Chapter Nine

A weighted silence descended on the table, but Cassidy would not take the words back. She glared at Derek in challenge, daring him to respond.

A sudden laugh made her jump, and her gaze turned to the man directly at the King's right hand. "She certainly is the spitfire you said she was." Blue eyes assessed her critically. "Slight build is a plus, but something will have to be done about her hair. The color is too striking."

"No." The King answered swiftly. "Her hair stays as it is."

"An assassin has to be able to blend in. She will be too noticeable, too recognizable with that dark fiery hair." The man responded, frowning at the King.

"I said no." The King's eyes moved to her and quickly darted away. "She needs to be a deadly flower. One that draws in her prey before dispatching it swiftly. My decision is final."

Cassidy felt her cheeks color. Being discussed, as if she wasn't in the same room, made her decidedly uncomfortable. Her hand lifted to finger a lock of her hair, twisting i