Red

Three days of chaos later I stood to watch as a fancy ship docked at the harbor.

Finally.

I took note of everyone who got off the ship.

Some badly disguised guards, a stressed captain, and his exhausted-looking crew immediately left the ship.

Seems they've had a fun time getting here.

The captain and his crew wasted no time in finding the nearest bar. While some of the guards went straight to the castle, a few stayed behind and posted around the harbor.

Where's the prince?

I studied the ship from a nearby roof.

Did I miss the prince leaving?

My only tip that the prince was still on the ship was the few guards who stayed behind that anxiously kept the ship in their view.

Some even dared to glance back at it a couple of times.

Finally, the ship showed signs of life. I watched as a board on it started to wiggle. Then another. Until five boards were wiggled out of place and out crawled a cloaked figure.

The prince quickly left the ship, glancing around at the fairly empty streets, and deciding to finally start making his way to the castle.

The cloak did good at hiding him, but the sheer fabric of it tipped off his financial status.

The Prince of Urrey blessing our continent with his presence. Wonderful...

Satisfied that the Prince would make it to the castle alright, I made my way back home.

Night still filled the city and silence along with it.

I figured it to be around midnight when I arrived back at the Manors Stables.

Ivar nickered at me as I walked into the stable. Exhaustion pulled at my bones as I walked to him and smiled.

Being awake for three days straight was really starting to wear me down. This is why when I heard an unfamiliar creak in the rafters, I chalked it up to my exhaustion.

When I didn't hear the creak again I almost scoffed at myself. Zeke would kill me if he knew I have been awake for three days, especially since he gave me specific orders to switch out with someone else every eight hours. But I couldn't trust anyone else to ensure that the Prince of Urrey arrived at our harbors.

Ivar for once didn't push his head into my stomach despite my lack of attention. That's odd.

His behavior set me on edge. Enough that I caught myself taking inventory of all my weapons.

But no sounds could be heard in the barn. The occasional creak of wood is the only exception.

Due to Ivar's strange behavior, I figured it best to sleep in my own room rather than the stable. Luckily Ivar didn't throw a fit at my choice.

I left him and made my way through the Shadowed Manor. Its silence strangely comforting. I forwent grabbing a meal that Rye and Sye had set out for me, instead of just making my way up the staircase.

Immediately after reaching the third floor, I felt as if I was being watched. I paused.

Tiny hairs danced along my skin and I felt somebody watching me.

A deep voice chuckled. "Not much gets past you.." I recognized Fenris's voice before I saw him step out of the shadows.

I shrugged and watched his approach.

His confident and swaggery gait matched Zeke's. Though Zeke's gait was wider, due to him being slightly taller than Fenris.

"You've been busy lately, haven't you, The Royal Assassin," Fenris smirked, his eyes seemed to scan over me as if checking for injuries.

The Royal Assassin. I do like that nickname. Or The Assassin of Royals. I've heard both mumbled throughout the manor the past couple of days.

"Zeke's been running you dead." His eyes studied the bags under my eyes. "When was the last time you slept?"

I held up three fingers and he balked.

"Three fucking days!" His eyebrows shot up. "I doubt that prick would ever last three days."

Somebody choked in the shadows. I smirked as Fenris' eyes grew wide and he realized who had been listening in.

"As much fun as it is to talk about how long I can last," I smirked at the innuendo that Zeke hinted at. "I would like the record to show, that I specifically instructed her not to stay up for three days and she scared off all of her replacements." Ezekiel's green eyes flickered with promise as he slowly approached me.

"You disobeyed his orders?" Fenris looked at me with amusement.

I rolled my eyes and shrugged. I ensured the job got done.

"Watch it there Red." Zeke clucked his tongue at my attitude. "You've got a lot of sass for someone so easily..." His eyes flicked down my body. "Persuaded."

Who the fuck does he...

Suddenly I found myself pressed against a wall. Zeke had a smirk on his face as he slowly brought my hands above my head. Why do I always let him catch me off guard?

