Page 25 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
“Sounds like too much talking. I was planning to glare at them fiercely, maybe grunt a bit and stomp off.”
I bit my inner cheek so I wouldn’t laugh. “That would work, too.” Then I quickly added, “If you do talk to them, try and keep my name out of it.” Last thing I needed right now was the wrong kind of attention. Linking me with the about-to-be-engaged king wouldn’t do either of us any favors.
“You should leave before they arrive.”
I already planned to. “Thank you again for saving me, Your Majesty.” Spoken thickly sweet before I sashayed away. I’d have sworn I felt him watching, but I didn’t dare turn to look, not when I heard the thump of feet. I darted into the nearest side street just in time.
A soldier yelled, “City guard. On your knees, hands on your head.”
I almost stayed to watch him refuse. Konstantin wasn’t a man to kneel for anyone. Instead, I left the area before more soldiers could arrive.
As I neared my home, I cursed the fact I’d not acted during that fight to take out the king. I should have danced in as he handled the last thug and slipped a knife between his ribs. Instead, I’d applauded him when I should have bestowed a victory kiss and stabbed him in the back!
A risky thing to try because of his size. Unless I hit something vital, he’d probably have still been able to crush me. Being an assassin meant making smart choices. In this case, walking away.
The risk to me was not worth it, not anymore. My years in Aluztha had turned me soft. Or should I look at it as being smarter?
I’d seen firsthand that in a fight I wasn’t sure to win. I’d have to be subtle in my attack. After all, I could only collect my prize if I lived and the king died. Either I’d have to catch him while he slept or resort to poison.
The following day, everyone buzzed with anticipation for the party being thrown by the baroness that evening. Apparently, the engagement would be officially announced when the cake emerged after the multi-course dinner.
Would Konstantin manage a smile or scowl the entire time? I wouldn’t know because I lacked an invitation, unlike Jrijori, who’d finagled a way inside as a widow’s escort.
I mocked Jrijori as he dressed in formalwear, everything stiff, restricting movement. I lounged on his bed and critiqued his choice.
“Could have used more ruffles.”
“There are too many as is,” he grumbled, adjusting the layers of them peeking from his formal jacket cuffs.
“What you have is a surplus of buttons. What happened to them being useful? Most of those accomplish nothing.”
“Don’t be so sure. Some of them are special.” Judging by Jrijori’s grin, I’d guess either poisons or explosives. Perhaps both.
“At least, if the widow tears off buttons in a fit of passion, you’ll have spares,” I pointed out.
“The widow simply requires an escort. Not a bedmate.”
“Says you. Could be she’s the subtle type. And if not her, there will be others at the ball wanting to test the handsome new merchant in town.”
A hard breath blew out as he complained, “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Nope. Some of us were not invited to a ball.”
“Which we both know you’re happy about. You hate balls.”
I did. “I do like the free food and drink, though.” Wealthy people offered the most outrageous things to eat. Delicious, if strange sounding and looking, like the fisheye on a cracker smeared in a thick gray paste.
“For someone not going out, you’re dressed to skulk.” He referred to my dark apparel. Perfect for slipping into shadows.
“You’re not the only one working tonight.”
“Don’t get caught.” Always the same admonishment.
“You rescued me once; you’d rescue me again.” Only once from that cell where I thought for sure I wouldn’t live to see the next sunset. After that experience, I avoided capture at all costs.
“Last time I only saved you because I needed an apprentice. Get imprisoned again and it will depend on the profit.”
“So much love,” I mock-complained. For all that he never declared affection, I knew exactly how Jrijori felt about me. The same as I felt for him. We’d die for each other.