Page 5 of The King's Man 1

I lurch off the wall and bolt, slipping and sliding down the icy arch toward the shadows of the side streets.

Small flashes of my magic light up the leaves in the tree I’ve climbed. “Take this one, Akilah.”

“Must we really collect syruphere? There are trees in the city.”

“Not this kind. This tree is rare. It makes the best taffy.”

“Great. We’re not just pilfering royal syrup, we’re pilferingpreciousroyal syrup. Have you not heard the phrase ‘off with his head’?”

“Look at all those stains! That’s years of syrup gone to waste. Years of delicious taffy that never came into existence.”

“You and your taffy!”

“Let the whole world know: I love taffy!”

“The difference between syrups is barely noticeable. Are you sure you didn’t come back here for... other reasons?”

“Ha!”

A deep voice rumbles from below, startling me. “You love taffy more than life?”

Akilah yelps. I lose my balance and tumble.

I just manage to plant a foot on a broad shoulder and launch myself back onto the branch. “Arcane Sovereign!” I gasp, clutching the trunk.

I peer around. And nearly fall again.

Those lips pressed tight. That unimpressed stare at the fresh boot print now decorating his spotless cloak.

My breath catches.

He steers his horse a step closer, just enough to flick my nose with a single finger.

“Maskios!” I wince-laugh. “We meet again.”

“Not my name.”

“Who are you then?” I hang further off the branch. “Are youreallya criminal?”

He tries to flick me again, but I swing out of reach.

“You can call me... Calix Solin,” he says.

“Sure, Maskios. I’ll do that.”

He glares. “I travel here a few times a year to study. From Hinsard.”

“A scholar from Hinsard.” I reach for one of his braids, lift it, and breathe in the scent of magic—just like I did the first time. And the second. The scent fascinates me. I want to... understand.

“Why hide your true appearance, then?”

Calix regrips his reins, meeting my gaze head-on. “I have trouble with unwanted attention. My magnetic beauty becomes problematic. Like Skeldars.”

I laugh and drop the braid. “I’m part Skeldar. Does that meanIhave magnetic beauty?”

Calix jerks his horse back a step and looks away.

I glance up at Akilah. “What do you think? Am I handsome?”

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