Page 87 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
“Actually, I had him during the day. He was yours for the night. And he deserves the blame for the spiders. He knew about them but didn’t tell me. Which means he is probably withholding even more information.” I glared at Konstantin.
His lips curved. “Is this a good or bad time to mention the cave sometimes has issues with eels?”
“What?” I squeaked. This time when I shoved out of his grip, he set me down.
“The good news is they can’t be out of water for long. They hate fire, but if you chop off their heads, they won’t die. You need to hack them until you find where they hid their heart. They tend to move them around their bodies.” Konstantin didn’t crack a smile. Surely he teased?
“Ignore the Barbarian.” Jrijori slashed a hand. “Forget the eels. The caves are having a dry spell, which means we’re fine. What’s not fine is the fact you were caught in the first place. You should have been paying attention.”
I hung my head. “I know.”
“Knowing isn’t enough. You can’t allow yourself to become complacent. You must be faster. On guard. How else will you unlock your full potential?”
“Or I could just retire somewhere quiet. Maybe get myself a real shop. No more killing people,” I mused aloud. A boring life. Perhaps it was time.
“That would be a waste of your talent.” Jrijori sounded disgusted.
“A talent for what? Killing those who’ve chosen the wrong lovers? Cuckolded wives and husbands? Settling petty squabbles for nobles?”
“As opposed to what? You think working for a king, even this one”—Jrijori glared at the Barbarian—“will be any different?”
“He hasn’t asked me to kill for him.”
“Yet.” My father’s ominous prediction.
Konstantin growled. “Enough.”
Jrijori turned a cold gaze on him. “If I ever found myself wanting to hear from a barbarian, I would kill myself because your opinion is neither requested nor desired.” He then eyed me. “As for you, use that head for something other than batting eyelashes. If you think he’s hired you to protect him, then you’ve learned nothing from me. He wants you for something else. Maybe you should ask what that is.”
Looking at the Barbarian didn’t reassure. His grim expression conveyed nothing but annoyance.
As for me, I was suddenly tired, but we wouldn’t be resting. Already the crew had packed the horses, and I eyed mine with dread. I wasn’t as fine as I kept telling everyone. My body ached. I wanted to sleep, maybe for a few days. I felt tight in my skin. Hot and cold. Just plain uncomfortable. Oddly, I found calm only when touching my sword. Like now. It eased me.
I was also reminded of how it came to my hand. I’d called, and it responded. Was it the only weapon I could do that with? I wanted to ask Konstantin or Jrijori but feared sounding foolish.
The time to climb my horse came. I gripped the saddle and put my foot in the stirrup. A good heave, and I’d be on.
Droga put his hand on the pommel. “You can’t ride the mare today.”
“Why not?”
“Rock in her hoof. You’ll have to ride with someone else.” Droga shoved me in Konstantin’s direction.
I frowned. My horse had nothing wrong with her. They were protecting me again. I didn’t like it one bit. I scowled at Konstantin. “Did you arrange this?”
“So suspicious. Would you feel better if I said you should ride with me because we’ll be going fast?”
Remembering the last time, I nodded. “In that case, fine, but what about Jrijori?”
Konstantin’s naughty grin had me biting my lip. “I offered to let him ride with Hoolia since her stallion could have handled them both. He refused.”
“He’d rather die than admit you can do something he can’t.”
“I should be so lucky,” he muttered.
“That’s my father you’re wishing dead.”
Disgruntlement twisted his features and lips. “We wouldn’t want that. I won’t let him come to harm. You have my word.”