Page 68 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

Once in his room, I insisted, “Put me down.”

He set me on my feet, where I wavered. And he knew it. He hovered close by, ready to catch me if I fell. Pure determination ensured I didn’t. Every muscle in my body trembled. Begged for relief. I let the cloak wrapped around me fall to the floor as I tottered for the chair and the blanket folded on its seat.

He growled. “Don’t even think of it. Get in the bed.”

I wanted to. So badly. But then he’d think I took orders from him. Which I kind of did. As my employer he could tell me what to do when it came to work. But he needed to understand, when it came to me, I decided for myself.

“I’m getting out of this shirt and showering. Then I’ll sleep where I choose.”

He glared.

I could have wasted time glaring back, but a shower actually sounded amazing. I marched into the bathing room and almost moaned in happiness when the water emerged still warm. I soaped the river from my skin. Cleaned my cuts and bruises. Emerged to find only one lantern on the table with a tray of fruits and bread. A glance to the bed showed the blankets on it pulled back.

“Eat.” He pointed, but I shook my head.

“Not hungry. Tired.”

“Then rest.” Konstantin waited alongside the bed, arms crossed, looking stubborn. He expected me to argue about where I’d sleep.

I walked toward him, and he kept his gaze on me. Quiet. Solid.

A king who’d risked himself to save me. Never mind he’d climbed that ravine before. I’d seen how hard we had to fight against those dragons. There could have been more. What if they’d gone after him as he climbed down?

He’d have died because of me. And I don’t think he cared.

I stopped in front of him, short enough I had to crane to see his face. Yet, I didn’t feel threatened or overshadowed.

“Thank you.” I wasn’t the type to gush, but I knew how to be sincere.

A smile tugged the corner of his lips. “You’re welcome. Now, get to bed.”

He expected me to fight him. Not today. Today, my body needed healing more than stubbornness. I melted onto that mattress. Literally, my body turned into a boneless puddle and my eyes closed the moment my head hit the pillow.

I sighed.

This really was much better than the floor.

He pulled the blankets over me, tucking me in. I think the last person to do that was my mother. Jrijori wasn’t the coddling type.

Yet this man, this king, this warrior, made sure the blanket came up over my shoulders before he blew out the light.

I managed to murmur, “Don’t get killed before I wake up,” and then I slept—and dreamed.

The dragon drops. I’ve killed it. It hits the ground, and the tremble under my feet is subtle. So subtle I don’t move. When the cliff drops, I fall with it.

Plummeting down.

Down…

This time there isn’t water to cushion my fall. I hit the ground—

CHAPTERNINETEEN

“Argh!”I jolted awake, the cry still on my lips. I wasn’t actually falling but secure in Konstantin’s arms.

“What are you doing?” I grumbled.

“Making sure you don’t fall out of bed.”