The Tiger at Midnight (The Tiger at Midnight Trilogy #1)(23)

“An interesting set of skills for a trading family,” he observed. Esha felt herself tighten up but tried to keep her movements natural. “Did you see anyone pass by on the road earlier?” he asked.

She saw the trap instantly. Say yes and he would insist on her staying with the soldiers tomorrow to identify whoever she claimed she saw. Say no and gain suspicion—the path through the forest was the only road from the Fort that wasn’t heavily guarded by soldiers. But the prospect of being left alone was too enticing.

She paused, acting as if she was trying to recollect her memories. “I didn’t see anyone before my horse threw me. Was there someone you were looking for? I was aiming to travel fast, and undisturbed,” she said, in a regretful tone.

It was then that he seemed to notice her pack and clothing, looking her up and down. She tensed again.

“You came prepared, that’s for sure. Is that the reason for the outfit?”

Esha swallowed her sigh of relief, watching him with careful eyes as she tipped the turban off her head and unwrapped the fabric. “It’s not that good of a disguise,” he said, the corner of his mouth quirking as she shook her hair out.

She looked up sharply, unable to hide the offense on her face.

“No, I don’t mean to insult,” he said quickly. “I mean, it would be hard for anyone who’s seen you to forget you.” His words came out soft, as if he were unwilling to give them up.

He thought her pretty. The realization warmed Esha more than it should have, aside from the strategic opportunity it presented. She could work with this.

Esha relaxed into the small space that housed them both, letting her smile shine through. “You’re a charmer.”

He coughed, a laugh mixed in. “I’m not sure anyone who’s met me would ever say that.” Kunal rubbed the back of his head, his face guileless yet unreadable.

“Why are you here? In the Tej? Last time I saw you, you were at the Fort,” Esha said, a playful smile on her face. She was glad the conversation had turned light. Banter, flirting—those she could do well as the Viper.

“I’m with a few other soldiers and we’re hunting for the—we’re hunting for a criminal,” he said, turning to face her. Kunal’s face instantly shuttered, and Esha saw her advantage clamp shut behind his hard gaze. He seemed to notice his mistake, having almost revealed their target to an unknown girl.

A normal girl would look frightened, so Esha feigned shock. “A criminal? What kind of criminal? Do you think that was the noise I heard?” Her eyes widened, and she tugged at her hair, glancing about the forest.

She moved closer to him, which seemed to do the trick.

“A murderer.” He watched her reaction again, as if making sure it was normal. She was careful to let him see the disbelief and fright on her face.

“I hope you catch him,” Esha said with conviction.

She did hope he would catch him, just not her.

“Best to be careful with a tiger and a criminal on the loose,” he said, as if making up his mind. “I’ll take you back to our camp in the morning. I’ll see you safely to the next port town and get you on the ship before I leave.”

She thought she heard him mutter properly this time.

Moon Lord’s mercy. That was exactly what wasn’t supposed to happen.

The idea of getting caught in a tangle of soldiers made her want to retch. If she were better armed, the idea might have given her a perverse sense of pleasure—more opportunity to get rid of a few soldiers—but as it was, she had only her knife. Her whip, her specialty, was in her pack and had to remain there if she wanted to keep pretending to be Poppy-Seed Girl. The other whip? Clearly it had been found.

There had been three other soldiers, and if they were anything like Kunal, she would be in trouble. He was smarter than she had given him credit for, his eyes watching her like a bird of prey.

It almost felt as if he saw the Viper in her, or knew something.

She had no choice; she would have to stay with him and figure out how to get away before dawn broke. With a quick nod, she moved toward Kunal, accepting his offer.

“Thank you. I was so worried. I’ll feel much safer with your company.” Esha was proud she kept her tone even as she spoke those words.

He gave her a nod, curt and quick. “It’s the least I can do.”

She could feel the tension dissipating between them, and wondered how much of his offer was his sense of duty and how much was about him liking her—the poppy-seed girl.

And if she could trust him either way. However much she hated soldiers, she had to admit that he seemed to be one with some scraps of honor.

Kunal leaned away from her as he pulled off his armor. He unfurled the length of rope she handed him, tugging it over a branch to test whether it would hold, lashing it all together against the tree. Esha couldn’t help but watch the way his arms moved, tight with corded muscle. He cut a fine figure, lean in the right places, broad in others. The first branch alone was too weak to hold his armor, so he began to gather a few of the hanging roots as well, tugging at them, when Esha saw it, the glint of silvery metal.

Esha lunged forward, yanking Kunal back. The bronze armor fell out of his hands and clanged down the tree, landing with a soft thud on the thickly covered forest floor below.

“What?” Kunal exclaimed when she removed her hand. Distrust flashed in his eyes. Esha said nothing, lifting her knife above his head.