Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms #2)(56)

Jonas snorted softly. “I’m good, but I’m not sure I could take on a dozen guards to save not only my neck but yours as well.”

He was so unbelievably frustrating! “Sometimes I really hate you.”

Finally Jonas eased back from her a fraction. “The feeling is entirely mutual, your highness.”

He was still too close to her, his breath hot against her cheek. She couldn’t put her thoughts in proper order. “Jonas, please, would you just consider—”

But before she could speak another word, he crushed his mouth against hers.

It was so unexpected that she hadn’t the chance to even think of pushing him away. His body pressed her firmly against the rough cave wall. His hands slid down to her waist to pull her closer to him.

And just like that, with his proximity, with his kiss, he managed to fill her every sense. He was smoke from the campfire, he was leaves and moss and the night itself.

There was nothing gentle in the rebel’s kiss, nothing sweet or kind. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before, and so very dangerous—every bit as deadly as the kiss of an arrow.

Finally, he pulled back just a little, his dark eyes glazed as if half drunk.

“Princess . . .” He cupped her face between his hands, his breath ragged.

Her lips felt bruised. “I suppose that’s how Paelsians show their anger and frustration?”

He laughed, an uneasy sound. “Not usually. Nor is it typically the answer to someone who tells you they hate you.”

“I . . . I don’t hate you.”

His dark-eyed gaze held hers. “I don’t hate you either.”

She could easily get lost in those eyes, but she couldn’t let herself. Not now. Not with so much at risk. “I need to go back, Jonas. And you need to find your friends and make sure they’re all right.”

“So he wins?” he growled. “The king spills more blood and gets exactly what he wants?”

“This time, yes.” She absently rubbed her hand, wishing she could feel her ring. It might give her the strength she needed to face what was ahead.

“And you’ll marry the prince so the King of Blood can distract the masses with a shiny ceremony. I don’t like that at all.”

Distraction. Shiny ceremony.

Cleo gripped his arm and looked up at him, his words sparking another plan in her mind like flint to a stone. “The wedding.”

“What about it?”

“The Temple of Cleiona—that’s where it will be. Father took me there as a child and let me explore to my heart’s content. I used to look up at the statue of the goddess, stunned that I was named for such an incredible, magical being. My sister and I—we played hide-and-seek there, just as we did at the palace. But there are even more places to hide at the temple. This could be the perfect opportunity for the rebel cause—a chance to get close to the king. Closer than anyone is able to get on a normal day. He means to use my wedding as a distraction—but he too will be distracted that day!”

Jonas didn’t speak for a long moment. “What you’re suggesting, princess . . . it could work.”

“It’ll be dangerous.”

The edge of a grin appeared on his lips. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Wait—no. No!” What a horrible suggestion she’d just made! What was she thinking? “There will be too many guards—it’s far too risky. It’s not worth it.”

“You can’t take back your words that easily. This—it’s an incredible idea. I should have thought of it myself. Of course, the wedding! The Temple of Cleiona . . . the crowds will all be outside distracting the guards. Inside . . . it’s the perfect opportunity to assassinate the king and the prince. We remove the king and his heir. We take control. Paelsia is freed from oppression. And you could have your throne back by nightfall.”

She could barely breathe.

Assassinate the king and the prince.

Well, of course, Magnus would have to die as well. He was next in line to his father’s throne. “You really think this could work?”

His grin widened. “Yes, I do.”

“You’re mad.”

“Hey, you’re the one who suggested it, your highness. Perhaps we’re both mad.” His gaze swept the length of her. “Such ruthlessness in such a petite package. Who would have guessed it?”

This was truly insane. But what other choice did they have? Sometimes, to regain sanity, one had to acknowledge and embrace the madness.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to get my throne back,” she said.

At that moment, she meant every single word.

“Then we’re in agreement. It’s time for my rebels to make a decisive stand, even one that comes with great risk. I will be at your wedding, invitation or not. And the king and the prince will both fall beneath my blade.” He raised an eyebrow. “The only question is, can I trust you to say nothing of this plan?”

Her heart raced like a wild thing. “I swear on my father’s and sister’s souls I will say nothing.”

He nodded. “Then I suppose it’s time for you to go back to the palace.”

Silently, they left the cave and made their way through the dark forest until they came upon the guards’ camp. They had a large fire lit—the sight and scent of it noticeable even at a distance. No reason to hide from predators when these men were the worst and most dangerous this forest currently had to offer.