14

Chapter 8

Slipping into the palace wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. All it took was a borrowed uniform and a well-timed smile to a weary palace servant in need of a quick break. The palace staff were so used to new faces coming and going, it didn't take much to blend in. The real challenge, however, was staying inconspicuous once inside.

The tension in the air was palpable. Though news of the assassination attempt hadn't reached the public, the palace buzzed with whispered rumors. Every servant I passed exchanged furtive glances, and the guards stationed at every corridor junction and doorway looked sharper, more alert than usual. I kept my head down, moving with purpose as I navigated the winding halls, trying to absorb the layout without drawing too much attention.

The corridors felt like a maze of shadows, the only sounds the muted clinks of armor and the soft murmurs of servants. Captain Rynn's quarters were in the guards' barrack tower, that much I'd gathered from the snippets of conversation I overheard in the servants' wing. But getting into the barracks would be no simple task--not with so many eyes on me.

I needed a way in. And that's where the fun part came in.

The main hall was filled with off-duty guards, their armor loosened, a few of them nursing tankards of ale as they swapped stories and complaints. I caught the eye of one--a young, fit guard with sandy hair and a cocky smile. He was easy prey, and from the way his gaze lingered on my hips as I moved toward him, he clearly thought I was, too.

"Long shift?" I asked, leaning against the wall next to him, my tone casual and friendly, but with just the right amount of flirtation.

He grinned, looking me up and down. "Too long. But I think my night just got a whole lot better."

I gave him a coy smile, brushing my fingers lightly over his arm. "You know, I've always had a thing for men in uniform," I said, letting my voice drop into a playful whisper. "And from what I hear, the guards' barracks are where all the fun really happens."

He chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. "You've heard right. And I could give you a tour, if you're interested."

I leaned in, my lips brushing his ear as I whispered, "I'm very interested."

Getting into the barracks was almost too easy. The sandy-haired guard led me to the tower entrance, where two of his fellow guards were posted. When they saw me with him, they exchanged knowing smirks and let us through with barely a second glance. Apparently, bringing women into the barracks for a little off-duty fun wasn't unusual.

He led me to a long room, lined with beds and little else. As soon as we were inside, he wasted no time, his hands on me the moment the door closed. I let him guide me to a bed, my mind racing with the real plan.

The idea was simple enough: have sex with him, wear him out, and once he was asleep, I could snoop around, maybe even slip out and explore the tower further. Ideally, I'd spot something useful while we were at it, but as he eagerly pulled me onto the bed, it quickly became clear that he wasn't interested in taking things slow. He pressed me onto the bed, his breath hot against my neck as he fumbled with his armor, clearly more excited than I'd expected.

He was all clumsy eagerness, fumbling with his armor and my clothes. I pretended to match his energy, gasping and moaning in all the right places, though my eyes were scanning the room for any sign of useful information. But with him on top of me, it was nearly impossible to keep my focus.

And worst of all, with him on top of me, it was nearly impossible to keep my focus.

"Gods, you're, something else," he muttered between heavy breaths, his movements becoming more frantic.

I smiled weakly, though my mind was elsewhere, trying to figure out how to prolong this enough for him to fall asleep afterward. But before I could even suggest slowing down, he groaned loudly, his body tensing as he finished far sooner than I'd hoped.

I bit back a sigh of frustration as he collapsed onto the bed beside me, panting heavily, a satisfied grin on his face. He had barely lasted a few minutes, leaving me no time to even glimpse anything useful.

"That was incredible," he muttered, rolling onto his back, clearly pleased with himself.

I forced a smile, resting a hand on his chest. "You were amazing," I cooed, hoping to coax him into letting me stay a little longer. "We could go again? Take our time this time."

But before I could even think about offering more, he was already pulling himself up, glancing toward the door. "I'd love to, sweetheart," he said, sounding genuinely apologetic, "but I've got to get you out of here before anyone notices. We're not supposed to bring visitors into the barracks."

I sat up, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice. "Oh, come on, we were just starting to have fun."

He chuckled, shaking his head as he grabbed his shirt. "Believe me, I had my fun, but I need to stay out of trouble." He quickly dressed, moving toward the door as if he'd done this routine a hundred times before.

