Page 191 of The King is Dead
Diadre had just straightened and was examining something in her hands, her head bent forward and her thick hair half-fallen from her braid. I cleared my throat.
She didn’t flinch, or even look at me.
She must have seen me coming.
“What is it, Jann?” she asked flatly, turning over whatever she’d found in the Neph’s pocket.
My pride bristled, but I swallowed it back. I owed her a life debt.
“I came to thank you,” I said quietly.
She went still, only her hair fluttering in the low, morning breeze before she raised her chin, and her narrowed eyes locked on mine.
“It’s not necessary,” she said, then tucked the treasure into her cleavage before turning to walk the bloodied earth to the next body.
I caught her elbow with gentle fingers, but she hissed and responded as if I’d attacked her—whirling, arm snapping around to break my grip in admirable form many of my soldiers could have benefitted from emulating—then bouncing to face me, her center of gravity lowered and hands up to fend off any further attack.
I sighed and stepped back, raising my hands so she’d see I meant no harm.
“I’m not trying to take you.God,”I muttered. “I want tothankyou.”
“So you said, and yet here I am,being touched.”
I almost rolled my eyes and left. If she couldn’t even allow me to express gratitude, perhaps she didn’t deserve it.
But my fucking honordemandedthat I acknowledge my debt to her. So, dropping my arms and clenching my hands at my sides, I forced myself to bow.
“I am Jannus the Halfling, a Captain—no, General—of the Nephilim. And your servant,” I said through my teeth. “We stood shoulder to shoulder in battle, and I live and breathe today because of your—”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. I warned you a guy was coming and planted a knife in him. I would have done the same for a fuckingmessenger boy.You’re welcome. Now, let it go.”
“Trust me, I wish I could,” I said tightly. “But my honor demands—”
“Honor, my ass,” Diadre hissed, taking two short steps to stand at my toes and point a finger right at my chest. “Honor doesn’t come from you being humbled. Honor would have recognized a fellow soldier.Honorwouldn’t have dismissed me simply because I am in possession ofbreasts,”she snarled.
And a beautiful pair they were, too. Though the way her face was currently twisted in loathing at the sight of me, I doubted she’d appreciate the compliment.
I cleared my throat. “I recognize your skill. My life is indebted—”
“I don’t give two shits if I saved your life or not,” she spat. “Our little charade isdone.You touch me again without my permission and I will remove your testicleswith my teeth.You stay the hell away from me, Jannus the Half-ass. Don’t touch me. Don’t talk to me. Don’t evenlookat me unless it’s in service to my King and Queen. Do you hear me?”
I nodded slowly. “I hear you.”
“Good.”
She turned on her heel. I waited until she had taken two or three steps, then started after her. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes widening, blazing with anger as she turned and stopped again.
“I just said,leave me alone!”Her voice went shrill on the last sentence, and with her hair sticking out after the battle, she looked like a flustered cat.
It’s not funny. It’s not funny. Donotlaugh.
“Permission to speak and explain… Captain?” I whispered, proud of myself because I didn’t even chortle.
Her eyes bulged, then narrowed to slits as she folded her arms under those beautiful breasts and hissed. “Speak if you must. But get it out now.”
I cleared my throat again, then took a knee and clasped a hand to my chest. Her head jerked back a hair, but she blinked and tried to cover her shock.
I swallowed a smile. “It is our tradition that when a Nephilim owes a life debt, itmustbe repaid. Until then, I am at your call. A… a slave.” God, that made my skin itch. “I will do as you wish and give you space. But only if you give me your word—as an Officer of the crown—that if you are in need, you will send for me so that I can attempt to make up what you are owed.”
