Page 39 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

“Mostly. I brought only the ones least likely to cause issues in the city. We left Ungy—whose record is twelve men—at home because he can be a little much when he drinks.”

“Implying you’re all crazy fighters. Makes me wonder why anyone would want a war with you. Especially since your country has little to offer.”

“Just mountains and goats, and yet the emperor keeps sending spies and assassins and sneaky troops.”

“What are they hoping to accomplish?”

“They want the secret to our prowess!” Joor suddenly interrupted and guffawed.

Which led to some rather bawdy conversation.

“Time for bed,” Konstantin stated. “Let’s go, my little Yanna.”

“Stop calling me little.”

“Grow.”

I glared.

He smirked, and he almost lost his lips. I stomped up the stairs and down the hall to the room assigned to me. As I opened the door and stepped in, I whirled to say good night, only to realize he followed me in. It was as if he wanted to die.

“What are you doing?”

“Surely you weren’t about to let me sleep alone. Your job is to protect me.”

“I didn’t realize you expected me to work every hour of the day, even when I rest.”

“As if you’re not alert even in your sleep. Where better for me to lay my head than beside you?”

“How about in your own room?”

“Would it help if I said it paid extra?”

Wait, could it be he expected…? “Not a whore.”

“Where did I imply you were? This is business.”

“You could have warned me,” I grumbled rather than stab him. He did have a point. Being paid to protect him meant sticking close, especially in a place like this, which might have secret egresses.

And lucky for him, I really wanted to sleep in a bed. I reserved the right to change my mind later.

The skirt on my stupid dress swished as I walked to the farthest side of the room. Not that far and it meant passing the bed. Big enough at least for two. His saddlebags were draped over the chest at the foot of it. I had no belongings other than the clothes steaming on the stove.

I paused by the window, noting the bars. They didn’t budge when shaken. Solid then. Good for keeping things out.

He dropped a bar across the door.

I arched a brow. “Locking us in?”

“More like keeping people out.”

“Do you often get visitors at night?”

“Enough.” He kicked off his boots. He’d lost his cloak already. His hauberk followed, thumping as it hit the floor. He stretched, the linen of his shirt pulling over his chest.

“Who gets the bed?” I asked, hoping he’d offer it to me exclusively.

“As king, I am going to pull rank, but I’ll share. Unless you’d prefer the floor.”