Page 90 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
She eyed me up and down. “How is she supposed to protect you?”
“I am really regretting not killing you right now,” I muttered as my abilities were called into doubt.
Seela might have questioned more, only the older giant—the spitting image of his son a few decades from now—chose to join us. “Are you done haranguing the boy?” The man held out his hand, and Konstantin clasped it before drawing close for a hug that involved some hearty backslapping and muchgood to see youback and forth.
When Konstantin introduced his father, named Kohnan, to me, he didn’t have any reaction other than polite interest.
Not so for Seela. She appeared much too interested. Which terrified me. The smile on her face as she sized me up… I’d never seen anything more predatory.
She saved her questions for when we were settled at the inn. She trapped me at the table and began her interrogation.
“So tell me, Ilyana, who are your parents?”
“Nobodies.” No point in admitting my papa had owned a shop that didn’t do much business and my mama worked with him.
“How long have you been an assassin?”
Thinking I could shock her, I told her the truth. “I became Jrijori’s apprentice when I was nine, right after I was arrested for killing two soldiers who murdered my mother.”
The shock factor didn’t stop her one bit. “A fierce spirit and sense of family. You’ve got good teeth. Thick hair. Hips are narrow, though. Makes birthing more difficult.”
I arched a brow. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not planning to be a brood mare. Why this concern about my attributes?”
“If you’re going to be with my son—”
“We are not together.”
She waved a hand. “Yet.”
“Ever. I’m not right for him.”
“Is this about your age? You’re not too old to marry. My sister was older than you when she wed, and she’s managed two healthy babes.”
I recoiled. “No thanks.” For a mother intent on seeing her son, why did she grill me?
Worse, I could see Konstantin paying attention and doing nothing to stop her.
“How many children are you planning to have?” she asked. As if every woman dreamed of it.
“None.”
Finally, she showed shock. “None?”
“Tiny people aren’t my thing.”
She pursed her lips. “I can understand that. Konstantin was a handful. What about adoption of an older, suitable child? Always many fine orphans looking for homes because of tragedy.”
“Not sure why you’re asking.”
She glanced at Konstantin, who was talking to his father, then pointedly back at me. Was she seriously trying to matchmake?
“He’s getting married.”
“He’s being a fool. This supposed marriage is nothing but a ploy to get to him.”
It appeared Konstantin had still been paying attention, because his head whipped around. “I am well aware that this might be a complete sham. However, I don’t see any other way to end the threat to our kingdom.”
“We’ll find another way because I won’t allow it.” His mother crossed her arms and had a stubborn look I recognized. Because the son in question wore it, too.