Page 88 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
“Thank you.”
“Anything for you, my little Yanna.”
He placed me onto his horse and then swung on behind. As I positioned myself, I had to ask, “Why do you call me Yanna?” I assumed it was a shortening of my name.
His answer surprised. “It’s a delicate and yet tenacious flower found only in the highest and most treacherous peaks. Rare and precious.”
“Oh.” Really, what else could I say because ‘thank you’ seemed inadequate. Especially since he only used that name with me.
“Tuck close.” His hand cupped the back of my head.
Anyone else, I might have taken it off. With him, I nestled close and felt safe enough I had a nap. Why not? We moved too fast for anyone to catch us. With the Weztrogian horses moving with thunderous speed, I did get some sleep but also spent some time being very un-assassin-ish by enjoying being wrapped around Konstantin.
It should be noted I wasn’t a person who touched others much. Even Jrijori, whom I considered family. We had contact when we sparred or had to ride double. Other than that, we didn’t hug. We talked. We counted on each other. We kept to ourselves.
The complete opposite of Weztrogians, who did not like to be alone. They found reasons to be together. Touched all the time. Hugging. Kissing. Playful slapping.
A part of me wanted to flinch when they got too close, invading my space. How did I know I could trust them?
Only one didn’t make me shy. Konstantin had proven he preferred me alive. Claimed he wanted to be with me.
Why?
I brought him nothing. No fame. Only a small fortune that I’d probably keep hidden, not to mention, he didn’t appear to need any funds. I was older than the zariina. Not really interested in having children, which perhaps I should make clear. What did he really want from me? He’d not actually said. It couldn’t just be about sex. Not with what was at stake.
His lips brushed my ear. “We’re going to slow shortly and travel normal pace, which will get us to Koorivale well before supper.”
“Spending the night in a town? Is that wise?”
“I know this town and the people in charge of it. We’ll be safe.” A pause then, “The inn provides hot baths.”
I quivered in pleasure at the thought. I lifted my mouth to reply, my shortness just putting my lips close to his neck. “Are you offering to scrub my back?” I flirted. Couldn’t help myself.
He stiffened then growled hotly against my ear, “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
If it was half what I felt, we were both in trouble.
He leaned back from me and whistled, slowing our mad dash to a canter.
I finally remembered I was a deadly killer and turned around, trying to adopt a haughty I-could-murder-you look. I didn’t succeed. I might just have to kill someone to be taken seriously.
Our brief pause led to me being informed that, surprise, my horse could be ridden after all. I gave Droga an evil eye. He’d pay for his subterfuge. I’d not hurt him, but he might find himself with the shits for a few stomach-clenching hours.
We travelled at a quick gait, the trotting enough to set my teeth on edge and rattle my head. We couldn’t stop soon enough.
Only we hadn’t yet made it to town when Hoolia cantered to us from ahead on the road. “We’ve got company coming,” she announced.
I nudged the horse with my knees and put myself beside Konstantin, my hand on the hilt of my sword. A glance around showed the giants spread out but Jrijori missing from his mount. He’d probably found a tree to observe from.
Konstantin sat bored and slouched in his saddle, the most casual he could get. Before long, we caught sight of a pair of giants on horses. By appearance, an older man and woman.
Konstantin groaned while his crew snickered.
A moment later I knew why, as the woman, who’d trotted ahead, yelled, “I told you it was him. A mother always knows when her child is close by.”
Child? My mouth rounded as Konstantin confirmed it.
“Mama, what are you doing here?” He clicked his heels on his stallion and approached the woman riding astride. Her trousers were billowy in the leg but tight in the waist and ankle, tucked into fur-trimmed boots. All in white, with only hints of gray.