Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #2)

by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Suddenly, she hated the scrap of fabric of his mask; it was merely a means to keep him from her. She reached up a hand but halted—there were still guards in the room, even a few stray nobles, some watching them from their hiding places. She couldn’t reveal him here; they’d have to wait until they were— “Do it.” His words were so resolute, her eyes widened in shock, her mouth gaping open like a fish. “You think I would allow you to reveal yourself to the public in such a way and not do the same for you?” he asked. Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession as she desperately tried not to read into the words. “Sir, really. There’s no need to feel guilty—I’m a nobody; my name means nothing. Come, we must leave at—” His words were angrier this time. “Do it. Or I will.” She knew his threats well enough to know when they were sincere. Which meant there was no point in arguing any further. He urged, “Unmask me, Evangelina.” It was impossible to not be moved by the low caress of his voice, like fingers gliding up her bare back. She was human, she had a pulse, and it beat in the worst way for someone it very much was not supposed to. Slowly, she reached up, fingers nearly stilling when she felt his body tense at the brush of her touch. But instead of stilling, she was spurred to move faster. She removed the mask, letting it slip through her fingers until it landed soundlessly on the floor, his face bare. Familiar and beautiful. Relief and comfort eased the tightness in her chest. ...