Page 44 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

“Never crossed the mind.”

“She’s much too pretty for the likes of you, Majesty.”

I was surrounded by idiots.

The Idiot King followed me back to the room, where I paced.

“Why so agitated? Are you truly that worried about your reputation? Would it help if I killed anyone who said anything about it?”

“I’ll kill them myself. And it’s not the whoring part that bothers me most. I am going to look bad because I failed to eliminate you. People will think you seduced me to avoid your fate.”

“Would you prefer I announce to all that you are not my mistress, but my bodyguard?”

“Who shares your room?”

“Best way for you to protect me.”

“You’re insane, and I should have never agreed.”

“How do you propose we resolve the issue?”

I eyed the knife suddenly resting in my palm and then him. “Killing you would solve my problem.”

“We already know that’s not happening. What’s the next option?”

“I could escape.”

“And earn nothing for your efforts.”

A good point. I couldn’t return to my father empty-handed. “How long am I supposed to guard you?”

“Until people stop trying to kill me.”

“That could be a long time.”

“You have more pressing work?”

“No.” I sulked as I flopped onto the bed. “I think it’s time I find a new job, though. Apparently I’ve lost my touch as an assassin.”

“I’m sure you’re still an excellent warrior under the right conditions.”

“That’s just it. The conditions were right,” I complained, sitting up. “Lots of times I could have taken you out, but didn’t.”

“It’s not your fault you were charmed.”

I blinked at my burly barbarian, who had a wilder look since we’d left the city. “You’re not charming.”

“Yet you like me.”

“I do not.”

“It’s okay to admit, my little Yanna. We both know the truth. Why else curl up like a kitten against me?”

“You mauled me in my sleep. Try that again and I will stab you.”

He grimaced. “No stabbing. Last time I got poked I had to eat broth for weeks.”

Truth told, I had little interest in sticking him like a pig. Although if he wanted to poke me with something…