Page 109 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

I’d seen him on the road wearing leathers and fur. I’d observed him as a lord in his finery. I’d never seen the version who came to war.

He wore a dark helm with horns that matched the armor protecting his chest and thighs. Even his gauntlets were studded weapons.

He stopped much too close to the wall, but no one fired arrows at him. On the contrary, a hush fell, and into that silence, his demand could be clearly heard.

“Give me Ilyana.”

Whispers arose as people asked, “Who is Ilyana?”

“Bring her, or I will take this city apart stone by stone.” His voice boomed and stunned most watching into silence.

Not me.

As if his presence gave me an extra boost, I leaned over the wall and shouted, “Konstantin.”

His head jerked, and his gaze found me right away. He offered me a tight smile that should have terrified everyone there because I knew that expression. It hid his simmering rage. Not at me. I pitied the idiots who stood in his way.

A hated voice snapped orders. “Get her away from the edge. And why isn’t anyone shooting him?” Marell arrived, looking irritated, wearing fresh robes but his hair needed a comb. “You, Barbarian, leave at once, or I will consider this an act of war.”

“You started this war when you took Ilyana. Give her back, or I raze this city to the ground.”

“This isn’t a fight you will win, Barbarian. I’m not as weak as my father,” Marell boasted.

I would give it to Marell; he had balls. He stood without a single quiver of fright, an excellent target for arrows. Unafraid because of his magic and, also, because no one had the guts to shoot him.

“I’m not leaving without her.” Konstantin remained firm.

“As if I’m going to hand you control of Jaaman.”

“Never asked for it. Give me Ilyana.”

“You had your chance to marry an heir. Now it’s mine.”

The helmet hid Konstantin’s face, but I’d have sworn I felt his confusion. “What are you babbling about? I just want Ilyana. Keep your kingdom.”

My sister muttered, “He is quite determined.”

“Barbarically stubborn,” I agreed with a smile. Only to lose it as I saw Marell weaving his hands, readying to cast magic.

He couldn’t be allowed to finish. My feet didn’t budge.

“Oh, that won’t be good,” Majya muttered. And then added, “Someone should stop him.”

It provided enough for me to move despite the spell. I headed for Marell at a sprint. The soldiers in my way flattened rather than touch me.

Enough of them knew who I was. They feared me because of a father I never knew. If only I could show them to be terrified because of the way I could kill them.

I neared Marell, very aware the spell wouldn’t allow me to hurt or touch him in any way, but I could get in the way.

As Marell lifted his hands, ready to cast something horrible at Konstantin, I thrust myself in front.

It didn’t even make Marell flinch. “Sit.” A single syllable and I was on the ground, fuming impotently. He finished swirling his hands and then flung them outward over the wall.

What had he done?

He was kind enough to drag me upright that I might see the thing that busted through the ground. Made of rock and dirt, the massive golem rose on two thick legs. And did Konstantin do the smart thing and run away?

Nope. The damned hero got off his horse and stood before it, not even half its size. The army at his back ululated. Maybe they could—