"I . . . I thought I heard something in here," she whispered, as if trying not to wake Belaset. "A snake or a rat. Could you take a look?"
She gazed up into his eyes. Not that there was much use in it. His attention hadn't left her open neckline. She steeled herself and leaned over farther.
"Please," she said. "I'd be so grateful."
He nodded, his gaze not lifting until she backed onto the pallet. The move was not so much seduction as necessity--the wagon was only big enough to hold the wide sleeping mat. But when she backed onto it, his breath caught and he started forward, as if she were pulling him into her bed. He glanced over at Belaset, who was feigning sleep.
"Where did you hear the noise, miss?" he asked, his voice thick.
"Up here. At the head of the mat."
He knelt on the pallet, his gaze on her. Then he put his hands down carefully, ready to crawl onto it, watching for any sign that she was going to stop him. When she gave none, he started forward.
I'll pretend I'm going to let him kiss me. Then I'll grab his hair and knock him unconscious. We won't need to kill--
Belaset sprang up and grabbed the guard by the hair.
"Knock him--" Ashyn began.
The blade slashed.
"No!"
It was too late. The guard's throat split before he could pull his blade. He gurgled blood. Ashyn stared in horror as Belaset grabbed her arm and yanked her toward the door.
"Hurry, child!"
Belaset pulled Ashyn outside. Ashyn resisted at first but quickly realized there was nothing she could do. She tumbled out the wagon door, hitting the ground. The night was silent and still.
"Tova," she said. "I need to find--"
"Your dog? We can't worry about him. Hurry!"
"No, go on. Keep the dagger. I'll . . ." She swallowed. "I'll take the guard's."
Belaset shook her head. "There's no time. Find your dog quickly. He can't be far."
Tova was right under the wagon. Sound asleep, still unconscious from the dart. As Ashyn shook him, her heart pounded.
He leaped up with a snort, and she threw her arms around his broad neck.
"There's no time for that," Belaset said. "Hurry!"
Belaset raced off. Ashyn untied Tova and caught up. She had no idea which way to go--the plains all looked the same to her--but she trusted Belaset. They ran until they reached a patch of scraggly bushes. Belaset crouched behind them.
"Here's where we part, child. The road is that way." She pointed. "I trust you can find your camp?"
"Come with me," Ashyn said. "You'll be safer. We're all armed. My sister is well trained with a blade, and we have a warrior escort. We'll take you back to the city."
"There is nothing for me in the city."
"Then we'll take you someplace safe."
"You've been kind, but I'm going my own way, Ashyn of Edgewood. I trust you'll allow me to take this blade."
The request caught Ashyn off guard. It was a fine dagger, one she'd used since she was a child. If Belaset wanted a blade, she should have gone back for the guard's, when Ashyn mentioned it. As soon as she hesitated, she felt shamed. Ashyn could easily get another.
"Of course," she said. "Take it. Please."