Prince of Traitors

Jasper

"Blond is a good look on you," Rahmi says. I laugh a little nervously as he grins at me.

My mind reels. Does he know who I am, now that the dark brown dye has faded? Did Judeth reveal the truth to Rahmi about her passenger?

If Rahmi knows anything, he doesn't show it. His expression is jovial as usual, his hands on his narrow hips. His shirt is characteristically open at the collar under his jacket. "What are you doing here?" I ask. "I didn't think you were crossing over the border."

He shrugs his thin shoulders. "I'm not bound to the caravan. I go where work finds me," he says. "Besides, I thought you and Owin were going to Wrensera. Where is our lovely friend?"

"She's here somewhere, I'm sure," I say with a small laugh.

He raises an eyebrow at Nimia, who stands tensely next to me with her hand clasped in mine. "And who is this?"

"Uh, this is Nimia," I say.

"You know my sister?" she asks Rahmi, tilting her head to one side.

He grins at her. "Of course," he says. "Spitfire, that one. So, what is it you're doing in Astria, anyway?"

"Uh, traveling," I answer. "Just passing through. Are you working a job here?"

Rahmi's grin is crooked. "Something like that." He beckons us along as he begins to turn. "Walk with me, will you?"

Nimia keeps a tight hold on my hand as we walk beside Rahmi. He chatters away along the cobblestoned street, enrapturing Nimia with stories about his travels around the world. I'm only half listening, my feet following Rahmi absently.

Rahmi drifts ahead of me, my feet slowing a little. It takes me a moment to realize he's stopped talking, his strides slowed to a halt. His back is to us as he stands stiffly.

"Rahmi?" I begin warily. "Something wrong?" Nimia and I glance at each other, her little hand squeezing mine.

He's quiet for a long time. He doesn't turn around. "Sorry, mate," he says finally. He turns, and he's holding a dagger that winks in the sun. "It's nothing personal."

My breath catches and I pull Nimia against me. I start to back away.

"Don't. Move," says a feminine voice behind me.

I whirl, and behind me stands a brown-skinned woman brandishing a sword and a wicked smirk.

Nimia whimpers and clings to me as I back away from the woman. "Who the hell are you," I breathe.

The woman casually twirls her sword in her hand. "Rahmi didn't tell you about his dear sister?"

"Sister?" I begin. "Wh—I've seen you before. You're... you're the shopkeeper from Morsenas." I recognize her face now, the hazel eyes and the silver ring piercing her septum. Her hair is wound into a long coils and knotted behind her head; she's shed the hair wrap and simple dress that she wore at the shop, and traded the ensemble for a dark jacket and breeches.

She smirks. "Clever prince."

Nimia tenses next to me. "Jasper?" she says meekly. "What is she talking about?"

"You knew who I was from the beginning," I say, not taking my eyes off the woman. "Didn't you? You followed me, this entire time." I glance at Rahmi, who stands holding his dagger with a cold frown on his face. "Were you even really a part of the merchant caravan, or were you just trailing me the entire time?"

He shrugs. "A job's a job."

Anger flares hot in me. "We were friends."

"We weren't friends."

The woman hums. "The king raised the bounty on your head, Your Highness. Two million crowns—a million for each of us." She looks to her brother. "Do you think we'll get more for the little savage?"

I tuck Nimia behind me. "Leave her out of this," I growl. Her hand shakes in mine and she whimpers again, sniffling against my jacket.

The woman takes another step closer. "And why should we do that? The king knows you escaped Highcaster with a Navaarim. I doubt he'll be picky about which one we bring him."

I draw the sword at my belt and hold it between myself and the woman. "Don't touch her!" I snap. I glance at Rahmi, my heart pounding in my ears. "Please," I breathe.

A muscle flutters in Rahmi's jaw as he stares at me. His turquoise eyes flit to his sister. "Val," he says softly.

She scoffs. "Oh, please. Don't get soft on me now."

"Val, she's a child," Rahmi says. He lowers his dagger a little.

Val scowls at him. She doesn't speak for a long moment. "Fine," she growls through gritted teeth.

Rahmi steps back, lowering his blade and looking at Nimia. "Go, kid," he says.

"Before I change my mind," Val sneers.

The young girl is frozen next to me, trembling as tears roll down her cheeks. I pry my hand from hers. "Nim," I say. My voice is soft but urgent. "Nim, you have to go." She looks up at me, her eyes wide with fear.

"Jasper, no," she says, her voice wavering.

I shake my head. "Nim, go. You need to stay safe." I gently push her away.

She's trembling all over, but she slowly backs away from me. Rahmi watches me, but he stays back from her. I watch as she turns and sprints off past Rahmi, her boots skidding on the cobblestones as she turns the corner.

I'm still turned toward Rahmi as Val's hand closes over my nose and mouth from behind me, holding a rag to my face. I breathe in something cloyingly sweet, and I hear a metallic clatter as my sword drops from my hand.

My vision blurs. The last thing I see before my vision goes black is Rahmi standing over me as I fall to my knees.