Page 24 of The King's Man
“Good morning,” I said, refilling the tiny mug I’d been given from their pot and trying not to smile too broadly when they bristled.
But the indifference and grinning were an act. From the corner of my eye, I watched Jhonas loom over his sister, lean in, clearly agitated.
She folded her arms, but her face was pale. She gestured with one hand as she explained why we were there.
He kept glancing at me like he thought I’d rush over.
And I wanted to, especially when he pointed back at me and leaned down to get in her face.
I wanted to smack some sense into him, but clenched my teeth and made myself breathe. Still, my skin was too tight, and I guess my anger showed in my eyes, because one of the Fetch soldiers hurriedly made excuses to leave.
To my surprise, one of the men tried to strike up a conversation. And though he wasn’t smiling, he wasn’t challenging, either.
“Are the King and Queen well? Why have they sent you and the Captain here?”
“The King and Queenarewell, and taking what belongs to them. Important messages are sent through trusted allies,” I muttered.
I couldn’t hear what the siblings were saying to each other, but Jhonas never stopped glancing at me over her shoulder. And Diadre was growing stiffer and more resistant by the minute.
What was the fucker saying to her?
I blinked when she raised her chin and poked her brother in the chest, then turned on her heel and stormed towards me, fire in her eyes.
“Diadre—Captain!”Jhonas barked, then hurried after her, hissing as they drew closer. “Diadre, fucking stop! You can’t do this. I outrank you!”
Just steps from me, Diadre halted abruptly, her eyes wide and her jaw flexing.
I grinned and nodded at her.
Jhonas was about to get the sharp side of that tongue of hers.
She whirled on her brother and drew herself up to her full height—which, admittedly, was little more than a child’s—and spat at him. “I am under instructions from theKing.You cannotchange my orders!”
“Only because I wasn’t there to begin with—in the field—”
“She’s speaking the truth,” I growled.
“I don’t give a fuck what you think—”
“I am the General of the King’s army. And she is the Queen’s advisor. We have been charged with this mission. I outrank both of you. It’s my call.”
Jhonas sneered. “Of courseyouwant her with you—you could overpower her easily.”
Diadre made a strangled noise, but I smiled. “I could overpower you too, if I had to. But I don’t. Because I outrank you.”
Jhonas’s eyes narrowed. “Your rank has no bearing on ours—you’re not part of the Shadekin military. I have no responsibility to you.”
Diadre turned on him, opening her mouth to correct him, but I stepped past her, putting myself at his toes and giving him a taste of theloominghe was so ready to give his sister.
“I justfoughtto bring your King and Queen safely through the civil war ofmypeople. I believe they are alsoyourKing and Queen. You do not listen to instructions from them?”
“Of course I do,” Jhonas muttered. “But in the field—”
“Excellent. Then know that we were sent to tell you to stand your ground and await further news. But if you see hide or hair of Gall or Istral, you send a runner to the Queenimmediately.”
Something brushed my arm, and Diadre quietly cleared her throat.
Keep your mouth shut and trust me.
