Aery drew a knife, bringing it up an inch from Celaena's throat. "Mind your tongue, wench, or I'll cut it out!" With her eyes telling Celaena that she understood, that she was just playing along to fool the guards.
The left guard came up behind her. She knew that his dagger was halfway drawn. "Here, [i]Sweetheart,[/i] I'll help you deal with your prisoner." He chuckled in a way that was supposed to be seductive.
In a split second, Aery had spun, plunging the dagger she'd had "at Celaena's throat" into the man's chest. Her voice burning with icy rage and malice, she said quietly, "I am not your "Sweetheart." I am [i]Your Majesty.[/i]" She yanked the dagger from the man's chest, spun it to fling the blood off, sheathed it, and proceeded through the gate, killing off the so-called "guards" that the assassins had appointed.