Page 23 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
“Take me somewhere private and find out,” I offered and actually had to remind myself I wanted to lure him for murder, not for sex. Hard to remember with an awareness spark snapping between us.
A good thing I was reminded of where we were by a yelled, “Hey, someone want to share a plate of stuffed peppers?”
Konstantin scowled in the direction of the table behind me. “I can’t believe they followed me. They won’t let me out of their sight ‘cause they’re still mad I ditched them and came into the city before them.”
“Your guards didn’t know?”
“I left while they slept. I wanted time to get a feel for the mood in the city.”
“And?”
“There is an uncommon amount of betting on my appearance and nuptials.”
“What should I wager on?” I asked, nibbling on the warm bread from a basket dropped on our table.
“Why the interest in my personal life?”
“Just curious. You don’t seem happy about getting engaged.”
“It will keep my people safe.”
“And your future wife? Now that you’ve met—”
He interrupted. “Enough. I am hungry. What should we order?”
“If I am going to be honest, it’s my first time eating here. I’m only recently located to the city.”
“So no recommendation?” He raised his hand and, when our server neared, said, “One of everything.”
He’d regret that, given some of the items were so spicy even I wouldn’t dare try them. His belly on fire, not mine.
The dishes began arriving, steaming and smelling so good I took a few bites from everything in the first round. Was sweating before they’d cleared the plates in preparation for the next wave.
“You appear a little hot,” he teased, leaning across from me, appearing as cool as when he first sat down. He’d eaten even more than me.
The next course, I managed two dishes before I grabbed for my cup of soothing cream. Too hot for me, but the king? He smacked his lips in satisfaction and kept eating.
When my tongue stopped combusting, I asked, “Is your stomach lined in metal?”
“Hardly. These dishes are recipes from my country, but weaker than we’re used to.”
I glanced down at my fiery plate. Damn. Apparently my plan to discomfort him had failed. I’d be crying the next day on the commode.
Hmm. Might even start tonight given the heat in my belly.
The sword remained wrapped beside me. As the plates cleared, I laid it on the table between us. “The sword you bought.” I ignored the pang as I handed it over.
“Thanks.”
“Aren’t you going to open it?”
“Why would I? I know what’s in the package.”
“To check it over.”
“I saw it earlier.”
I frowned. Might have questioned him more, only a commotion at the door drew our attention. A few men entered, boisterous and already a little drunk.