Page 59 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

“Please tell me you took some of your idiots with you.”

“They’re lazy like you and still in bed.”

I rubbed my forehead. “For a man worried about assassins, that was stupid.”

“I doubt any of them have gotten here yet.”

“What if they’re already part of your household? Or they arrived last night and hid in anticipation of you being an idiot who leaves the castle without a proper guard?”

“Not a scratch.” He turned around and showed off his unmarked flesh.

Since he was being intentionally contrary, I dumped him on his back, pounced on his chest, and pricked him under the chin. “That’s how fast it could happen.”

He didn’t look worried one bit. “I let you take me down.”

“Ha.” I snorted, rising from him and sheathing my dagger. I also strapped on my sword. “Have you eaten?”

“I waited for you. I figured you might want to test for poison.”

“Taste testing isn’t part of the deal,” I replied dryly. I’d decided to be a little more me today. Mouthy and dressed to kill.

“Good thing spice neutralizes all poison.” He slammed his gut.

“More like you’ve burned your insides so badly it has no effect. Please don’t tell me breakfast is spiced, too?” Dinner had been hotter coming out this morning. The shower, the water cold this time of morning, was a chilly relief.

“Not all of it. There is bread.”

I grimaced. “Great.” In actuality, the bread turned out to be pastries stuffed with nuts and honey. There was also fruit and cheese, not spicy, and even some eggs to crack out of their boiled shells. I put my hand over the bland ova before anyone could drizzle hot sauce on top.

After breakfast, I stuck close to the king. Seeing his routine would give me an idea of how to keep him safe. Not that he needed me to do so. The man carried himself as if ready to spring into action. He also watched out for others. He saw someone stumble, and his hand shot out to right them before they could truly wobble. My foot slipped on a step, and his arm was around my waist before I could even blink. He let go right away, but people noticed.

He touched me quite a bit. Nothing overt. Just light strokes of his hand on my back as he followed me into a room. He slid his hand over mine to draw my attention to something, trying to make people believe we were lovers. Hard to remember at times we weren’t. His actions felt like more than a sham.

By the midday meal—and after hours of boring castle stuff—I eyed my dull lunch knife. How hard would I have to stab to ease the boredom? How did Konstantin stand his life? I’d followed His Majesty around as he talked to people and listened to their concerns, offered solutions. I tried not to yawn as he admired repairs and complimented the hard work. He even jiggled some drooling babies.

The eye rolling occurred when he accepted the treats from eager maidens, all batting their lashes. Pathetic. Chasing after a man who was not only engaged but supposedly also plowing me in his tower. If we really were a couple, I’d have given a lesson to the first few hopeful chits. Shave a few heads and eyebrows and pluck some lashes. The rest would soon know to stay away.

If I were the jealous sort.

Which I wasn’t.

But I wanted to be.

After the spicy noon-day meal—that kindly had what they called a baby-flavored option for me, which was only lightly mouth-enflaming—Joor cornered me. “Come. Train.”

“With you?” I was a touch surprised.

“I told them how you took me down.” Konstantin grinned.

“Show me.” Joor appeared eager.

I glanced at Konstantin. What was his plan for the afternoon? “I’m supposed to guard the king.”

“He should train, too. He’s slow.”

“Ha. Even at my slowest, I run circles around you.” Konstantin snorted.

“You run because you fight like a Jaamanian.” Joor’s insult.