Page 75 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

“You were kidnapped by the Barbarian King, whom you were hired to kill. I arrived here to find out that you’ve almost died several times in his custody, and you dare say you’re not in any danger?” He practically shouted the last bit.

I quirked a smile. “Careful or I might start to think you cared.”

He snorted. “More like making sure I’m getting my cut of whatever the new score is.”

“Would it help if I mentioned it is bigger and easier?”

“Doing what?”

“Protecting the king and those around him from people like us.”

For a second Jrijori didn’t reply. Then he sighed deeply. “This is a fine mess. You should have talked to me first.”

“Circumstances didn’t allow. I don’t see what the problem is. We’ve changed direction on jobs before when offered better money.”

“Not a job like this. The bounty’s been raised on his head. It’s huge. Everyone’s going to be after him.”

“Which is dumb. They’re doing it to stop him from marrying the emperor’s daughter. Meanwhile, he doesn’t actually want to wed her; he simply wants the grand vizier dead.”

“Wait, you’re saying the wedding is part of a plot to kill the grand vizier?”

I nodded. “Complicated, I know. I offered to do it for him, but he refused.”

Jrijori recoiled. “You can’t.”

“Why not?”

“The grand vizier isn’t someone either of us should go near.”

The statement surprised. “Since when are you scared of anyone?”

“Stay away from him.”

“That might be hard given my current task is guarding the Barbarian King until the wedding, which the grand vizier is officiating.”

“Quit. It’s a bad job.”

“How do you figure? I told you it pays really well.”

“You’ve almost died a few times. Sounds as if maybe it should be more.”

“The dragons weren’t his fault. And technically, I fell off the cliff myself.”

“Then took an arrow meant for him.”

“In my defense, that wasn’t my intention. He didn’t move as hoped when I tried to shove him out of the way.”

“Because you tried to move a mountain.” Disdain stung his words.

“I should have told him to duck instead of acting. I’ll know for next time.”

“Because you’re determined to ignore my advice and keep working for him.” Jrijori’s lip curled.

“Weren’t you the one who said we should join a household?”

“One where the lord was weak and easily manipulated. The Barbarian King is neither,” Jrijori pointed out.

“He’s nothing as expected,” I murmured, only to realize I revealed too much. “He’s more intelligent than the rumors gave him credit for. Crafty, too.”