I bit my lip, trying to think of a way to prolong this, but he was already holding the door open for me, gesturing for me to leave. "Come on, love," he said, his voice firm but still friendly. "I'll walk you back. You've got to go."

I sighed, reluctantly sliding off the bed and pulling my dress back into place. "Alright, alright," I muttered, flashing him a coy smile, though inside I was already plotting my next move. "But if you change your mind,"

"I'll let you know," he said with a grin, guiding me back down the stairs toward the exit. The guards at the door barely looked up as we passed, giving me a final nod as I slipped out into the main hall.

For a moment, I stood there, watching the sandy-haired guard disappear into the crowd. I cursed under my breath. This wasn't how I'd planned things.

But I wasn't giving up that easily.

I waited for about an hour before slipping back toward the barracks. The guards posted at the door were still the same--bored, distracted, and easy to manipulate. As I approached, I put on a shy, flustered expression, wringing my hands nervously.

One of the guards raised an eyebrow as I got closer, clearly recognizing me from earlier. "Back again, love?" he asked with a smirk.

I looked down, feigning embarrassment. "I, um, I think I left something in there. When I was, with him." I blushed deeply, biting my lip. "It was a bracelet. Nothing valuable, just, sentimental. Could I slip back in for a moment?"

The guards exchanged amused glances before shrugging. "Go on, then. Just be quick about it."

I smiled gratefully, that trick worked every time, slipping past them and into the barracks once more. This time, there was no one to rush me out. As I made my way up the stairs, my heart raced with excitement. Now, with the guard out of the way, I could finally start to explore.

Chapter 9

The barracks were eerily quiet as I made my way through the narrow corridors, my footsteps light and silent on the stone floors. Most of the guards were either on duty or asleep, which gave me the perfect opportunity to slip past unnoticed. I kept my head down, moving quickly but cautiously. The tension in the air was thick, and I knew I had limited time before someone realized I didn't belong here.

I made my way toward the upper levels of the tower, where Captain Halder Rynn's quarters were located. His room would be larger, more private, and--if I was lucky--full of clues about his involvement in the assassination attempt. I wasn't here to speculate. I needed hard evidence, something that would tie him to the plot or point me in the right direction.

After a few minutes of creeping through the shadowy halls, I found it: a heavy wooden door with an iron lock. Rynn's quarters. I glanced over my shoulder to ensure no one was watching, then reached for my lockpicks.

The lock was more complicated than most, but nothing I couldn't handle. Within moments, the lock gave a soft click, and I eased the door open, slipping inside and closing it quietly behind me.

The captain's quarters were far more lavish than the rooms I had passed on my way up. There was a large oak desk piled with papers, a sword mounted on the wall, and a sturdy bed in the corner. For a man of his standing, it was exactly what I expected.

I moved quickly, my eyes scanning the room for anything useful. The desk seemed like the best place to start, so I began rifling through the papers, searching for anything that might connect him to the assassination.

Most of the documents were official-looking reports--routine guard business, complaints from nobles, lists of assignments. But one thing caught my eye: a series of reports on the investigation into the assassination attempt on Prince Harken. From the looks of it, Captain Rynn was actively involved in the investigation, his handwriting all over the reports, detailing interviews with palace staff and guards who had been on duty the night of the attack.

I frowned, flipping through the pages. None of it pointed to him being involved--if anything, he seemed determined to get to the bottom of it. There was nothing here that tied him to the assassin. No letters, no secret payments, nothing.

As I closed one of the ledgers, frustration gnawed at me. If Rynn wasn't involved, then who was? There had to be something I was missing.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard it--the faint sound of footsteps outside the door. My heart raced as I looked around for a place to hide. The only option was a large wardrobe near the back of the room. I quickly slid inside, pulling the door shut behind me just as I heard the key turning in the lock.

Through a thin crack between the wardrobe doors, I saw Captain Rynn enter the room, but he wasn't alone. A woman followed him in, her giggles filling the air as she clung to his arm, her voice playful and flirtatious.

I couldn't see her face clearly, but her voice was unmistakably one of authority, someone who was used to getting what she wanted.

"Well, Captain," she purred, her voice light with amusement, "I do hope you're not too tired from all this investigation. You've been working so hard."

