Page 56 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
I pondered the question more than I ever had. “I don’t know.” I’d only ever thought in terms of the next job and increasing my wealth. I had plenty, so why did I keep killing?
“Are you married?” he asked.
“No.”
“What about children?”
“Never.” Family made me vulnerable. It could be used against me.
“Why not?”
I laughed. “As if you need to ask.”
“Not sure why it’s so amusing.”
“I’m an assassin, not a nursemaid. I don’t want or need a husband or progeny. Why would I bother when I have everything I need?”
“Do you?”
“Not all of us are looking to create alliances or expand borders.”
“You forgot peace.”
“I doubt your marriage will be peaceful.”
He grimaced. “Doesn’t seem likely, does it?”
“Which begs the question why you’d put yourself through that torture. Neither of you appears to want this union, yet you’re both playing along. Her because her father is making her do it. But you… What do you get out of it?”
“As I’ve mentioned before, peace between our people.”
I snorted. “Won’t happen because of this sham. So why would you agree unless…” I stared at him as it hit me. “You’re using the wedding as a way to get close enough to the—” I almost said emperor, only to remember something he’d said. “The grand vizier. You’re going to try and kill him.”
He closed his eyes, murmuring, “Good night.”
“Don’t good night me. That’s your plan, isn’t it?”
When he would have ignored my question, I bounced onto the bed and poked him. “Answer me.”
He cracked open a single lid. “And if it is?”
“It won’t work.”
Both eyes shot open. “You haven’t even heard the details.”
“I don’t need to. The wedding will be attended by scores of important people, which means many guards and security beyond anything you’ve likely ever seen.”
“More people equals more chaos. It’s just about finding the right moment to do it.”
“On the contrary, the added turmoil will make it harder. Everyone will be on edge, especially the very paranoid emperor and his entourage. Think of your wedding as a keg of explosive powder surrounded by candles. One spark and the whole thing could blow up.”
“It’s the only chance I have to get close to the grand vizier. The man never leaves the palace anymore, but he has to for the wedding because he will be officiating.”
“So this entire engagement is nothing but a ruse. You never truly intended to marry the zariina.”
“Which I’m sure will make her very happy.”
“Succeed or not, your countries will go to war.”