Bab 164: The Dagger

"Bel, look at me," Davien urged. 

Perhaps it was his voice or the fact that she had kept her eyes shut for too long, but Bel opened her eyes—and regretted it immediately. Davien had his face close enough to kiss her. She frowned that her thoughts would drift in that direction.

"Take it," he simply said. "I truly want you to have it." Then he pulled away, leaving the dagger in her hands.

Bel looked down at the dagger. She had never thought about owning it, but more times than she had wanted, she had ended up getting drawn to it. The metal scabbard felt cool against her skin. The jewels on it matched the hilt.

"Are you sure about this?" she heard herself ask, hating that she was thinking about accepting it.

"Yes," he replied. "Besides, now you have a proper weapon whenever you think about stabbing me."