Rynn laughed softly, his hands already roaming over her body as he led her toward the bed. "Not too tired for you, Your Grace."

My breath caught. Your Grace. My heart raced as the pieces started to fall into place. This wasn't just some noblewoman in his bed--it was the queen.

From the wardrobe, I watched as the queen dropped some papers on the desk as they tumbled onto the bed, their voices lowered to hushed whispers, though it wasn't long before the sound of their lovemaking filled the room. I winced, trying to focus on the conversation rather than the noises, but it was hard to ignore the captain's grunts and the queen's breathy moans.

Between the sounds of their passion, the queen's voice cut through with sharp, purposeful questions. "Tell me, Halder, how is the investigation going? I want to know everything."

The captain's voice was muffled between labored breaths. "Not well, Your Grace," he muttered. "We've hit dead ends, and the assassin, he didn't leave much behind."

The room was filled with the scent of their bodies--their sweat, their pheromones, the hint of their perfume. It was intoxicating, and I found myself leaning closer to the wardrobe, drawn in by the sound of their lovemaking. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched them move together, their bodies entwined in a dance of passion.

The queen's tone sharpened. "But there's something, isn't there? You wouldn't be wasting your time otherwise."

Rynn's hands roamed over her body, his fingers tracing the contours of her curves, his lips pressing kisses along her neck and shoulders. The queen moaned softly, her hips arching into him, her legs wrapped around his waist. It was clear that they were lost in each other's arms, their passion evident in every move they made.

Rynn groaned as she moved atop him, his breath catching before he spoke again. "We think, we think the payment, came from the merchant class. That's the best lead we've got. But it's difficult to track, whoever did this, covered their tracks well."

The queen's voice softened, but there was still an edge to it. "The assassin tried to kill my son. I want whoever did this brought to justice. I want their heads on spikes."

My pulse quickened. She wasn't just asking questions--she was invested. Whoever had hired the assassin wasn't just after the prince; they had attacked the queen's family. The attempt wasn't just a political move--it was personal.

As the sounds of their lovemaking grew louder, I focused on what I had just learned. Rynn had no idea who had hired the assassin, but the payment had likely come from the merchant class. That narrowed things down considerably.

I thought back to Elira's list. There was only one name on that list connected to the merchants: Mira Solan. A powerful trader with her fingers in every pie, Mira was known for knowing more than she should about the dealings of the city's elite. If anyone had the means--and the motive--to finance an assassination, it was her.

As the rhythm of their lovemaking increased, so did my arousal. I could feel myself becoming increasingly turned on by the sight before me--the graphic rutting fuck before me. My nipples hardened under the weight of my corset, and I found myself rubbing against the fabric, desperate for release.

Despite my best efforts to focus on their conversation instead, it was impossible not to be drawn into the scene. Every whispered word, every moan and groan echoed through the room, filling me with a sense of anticipation. I wanted them. I needed them.

Their bodies moved together in perfect sync, their rhythm matching each other's every thrust. I could see the strain on their faces, the way they gasped for breath between moans and groans. It was clear that they were pushing themselves to new heights, each wanting more than the other.

In the quiet of the wardrobe, I found myself growing increasingly turned on by the scene before me. My fingers had already started to tingle with arousal as I watched them fuck, and now, as their passion reached its peak, I couldn't help but reach down between my legs.

I slid my hand up under my dress, I could still feel the residue from the guards' pathetic attempts earlier. My hips rocked back and forth on my hand, my body desperate for release. I could feel myself dripping wet, my pussy soaked from the intensity of my desire.

Their climax came swiftly, a loud orgasm that echoed through the room. My heart pounded in my chest, matching the rhythm of their lovemaking. I moaned along with them, quiet as possible, but still unable to suppress my own pleasure.

As they fell back onto the bed, spent and sated, I stayed still, barely daring to breathe as the queen murmured softly, "I trust you'll keep this between us, Captain?"

"Of course, Your Grace," Rynn muttered, his voice slurred with exhaustion.

Satisfied, the queen rose from the bed, adjusting her dress. "Keep me informed," she said before slipping out of the room as silently as she had come.

Captain Rynn lay there for a few more moments, his chest rising and falling heavily before he finally drifted into sleep.

