Page 79 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

“I have. What of it?” Which was when Jrijori slapped the sword away, rolled, and popped up with a dagger against Konstantin’s thigh and the location of an artery.

“Well done,” the barbarian declared, not at all discomfited. “You’re fast as promised. You’re hired.”

“What makes you think I’d work for you?” Jrijori rose, casual, and yet I knew if threatened, Konstantin would die.

“You’ll work for me because, for one, why collect a onetime payment for killing me when you could make so much more keeping me alive? Imagine the prestige you’d have as a king’s personal guard.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” Jrijori pursed his lips. “You seem the capable sort. Not sure why you’d bother with one, let alone two personal guards. Although if you need an assassin…”

“I do my own killing.”

“So I’ve heard. Also heard you’re quite good at it, too. When did you start training?”

“I held a knife before I could walk.”

“Impressive. I started as a toddler. She was practically full grown.” Jrijori pointed to me.

“I was nine,” I interjected.

“Which is old for weapons training. Must have been difficult getting rid of her bad habits,” the king commiserated.

Jrijori had a nod for that statement. “Still working on her slowness.”

“She holds back,” Konstantin agreed.

I glanced between them. They’d just banded together against me, and I was too exhausted to deal with it. “I’m going back to sleep.” I snared my folded blanket from the chest at the foot of the bed.

Konstantin crossed his arms and stood in my way when I would have gone up to the next floor. “Where are you going?” he murmured.

“Where it’s quiet.”

He pointed to his bed. “Get in it now and stay in it, or so help me, I will tie you to it.”

My father felt a need to say, “Be warned, she’s good with knots. I can show you a few she doesn’t know, though.”

I glared at the smirking Jrijori and mouthed a bad thing, which had him chortling.

“Bed,” the king ordered.

The effort it would have taken to argue had me muttering, “Fine. I will sleep but only because it’s better than listening to the pair of you.” I eyed my father. “Don’t let the Barbarian die.”

“We’ll see. Depends on if he annoys me.”

Konstantin clapped him on the back. “You like to drink?”

Uh-oh.

I watched them leave and wondered if I should muster up the strength to make sure they didn’t kill each other.

And if they did? Might as well be well rested for the aftermath.

In the morning, no surprise, I woke once more in Konstantin’s arms. I didn’t even tense this time.

“Morning, my little Yanna.”

“Is Jrijori still alive?” I asked.

“Yes. Although he might be a little wounded from our ale consumption. It’s a touch stronger than most people are used to. He required some assistance finding his room.”