Page 2 of The King's Man
“Good.”
I turned and started walking away, but a moment later his footsteps sounded behind me.When I glanced over my shoulder to find him following,I turned on him again and planted my fists on my hips.
“I said,leave me alone!”
His lips twitched like I was a joke and I almost plunged a blade straight into his balls.
“Permission to speak and explain… Captain?” he murmured.
God he was insufferable. I folded my arms. “Speak if you must. But get it out now.”
He shocked me again, this time by taking a knee—a position of humbling, and honoring, in a soldier’s life—as he saluted me despite the fact that he apparently outranked me now.
“It is our tradition that when a Nephilim owes a life debt, itmustbe repaid. Until then, I am at your call. A… a slave.” His lips tightened. I couldn’t resist a small smile. “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 I may attempt to make up what you are owed.”
“I am not—”
“If you won’t give me your word, I’ll be forced to shadow you whenever possible, looking for opportunities to release myself from the debt.”
God, not that.My teeth were clenched because I didn’t want to have any more to do with Jann and his games. But if refusing him would mean he’d be even more present than necessary… I shook my head and blew out a frustrated breath.
“Fine,” I snapped, flapping a hand at him. “You have my word that if I am ever inneed,I’ll ask for your help.”
“Thank you.”
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head at him. “Is there anything else? Or—”
I’d been feeling like something was off since the moment he’d walked up, but I hadn’t registeredwhy.Until now. He stared down at me, but it was the first time I fully met his eyes… and saw that they were unchanged.
My heart went cold. That couldn’t be right? He’d fought alongside me. Clearly been desperate to protect Melek. He was an ally! But—
“Are you true, Jannus?” I asked quietly. “Do you even serve my King and Queen? Or are you a traitor, just waiting for your moment—”
He shoved to his feet. “I’ll ignore your rudeness andridiculousspite, but—”
“Ridiculous?!”
“Yes, ridiculous! If you want to be respected as a soldier, don’t drag yourfeelingsinto every decision—”
I huffed, but he snarled on.
“—and measure the merits of a man for his character! Since you can’t seem to stop acting like an embarrassed adolescent, let me help you: Melek is the most admirable male and powerful Nephilim in existence. I believe in himsodeeply, I rejected staking my claim to the throne, because I knew he’d do it better!”
“So you say—”
“So itwas.You can kick dirt in my face, insult me, and dismiss my value as much as you like. I will take your criticismand move on, as a soldier should. But donot…”he stepped closer, looming over me, snarling. “…Donotquestion my loyalty to my best friend whom I call brother.You will not survive it, life debt, or no.”
I scowled at him to cover the jolt of fear rocking through me. “That’s a very pretty speech for someone whose eyes are still yellow.”
Jann blinked and jerked back a step.
I pushed the advantage. “And Melek’s making you General? Well,shit.”I huffed and shook my head. “Maybe I should let you follow me after all. Keep anhonorableeye on you.”
“That… won’t be necessary.” He sounded faint.
I almost laughed and couldn’t resist patting him on the chest like a child. “Servant, I have—”
The moment my hand rested over his heart an electric jangle shot from my palm, up my arm, to explode in my chest. I gasped and jerked away, but my entire skin tingled and my chest suddenly hurt.
