Page 24 of Vows of Sacrifice

“I know, my lady.”

“Are you telling me that the three of you can take down ten thieves?”

How do I get out of this mess?

“That’s not what I said,” I countered, with what I hoped was a charming smile.

Ashana’s eyes widened slightly in astonishment.

“That’s what your actions imply.”

I scratched the top of my head, embarrassed. I had to come up with an idea, and fast.

“I’m very strong, you know.”

“I don’t doubt it. But it’s still ten highwaymen. Can you really take on ten armed men on your own?”

“I can,” I asserted without hesitation.

At that, she pointed alternately at Cyrian and Olba with her index finger.

“So, I suppose you don’t really need them.”

Instinctively, I turned to my men, who were doing their utmost to hide their desire to explode with laughter. A single look from me silenced their urge to cackle like turkeys.

“I suppose, yes,” I articulated, before turning my attention back to my wife.

She gave me a beaming smile.

“You really are strong.”

Gosh. This was why I avoided being boastful. It spared me from getting myself into this kind of impossible situation. Without taking my eyes off Ashana, I announced in an irritated voice:

“Cyrian, Olba, look after Lady Ashana while I deal with these ruffians alone.”

* * *

I advanced into the woods that covered most of the area to the right of the road we were travelling to reach the Muvaria border, still furious at having been tricked. Sure, I found my wife sublime, and I was attracted to her, there was no denying it. But now I knew she was also a clever little pest. I stopped.

Ah. They are here.

I felt them. I could even hear their hearts beating fast. There were twelve of them, to be precise.

“Don’t waste my time. Come out of hiding. Even those hiding in the trees,” I announced coldly, swinging my sword in the air.

I waited a moment and then, finally, a blond guy of average height, but with the long, thin build of a serpent, emerged from the thicket. He wore a sword around his waist and shoddy boots.

“What do we have here, friends?” he crooned. Looks like a quality nobleman. A knight without armour, perhaps?

I preferred to ignore his provocation.

“Let me put it to you simply: leave and stay alive. Insist . . . and die.”

“I don’t like your proposals, knight.”

“That’s your problem. So?”

A flash of anger crossed my interlocutor’s dull brown eyes. He made a discreet gesture with his hand. The next instant, I caught an arrow in flight from the heights behind me. I let out a long sigh.

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