“So what’s the mission?”
“Straight to it then,” he said.
“I was hoping so.” Though it looked like he was looking for something else.
“Very well,” he said. “I need you to steal a necklace.”
I had to work hard to keep the surprise off my face. “A single necklace?”
He nodded. “A very important one.”
“So you want to hire an entire crew to steal… one piece of jewelry.”
“I don’t care how many of you it takes,” he clarified. “I just want it.”
“Where is it?”
He leaned in towards me. “Around the spoiled neck of Princess Sage Yulean.”
Chapter 1
Sage
Adjusting my corseted top, I braced myself as the carriage shook. My dalliance wiggled back into his trousers. Just like all of them, he came before I even lifted my skirts, and made no offer to get me off at all.
How typical.
“Did you have a good time?” he asked.
Did I have a good time? Would he have had a good time if he did all the work and was left unsatisfied?
That wasn’t what I said, however.
“It was wonderful,” I said with a sickly saccharine smile.
He didn’t pay it any mind though, taking my words at face value. “Great. You’re just as good as they say.” He paused, as though he realized his slip of the tongue. “I mean… you’re such good company. That’s what everyone says. We should meet again sometime.” He leaned into me, as if he meant to kiss me. I brushed out my unrinkled skirts, avoiding his advances.
“Maybe,” I said. I knew there would be no next time. Though some stuck around longer, hoping to maybe win my hand in marriage and move up in life, it never lasted long once they realized I wasn’t good for more than a good time.
It would have been annoying if I did anything to change the perception, but I didn’t. It never mattered what I did; to everyone around me, I was just a pretty face and an empty mind. And that didn’t stop me from receiving praises for doing nothing more than breathing.
I picked at my light pink nails, feeling my chest begin to tighten.
Moons, did this have to happen now?
“I have to go,” I said, as casually as I could manage. I needed to get away before this feeling got any worse.
“Oh, okay.” He opened the door for me, and it creaked on its hinges. It was hidden in the rows of others parked here by party goers. It wasn’t unusual for me to bring a partner here since it was almost always empty.
“Would you like to go back inside?” he asked.
I smoothed my skirts more fully now that I was standing, letting the large full silk fabric fall around me. My dress was a light lavender, one made by Constantine, the top dressmaker in the kingdom. I was always the first to get her lavish designs, and this one was no exception. The top was fully lace, with long sleeves that were see-through mesh with lace decorated in different places, making it look like it was glued to me. It was gorgeous, and I couldn’t lie, I loved the opportunity to wear these beautiful garments, but they always brought me attention at these things, attention that would become annoying quickly. These outings were just good for passing time, really.
“I think I’m going to head home. It’s getting late.”
The man shuffled on his feet. He wasn’t horrible to look at—they never were. His blond curls bounced on his head, and he had a decently strong jaw. His nose had a slightly large bump, but it fit him. He was perfect for my purpose, but now that was over.
“Oh, I can walk you to your carriage if you’d like.”
