Sweat poured down my back, making the rough-spun woolen gown I wore stick to my sweat-slicked skin. The hot press of the sun didn’t help matters either, as I pushed through the crowd of people at the market stalls. The closely packed people grumbled and muttered as they were shoved aside, not too few shoving back. Elbows and knees in the most uncomfortable of places, but I couldn’t help it. The smell of sweat and dust permeated the air, clogging my nose as I made my way to the last stall in the town proper, kept just a bit apart from the rest of the market.

The ‘stall’ was barely more than a rickety wooden counter, with ‘HERBS’ written crudely in paint on the front of the counter, a pathetic array of wilted flowers and leaves displayed on the surface. “Welcome, welcome! What herbs can I interest you in today?” asked the salesman, Rodrigo, cheerfully.

He looked to be in his late 30s, with a portly belly and chubby cheeks, silver rings on all of his plump fingers. His clothes were of fine make, which would surely make him and his…shop a prime target for thieves and pickpockets. Only the violent gleam and slim dagger sheathed at his thigh in plain view deterred any who thought to lighten his purse of its burden.

Even though most steered clear of him, it didn’t escape their notice how he had the money for clothes of such luxury, yet ran such a run-down stall as a paltry excuse of a business.

“Do we have to go through the process again?” I whined, my voice a whisper, though thoroughly irritated, mostly because of the godsforsaken heat.

Rodrigo’s smile dropped only the tiniest bit. “Yes, Lilliana, we must. You know I don’t take risks.” He was in the business of selling… shady goods, most not legal to be bought, thus the pains he took for the sake of complete discretion. The townsfolk here only knew me as Lilliana. No one knew my real name except for those at the estate.

“Where the arrow flies, there it poisons.” I grumbled, restless.

“There! Was that so hard?” asked Rodrigo, practically chirping.

I let loose a deep sigh that I’m sure he could hear. “I really hope you have the Colchis I asked for the last time I came around,” I said.

“Yes I do. I must warn you though, it’s going to cost you a small fortune.” As always, he never asked what the poisonous plant was for. That was one of the things I admired about him. And the only reason I bought my preferred herbs from him. All my other vendors would always poke their noses in my business. One of the reasons why they ended up dead.

I smirk just a little bit. He should know by now I can get the funds. “Name it” is all I say. He names an ungodly amount for a single vial of the toxin. My smirk slips. Cunning bastard. He knows I won’t refuse. I need it too bad, too urgently. I know I should’ve probably found a new vendor by now, but I rarely bought poison and I’d rather spend my free time doing what I want rather than finding a new shop.

I pull out the coins from the pouch I’ve kept hidden in my secret skirt pocket. The clinking of coins draws Rodrigo’s attention, a greedy glint entering his eyes.

I count them and place them on the counter in a neat stack. “There. Now, the vial?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Not so fast,” Drawls a third voice, deep and smooth, just a few feet behind me.

I almost jumped. I hadn’t noticed him sneaking up on me. I mentally berated myself, making sure to set aside some time for training. Again. Being caught unawares in a hostile situation would most definitely prove fatal.

I noticed the silence. The uninvited guy had said something, but I’d been lost in my own thoughts. I wheeled around on my heel to face him. The second I do, my voice just… leaves me. I can’t even manage a squeak. Perfectly symmetrical face, hair as dark as night falling just below his ears, a few stray curls finding their way into his bright turquoise eyes. Beautiful. I soak in other details. Maybe a few inches taller than me, he was dressed like any other peasant at the market. Yet, he carried himself with the air of someone born to privilege, someone who knew their worth was more than that of the Royal Treasury. If he had been dressed any differently, he could’ve passed for nobility. The only words I could think of to describe him was fucking beautiful.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

That was around the time I realized I was staring. And my mouth was hanging to the ground. A blush creeps up my neck, blooming on my cheeks.

“Excuse me?” I squeak, managing to keep my voice level and only an octave higher.

If anything, my opposition seemed to be amused by my slow perusal of him, because he had a smirk plastered on his face. How I wished to wipe it off of his pretty face.

“I said,” enunciates the stranger, “I’ll pay 50 gold pieces for the Colchis.”

Fury overtakes embarrassment. How dare this stranger even think to bid on Rodrigo’s only vial of Colchis? I was stalking towards him before my brain even caught up with my actions. I must’ve looked threatening enough, because his smirk slipped just the teensiest bit. Words came out of my mouth without my mind even realizing. “Now you listen here, you bastard. I was here first, and I asked for the Colchis. It’s a custom order. So go find your own vendor to get you some Colchis.” I’m a bit stunned by how I spoke to him, but I don’t let it show. I stalked back to the counter and held out my hand for the vial.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Rodrigo was more into making money than he was interested in a loyal customer. “Lilliana, I think it would be better if the lord took the vial. I mean, he is offering double and you must understand…” trails off Rodrigo.

Saying that I was irritated, annoyed or even mad would’ve been understatement. I was fuming. I was surprised when smoke didn’t start coming out of my ears or nose. Even if I offered a hundred gold coins, I was sure the other client could offer a far more tempting bargain than me. I had only a hundred gold coins on me at the moment, and from the glint in the stranger’s eyes, I could tell he knew that too.

I sigh, at my wit’s end. My patience was running thin and I was sure I would do something incredibly idiotic if I didn’t get my temper in control. Deep breath in. I palmed the hilt of the obsidian blade strapped to my right thigh through the fabric of my skirt. Hold. I found the slit in the dress, and reached through to grip the cool hilt. I discreetly unsheathed the double sided blade, going unnoticed by either man. At least, I hoped the guy behind me hadn’t noticed, since I had my back to him and he hadn’t moved from his place a few feet away.

Exhaling, I turned around and made my way to him. I get so close to him, if I just tilted my face a little bit, our lips would align-

Slightly shaking my head, I move my mouth to his ear and whisper, “One last chance to back off.”

In an equally quiet tone, he said, “And if I don’t?”

I press the tip of the dagger to where his heart would be. “Then you get in my way. And those that get in my way don’t get to see another sunrise.”

I held my breath, hoping he’d make the better choice. It’d be a pity to kill such a beautiful face-

From what I can see of his face, my threat doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. In fact, he seemed to be even more entertained by my antics. His breath tickles the shell of my ear as he says, “So do it.”

To say I was flabbergasted would’ve been a grave understatement. I was shocked beyond belief, but I still kept my dagger steady. His cool hand enveloped the one holding the weapon and put just enough pressure to draw blood. “Do it, gorgeous lady.”

Now, under normal circumstances I would’ve most definitely blushed. Again. But something in his tone…

I snapped out of my reverie. The Colchis poison. That’s what’s important. And right now, I’ll even kill an innocent to get it.

As I drove the knife between his ribs into his heart, he grinned, not even flinching. I pulled out the knife right as he fell, thudding on the ground. Those turquoise eyes would haunt my dreams forevermore.

“Well, that clears up who’s going to get the last vial of Colchis…” said Rodrigo disappointedly.