Page 7 of The King's Man 1

The youths snicker. “Who do you think you are? King?”

“Who doyouthink you are?” I snap. “Rich bullies with nothing better to do?”

One swings his drakopala at my face—I duck.

“We’re all first-born sons of high-ranking officials! We’ll be running the court someday!”

Enough.

I wheel toward the one holding the bundle, toss out a sleeping spell— He slumps in the saddle.

I catch the cat.

And immediately we’re under fire. Nasty spells come flying.

Calix charges into the throng, blocking each one. “Get to the woods.”

I obey, galloping hard, heart in my throat.

One glance over my shoulder. A spell slices through Calix’s sleeve.

At the clearing, I pace, stomach knotted. Watching every shadow.

He comes on the whisper of wind and hooves—upright, composed. But his eyes spark as soon as he sees me.

He halts his horse hard.

I pat the bundle at my chest, the cat now safe in a makeshift sling. I offer a smile, slide my horse closer, and nudge his foot from the stirrup. I lean over and carefully tuck the sling’s strap around his neck.

“There-there. Maskios has money. He’ll take care of you.”

I return to my seat and raise a brow. “Why are you glaring at me like that?”

“That was dangerous. You risked your life.For a cat.”

“They might’ve killed it!”

“You can’t save everyone!”

I turn so we’re side by side. “I can try.”

“Sometimes youshouldn’t. Sometimes you just have to make hard choices. Not everything can be saved.”

“How defeatist.”

“They would’ve spelled you from your horse. You’d have been trampled. Killed. And in the end, it wouldn’t matter. You’re justpar-linea.”

Just par-linea.

The words slice sharper than any spell.

I rear back, my horse shifting beneath me. “Just par-linea.”

The ache is sudden. Raw.

“That’s the truth.”

Leaves rustle around us.

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