I glanced over Zeke's shoulder and spotted Fenris watching. His dark eyes were alit with... Lust.

Why is he so okay with this? Usually, Zeke and him go round and round.

Zeke growled when my focus moved to Fenris. The latter smirking when I got scolded.

"Eyes on me, Red." Ezekiel's green eyes focused on my lips when I turned my attention back on him. He lowered his voice as he asked, "Is this okay?"

I simply nodded. My whole body reacted to him being so close.

A deadly grin drew Zeke's lips up. "You've been bad Little Red. Not doing what I say. I'm the Head Assassin, not you... You'd do best to remember that." One of his hands kept mine against the wall, well the other drew a steady line down me. From my face to my chest, to my naval, and ending at my waistband. All the while, his eyes studied me, ensuring I was okay with his every move.

The Head Assassin making sure he has my consent... How sweet.

My eyes quickly darted to Fenris. Who was enraptured.

Zeke growled. "Eyes. On. Me."

His dominant tone made me shiver.

He smirked as his hand slowly slid between my waistband. His eyes remained on me, even when his hand found my core.

I gasped. His hand found my bundle of nerves and his fingers started to dance.

My whole body started to shiver as stars made their way into my vision. The shivers turned into trembling when Zeke increased his pace. And despite my restraint, I moaned. My hands pushed against his, but his hand remained solid.

Zeke kept building me up and up until finally, I fell. The stars burst like fireworks. Raining down fire and rain.

The trembling slowed while I got a hold of my breathing. Holy Stars.

Zeke's dark smirk remained even as he removed his hand. The other remained, holding me to the wall.

"Shit." Fenris cursed. He had his own dark smile that matched Zeke's.

Zeke slowly grabbed my chin. Turning it to face him. "You are exquisite." His green eyes were soft. A foreign expression on Ezekiel Hanson.

A deep blush painted my face. Never before has a man ever touched me like that.

Ezekiel turned around to Fenris. "Isn't she perfect?"

Fenris nodded. He had no words, but his dark eyes never left my blushing face.

Why aren't they fighting?

"Isn't it strange what can unite men?" Zeke turned back to me as he slowly released my hands. Almost reluctantly.

"I think it's way past your bedtime, Little Red," Zeke said.

I simply nodded my head. After Zeke's burning touches, my body was beyond exhausted.

"It's important for you to listen to me, Red. I know you know better." Zeke lightly kissed my forehead. "Oh and don't try and stick Fenris on me by making him think I'm running you ragged. It would be a shame to have and kill him." Zeke pulled away.

"You wouldn't last a minute against me." Fenris scoffed.

Zeke smirked, mischief and promise dancing on his lips. "There you go again, talking about how long I can last. I hate to break it to you, but I only prefer women."

The fucker is taunting him now...

Fenris' face grew serious. "Just what are you implying?"

Oh great... You hurt his pride.

Boys...

I quickly stepped between them. After all, it was just the wee hours of the morning... Wouldn't want to wake anyone.

They both saw the no-nonsense look on my face and quickly stepped back.

"Whatever," Fenris mumbled. He stalked back to his room. His pride was torn.

Even though everyone around town knew that Fenris preferred women. I've even seen him get offers by very good-looking men, but like Zeke, he doesn't swing that way. But Zeke does have that special way of getting under people's skin.

I glared at Zeke.

He grinned back at me and shrugged. "What? Got to keep him on his toes. Can't have him thinking he got that show for free, now can we?"

I rolled my eyes. Once a brash and cocky male, always a brash and cocky male.

"Goodnight Little Red," Zeke said softly. His teasing over.

I nodded my head in response and retreated to my room. My thoughts racing and pouring over what just happened.

What the hell did just happen?

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Thank you for reading Chapter Seven. I do hope you enjoyed this chapter. This was one of my first attempts at writing anything like this, so I guess feedback is always welcome. Sorry for my crazy posting schedule... Life, ya know?.. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!