothes. Their attitudes. Their words. Yet here I was, challenging and toeing whatever invisible line stood between us.

"Sure, use my cat as an excuse," I glowered at the male. My word choice didn't go unnoticed by anybody at the table, especially the feline to my side. He leaned against me, the muscles in his body deigning to relax with the action.

I couldn't resist as I lifted a hand and ran it through his soft fur. The prince chuckled at the sight and, although I was unaware his glare could become even deadlier, Silas's evil look got worse.

"Where did you find your companion?" The prince asked, inquisitive.

I shook my head at the male, signaling that I wasn't going to say anything. So instead, he changed the subject.

Prince Niles filled me in on the conversation they had been having before I had arrived. Apparently, they knew I owned a major share of this tavern - among several other businesses in Illyra - and were discussing how nice all my businesses were.

How they knew what and where my shares lay, I was unaware, but their conversation told me that they knew quite a bit about me.

Though, if the Prince had any sense of observation skills, he would've picked up a lot of information about me during the lunch we shared with the Queen.

He knew I had some royal ties and assassin-like skills, but there was no way he could've known what I did for a living. However, I suppose it was no coincidence that Silas had chosen the stable to make his presence known.

He knew I lived in the Shadowed Manor.

I could only imagine the conversation shared between them as they shared all the little details that they had gathered of me.

Clever Males.

I grinned, but it was not one of good intentions.

These males were interested in my life. And nothing good ever came from insistent and nosey males. They were becoming a nuisance.

I loved handling nuisances.

My grin faltered slightly as I remembered who I was dealing with. I couldn't just kill a visiting Prince. That could cause a war. And although I was cruel, I was not cruel enough to risk many innocent lives.

Suddenly, I remembered my surroundings and zoned back into the conversation happening before me. They were discussing politics from their home continent.

Boring, yet helpful. Any information about our allies was always a good thing to have.

I continued petting the giant feline that was now sitting at my side. He was still on edge but had relaxed a bit more.

Abruptly, Niles changed the conversation and turned to me.

"So Roisin, when will you be gracing the castle's corridors again?" He asked, his charm turned up to the max.

I rolled my eyes and bit back a snarky reply that would've landed me more glaring from Silas.

Instead, I replied with, "never," and made my leave.

MK remained glued to my hip and I couldn't help but suppress a groan.

I was totally going to get drunk tonight. And those males had ruined my plans. How rude.

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Thank you for reading Chapter 19! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Comments and feedback make me happy!