Once I was sure the captain was out cold, I slipped from the wardrobe and crept toward the door, easing it open and sliding into the hallway. My mind was racing with everything I had learned. The queen was involved, though her interest seemed to be more about protecting her son than being part of the plot. But the fact that the payment had come from the merchants,

Mira Solan was my next target. I needed to find her--and fast.

As I made my way out of the barracks, the pieces were finally starting to come together. The real question was, how deep did this conspiracy go? And how many more people were involved?

Chapter 10

I needed someone with ties to the merchant world--someone like Lenn, my previous client, the poor fool who had gambled away his wedding ring to Hamish. His connection to Greyhaven's merchant class would be my ticket to Mira Solan.

I had a feeling he wouldn't mind a visit from me. After all, I had saved his marriage and his pride, though it had cost him a fair bit of coin in the process.

Finding Lenn was easy enough. The next morning the merchant guild's district was buzzing with activity, and Lenn was exactly where I expected him to be--holed up in his shop, overseeing the latest shipments of fine silks and spices. He looked up from his ledgers when I entered, his round face breaking into a nervous smile.

"Katie! What a surprise," he said, his voice warm but edged with wariness. He probably thought I was here to ask for more money, given my reputation for never showing up without an angle. "What brings you by? I hope everything's alright?"

I sauntered over to his desk, flashing him a sweet smile, the kind that always put men like Lenn at ease. "Everything's fine, Lenn. In fact, I was hoping you might be able to help me with something."

Lenn blinked, his eyebrows shooting up. "Me? Help you?"

I leaned against his desk, letting my fingers trail lightly over the edge as I met his gaze. "You've got connections, Lenn. Connections in the merchant world. And I happen to need an introduction to someone who's rather difficult to meet."

He frowned slightly, clearly trying to figure out what I was getting at. "Who are you trying to meet?"

"Mira Solan," I said smoothly, watching for his reaction.

His eyes widened, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Mira Solan? What business do you have with someone like her?"

I smiled, tilting my head slightly, giving him just enough of a flirtatious edge to keep him intrigued. "That's my business, darling. But I know you can help me. You've got connections in the guild, and Mira's one of the most powerful merchants in Greyhaven. I just need an introduction, a reason to speak with her."

Lenn's expression grew more cautious. "Katie, Mira Solan isn't someone you just met. She's dangerous. She knows everything about everyone, and if she doesn't like the look of you, well, let's just say things can get complicated."

I pouted slightly, leaning in a little closer. "Oh, come on, Lenn. I've dealt with dangerous people before. I think I can handle Mira. And besides, I saved your marriage, didn't I? Surely you owe me a favor."

He winced, clearly torn between wanting to stay on my good side and not wanting to get too involved with Mira Solan's world. "I, I don't know, Katie. This could backfire. Mira's not someone you just stroll up to."

I leaned in even closer, letting my hand rest lightly on his arm. "Lenn," I said softly, my voice dripping with sweetness, "you wouldn't leave me out in the cold, would you? After everything we've been through? I'm just asking for an introduction. Nothing more. You set up the meeting, and I'll handle the rest."

Lenn hesitated, his face flushing slightly as my fingers brushed his arm. I could see the conflict in his eyes--the need to help me and the fear of getting on the wrong side of Mira Solan. But I knew which way this was going to go. Men like Lenn were always easy to persuade when you knew which buttons to push.

Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair. "Alright, alright. I'll set up a meeting. But you owe me for this, Katie."

I flashed him a winning smile, letting my fingers trail down his arm as I pulled away. "You're a lifesaver, Lenn. I knew I could count on you."

He shook his head, still looking a little nervous. "Just be careful, alright? Mira's not someone to take lightly."

I smiled and winked. "Don't worry, I'll be on my best behaviour."

The meeting with Mira Solan was arranged two days later, at another high-end tavern frequented by merchants and nobles alike. The Silver Leaf was one of the most exclusive spots in Greyhaven, a place where powerful deals were made over fine wine and the best information could be bought for the right price. I arrived early, dressed in a sleek, understated outfit that wouldn't draw too much attention but still spoke of someone who knew how to navigate the upper echelons of society.