Page 56 of A Thief to Die For

I whip around and can’t find her, until I peer into the trees. She’s unbelievably beautiful in a simple green dress, bent over and engrossed in a serious conversation with Little John. My stomach flips. Her long hair is draped around her shoulders, and I remember all too well how it felt between my fingers. The tightness in my chest releases, although not completely. Now that a night’s passed, I hope she doesn’t go back to keeping her distance, thinking she’s protecting everyone. And I really hope she doesn’t regret what happened between us in my tent.

Marian removes something that looks suspiciously like a slingshot from her pocket and signals Little John to hide it. He does, then throws his arms around her waist. As I approach, she laughs, and it’s glorious.

I knew they were friends.

‘I think I know where this came from,’ Little John says proudly.

Marian looks intrigued.

‘The Shadowed Saint,’ he says, voice dropping low.

She straightens. ‘The Shadowed Saint?’

Little John nods vigorously. ‘Yeah, he’s been helping us. Giving us stuff. I bet he found out that guard stole my sword, so he got me this. But don’t tell anyone; he’s a secret.’

Her laughing eyes flick to me, in disbelief. ‘I’m not sure there’s a Shadowed Saint. But if there was, what makes you so sure he’s a man?’

‘He is a man,’ Little John says back, outraged. ‘I thought he was someone else, but now I think … I know who he is.’ His eyes tentatively slide to me.

‘Oh, really?’ Marian bites her lips, taking a breath. ‘Well, then, if you see this Shadowed Saint, tell him …’ She pauses, fiddling with her hands, before lifting her shy gaze to meet mine. ‘Tell him I’d like to meet him behind the waterfalls tonight.’

A live current jolts through my veins.

‘I will.’ Little John gives me a not-so-secret look, then runs off.

‘I’m surprised to see you here, Marian,’ Brother Thomas says. ‘You don’t usually come around.’

Marian grows serious. She flicks a glance at me and must decide I’m allowed to hear this. ‘I’ve been thinking about it. What if I’ve been approaching this wrong? Maybe I shouldn’t be avoiding the Dresden. If I’m here more, I can step in when things go sideways with the guardsmen, like with Soren. And the people didn’t seem to have a problem with my presence last night.’

Brother Thomas inclines his head. ‘It also means you’ll be seen as sympathetic to us. The Commander won’t like that. He may blame you should things … keep going wrong.’

She’s more likely to get caught.

Marian presses her knuckles to her lips. ‘Neither way is safe. But for now, with Soren being so destructive, I think I should be around more. It makes you less vulnerable. Also … I want to get to know the people better. I don’t want them to be afraid of me.’

The minister doesn’t look so sure at her plan, but he nods. ‘So you’re here to join the party, then?’

She shrugs half-heartedly, then strains to look over his shoulder to where the music and dancing are. ‘Just watch from the outskirts. Maybe.’

‘Then can I have this dance?’ I ask, and offer her my hand. My gut lurches at the possibility of touching her again – and also maybe because I don’t have a clue how to do these Dresden dances. But I’ll figure it out.

Marian’s eyes light up, then tighten as she studies the crowd.

‘We can stay back here,’ I suggest as Brother Thomas takes that as his cue to leave. ‘Or do you think you should give your ankle a rest?’

‘It’s doing better, thanks. I’ve wrapped it.’

Her fingers slip into mine, and just like last night, my skin comes alive. The shock of it travels through my body, wiping away every distraction or thought except the feel of her hand. Living in this moment.

Why is it like this with her?

Little John pops his head out from behind a tree. ‘Ooooooh, he likes you.’ A full belly laugh erupts out of him. ‘I knew it. He’s always asking about you. Where’s Marian?’

‘Is that true?’ Marian shoots me a teasing sideways glance. ‘You were looking for me?’

I run a hand over my head and clear my throat, while smiling like a fool. This isn’t her putting on a show for the Commander. She’s genuinely flirting with me – and it’s potent. ‘Yes,’ I say plainly. Then I spin her, so her back is to the annoying seven-year-old, giving me a second to think. Take a chance, before you regret it. Nothing in this hellfire landscape is guaranteed – especially time. I swallow. ‘And it’s true, I do really like you.’

Her eyes flash with surprise, and a flush jumps to her cheeks.