Page 89 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

“As if I wouldn’t come see my own son.” She reached for a hug and got one across the space between their horses.

“How did you know where to find me?” he asked, pulling back.

“I heard a rumor you were travelling this way.”

“How could you hear? No one knows our route.”

“A mother does.” Her beatific expression had him shaking his head.

“I am going to beat Joor’s butt for this.”

“It wasn’t me this time!” said butt yelled.

“Don’t you dare get mad at anyone. You should have told me you’d be passing by.”

“I have no time to detour for a visit.”

“Because of that wretched bad idea you had. Which is why we came to you. There’s still time to stop the travesty,” his mother declared.

She could only be talking about the wedding.

“It would give us peace in our lifetime.”

“At the cost of your happiness.” His mother cupped his cheek. The moment was raw and personal. I wanted to turn away, only to see Hoolia stomp over.

“Let me slap him around, my queen. Droga could hold him for me. Maybe then he’ll see the light and keep his little assassin instead.”

“Who?” Mama’s gaze whipped around until it landed on me and narrowed. “Who is that?”

Konstantin arched his brow at me, clearly asking me to choose my position.

Joor stole that from me when he said, “That’s his mistress. He kidnapped her in Feoria and now totes her around everywhere he goes. He even jumped off a cliff after her.”

“He used a rope!” I exhaled. “And I’m not his mistress. I’m his bodyguard.”

For a moment, there was a dead silence. The kind that held ominous intent. Followed by raucous laughter.

They all laughed. Laughed and laughed and laughed.

At me.

So I flipped off my horse, onto Konstantin’s back, and put my knife to his throat before I sweetly said, “Who do I have to kill to get some respect?”

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

I got everyone’s attention.Especially his mother’s. But no respect.

Mama clucked her tongue. “She’s adorable but much too skinny.”

“Am not!” I huffed. Any more weight and I’d have to give up wall climbing.

“Are you planning to shave my son?” his mother asked.

“Just playing around.” Konstantin pried my knife hand free but only because I let him. I slid off his back and hit the ground. He got off his horse and stood by my side as he introduced me. “Ilyana, meet my mother, Queen Seela.”

“Former queen,” she corrected. “Your father retired.

“Mama, this is my bodyguard, Ilyana.”