Page 110 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

The ground kept rumbling, and a bead of sweat formed on Marell’s upper lip as more rock golems rose, lumbering to life, their boulder-sized fists capable of crushing people whose only reason for being here was to save me.

Jrijori had raised me to take care of myself first and never to act for free. Great advice at the time but, right now, not enough. I wasn’t about to let Konstantin or those idiot giants of his die because I’d been stupidly caught.

I eyed my wrists and those bands keeping me docile. They blocked me from calling my sword. Stopped me from being who I was.

I eyed my sister, who watched in horrified fascination as the Weztrogians scurried about like ants, avoiding the smashing of monsters.

Her wide gaze met mine, and she said, “How can we stop this?”

I held up my wrists. She glanced at Marell, busy doing evil. Then nodded. The dagger she pulled from her robe had traces of elekium in it. It tingled my skin as it sawed through the spell binding one wrist then the other.

The moment the material parted, I sighed in relief. The difference proved noticeable. I flexed my fingers and held out my hand.

I need a sword.Not just any sword. I wanted mine.

At first, I thought the spell remained on me, because nothing happened. My sword didn’t come.

A soldier bumped me aside, raising his crossbow to take aim at Konstantin’s back as he fought the golem. I slammed the heel of my hand against the soldier, and he toppled over the edge. That brought a smile to my lips. At least I could fight.

The next man in my way lost his sword but kept his life, as he hit his knees and screamed, “Spare me. I serve the emperor.”

Which led to me saying, “Protect the emperor’s daughter.” The tip of my weapon pointed at Majya. Her big eyes met mine.

She unhooked the veil, showing the scar but also proving her birth. Some of the soldiers moved to form a shield around her.

Others glanced to the new grand vizier, cackling as his hands wrought evil. Those were the ones I targeted.

The sword I stole did the trick, weaving and dancing as I sliced my way through the soldiers who obeyed the wrong person. They weren’t my primary goal, though. The guy with the spear aimed at my barbarian was. He went over the wall to join his other dead comrades. For a second my gaze flicked to Konstantin just as he raised his to mine.

Our eyes locked. His mouth parted.

I smiled and mouthed something I’d never said to him.

But I knew he understood.

He ran for the wall. I turned back to the battle at hand. The three remaining soldiers who’d stuck by Marell looked nervous, with reason. They stood between me and my target.

One died, the other dropped and begged for his life, while the third? Marell slapped him aside when he pointed at me. “Quiet.”

He tossed some the command at me, using a bit of magic. Either it was weak or the adrenaline of the fight protected me. Blame the fact I tingled head to toe. I smiled as I dragged the sword on the ground, a loud scree that was anything but silent.

Marell’s hands spread out, his fingers crooked aggressively. “I don’t have time for this.”

I let go of the ordinary sword and spread my hands to the side as it clattered to the ground. “Is this better?”

He held back from hitting me with a spell and smirked. “Much. Now don’t move and watch as I eradicate the barbarians.”

“I don’t think so.” Instinct had me quickly raising my hand in time for the hilt of my sword—my precious—to find my grip.

It hummed.

Marell’s gaze narrowed. “What did you do?”

“Did you think you were the only one with magic?” I mocked.

His surprise gave way to cunning. “I see you’ll provide me some interesting heirs.”

Babies with him? No. Just no. “Hard to make babies when you’re dead.” I rotated the blade. “Shall we dance?”