But she would get in the way, he argued with himself. He would get distracted, and that would put them both in danger.
He eyed the silk rope she’d made to escape. She was clever, resourceful, and brave. Excellent with knives. How could he find fault with her for wanting to succeed? Especially when her goal was the same as his?
“We want the same thing,” she whispered, echoing his own thoughts. “Please take me with you.”
He swallowed hard. It was getting damned hard to refuse her. “You could get hurt.”
“So could you. I’m willing to take the risk. I won’t be a burden to you, I promise.”
He squeezed his eyes shut. You could be her hero.
A knock sounded at the door and he jumped back, releasing her.
“Jia?” Rajiv called from the front porch. “Are you asleep?”
Her eyes wide with horror, she lunged forward and grabbed Russell by his T-shirt. “They mustn’t find you here!”
“I’ll just go.”
“No! I still need to talk to you.”
Meaning she still wanted to convince him to take her with him. “I can—”
“Hide!” She ran over to the screen, pushed it back, and motioned for him to come.
As he approached, his gaze landed on the white banner with the figure of a man painted on it and a knife firmly embedded in his groin. “What the—”
She gasped. “My favorite knife! I almost left without it. How could I be so forgetful?”
He gave her an incredulous look. “I’m a little more concerned about your aim.”
She winced. “I was . . . distracted.”
“Remind me never to distract you.”
“Jia?” Rajiv knocked on the door again.
“Just a minute,” she called back. “I-I was asleep.” She dashed across the room and furiously pulled the rope back through the window. Loops of red and gold silk pooled onto the floor.
With a snort, Russell yanked her favorite knife from the wall, then levitated up to the beam and sliced the material free.
“Thank you!” she whispered, bundling up the fabric in her arms.
He dropped quietly to the ground and helped her gather up the rope and carry it to the small area behind the screen.
“Don’t leave!” she warned him. She dropped her backpack on the floor by his feet, kicked off her boots, then stretched the screen across the room.
He sat on the floor, surrounded by mounds of gold and red silk. It was darker here, since the screen blocked the moonlight that filtered through the open window. Even so, he spotted a thick, quilted pallet folded and stashed in the corner. Was that her bed? Then this small area had to be her bedroom. He winced, imagining Rajiv’s reaction if he caught a vampire in the princess’s bedchamber.
Jia’s soft footsteps crossed the room to the door, then Russell heard the scrape of the bolt. “Is there something wrong, Rajiv?”
Heavier footsteps entered the room, and the door closed. “Everything’s fine,” Rajiv answered. “I just wanted to give this to you.”
“What is it?” Jia asked, and Russell shifted closer to a gap in the screen. Unfortunately, all he could see was Rajiv’s back.
“Another gift from the Grand Tiger of South Korea,” Rajiv explained. “It must be very expensive, since he sent it with a courier.”
“Oh.” Jia didn’t sound overly thrilled.
“The courier told me he had a tough time getting it through customs, so it delayed his arrival here,” Rajiv continued. “The Grand Tiger insisted that you receive the gift today, so the courier begged me to bring it straight to you. Apparently, you’re supposed to receive a gift every day until your betrothed arrives.”
Betrothed? Russell sat back. Jia was engaged? To a Grand Tiger? He closed his eyes, no longer wanting to see, and wishing he didn’t have to hear.
“They really shouldn’t go to so much trouble,” Jia murmured.
“It is a bit much,” Rajiv agreed, “but look at it this way. They’re definitely serious about the marriage. And they’re trying hard to impress you.”
“I suppose,” Jia mumbled.
A sick feeling gnawed at Russell’s gut, and he twisted his hand around a clump of red silk. What the hell had he expected? She was a princess after all. And to think he’d come so close to taking her with him into danger.
“Open it,” Rajiv urged.
There was a creaking sound of a lid being lifted, followed by Jia’s gasp.
Rajiv whistled. “That’s got to be worth a fortune. And you know what? It would look perfect with the bracelets from your mom. Let’s see.” A chest opened.
“It’s late,” Jia protested.
“Come on, I want to see you look like a princess.” There was a pause and some rustling sounds, then Rajiv said, “I wish Grandfather could see you now. I wish he could see the wedding.”
“I know.” Jia sighed. “I miss him, too.”
“You should probably make your wedding gown from all that red and gold silk they sent you yesterday,” Rajiv said. “I have a feeling that’s why they sent it.”
Russell scoffed silently as he tossed the material away. She had used an engagement present for her escape?
“I’ll let you get back to sleep now,” Rajiv said, and his footsteps crossed to the door. “See you tomorrow.”
The door shut, then Jia’s steps rushed to the door and she slid the bolt.