King of the Seditious

“My name is Acel Jaxson, Savage Jack. I’m assassin, killer, warrior. I kill without blinking. Man or woman. My code is simple. Don’t betray me or I’ll kill you.

Only one betrays me and lives. In a world where I’m King, she is Queen. But she intends to never be mine. She doesn’t realize she already is…”

REDBAYNE

“I don’t know what you’re implying.” Dimurah was nearly hissing at RedBayne. Disliking the large, red haired barbarian more by the minute. Purely for implying she needed Savage to maintain her stature in the Blue Lark.

Hating it more because she knew it was true.

“Ye know full well, what I’m saying. Have ye any idea what tha’ vile creature was sitting at the counter thinkin’?”

“I’m no mind reader.”

Well, fortunately for you someone must be. Because he heard what that creature wanted to do to you.

“Well, ‘twas apparent tha’ creature ’ad plans for ye…Unpleasant un’s.”

“For me?”

“Yea, Barter Queen.” He shook his head. “No’ ever’ man in this guild is honorable.”

“Well, they know better than to disrespect me.”

“And why do ye suppose tha’ ’tis?”

“I stand on my own two feet, RedBayne. I dearly hope you aren’t implying I need a man to take care of me in this place.”

“Ye’re clever, vicious, spirited and particularly good at performing yer role in the Blue Lark. But everythin’ ye ‘ave,” RedBayne leaned over her, nearly nose-to-nose with her to convey the importance of what he said. “everythin’ ye are, is due him.”

“Due to him?” She squawked.

“RedBayne!” Savage’s voice cut across the Haven. “She’s tired.”

RedBayne turned away from her. Seeing the look on Savage’s face it was easy to determine. I was too close to her.

Infringing on his territory.

Unwise. RedBayne recognized.

“I was leavin’.” He rounded the counter and headed for the door under Savage Jack’s careful eye. “Dimurah.” He paused to cast over a muscled shoulder. “I’d a lass I looked at, like ye look at ’im, if I’d a chance to look at ‘er like tha’ now…I’d ne’er stop. Ne’er let ’er go again…”

“RedBayne.” Savage’s voice silenced him. “I don’t need your help.”

“I know tha’.” RedBayne said. “But there’s some she shoul’ know.”

“There’s things no one need know.”

What does he mean? It was impossible to tell when there was no inflection at all in the man’s toneless words. RedBayne was unsure if it was a threat, a warning or a plea.

Either way. He’s asking me not to tell her.

SAVAGE JAXSON

“What was that about?” Dimurah asked. Watching Savage’s approach with a skeptical eye. “I was interested in what he was saying.”

That’s the problem.

“I heard that.”

“Why do you get so jealous?”

Jealous?

He sighed. “I wasn’t jealous, Dimurah. I worry about you.” He said plainly.

Dimurah stirred a brewed liquid in a small wooden cup.

He gave her a coaxing look. Sticking out his bottom lip in a feigned pout.

Sighing dramatically, she handed the cup over and began mixing a second one for herself.

This one was for me anyway. He knew.

She usually made it in the evenings. Knowing he had problems sleeping at night. Sleep Duster she calls it.

She handed him a spoon and he slowly stirred it.

Awful is what I call it.

It tastes like squirrel piss.

But it was part of their nightly ritual.

He pretended to enjoy every sip. Against every fiber of my being. He thought ruefully.

It’s one way I get time with her. Which made it worth it.

Now that the Haven was closed for the night, she removed the green cloak.

As she always does.

Folding it over her arm and setting it on the counter. She drew a rag from under the wooden top and began to scrub the splintered surface.

Her breasts plunged against the pale blue dress she wore.

One I found for her at the Traders’ Market. It laced up the back, so it fit even her extreme curves.

His eyes trailed over all her rounded fullness hungrily. Things had been less complex before she took over Winter’s Haven. And started becoming annoyed with everything I do.

“How about you tell me then why you killed that man tonight?” She coaxed. Voice going husky.

The voice she uses when she wants something from me.

He put the cup to his lips briefly to buy some time. Awful stuff.

Though some of the assassins had a taste for it, Savage wasn’t one of them. It tastes like every herb I can’t stand in one cup.

Delightful. He thought ruefully. Staring into it as he tried not to think about the flavor stinging his tongue.

“Murah, for the most part I can keep things within these walls simple for you.” He gestured around. “There is good and bad. Right and wrong. And I can keep you safe from the complexities of the outside world.”

“Alright?” She prompted. Delicate brows furrowing in confusion.

“But on occasion, other things do seep in…”

“Other things?”

“Things that’d hurt you, Murah.” He levelled his blue gaze on her. Unwilling to explain further.

And she knew that look on him.

“You’re asking questions you won’t like my responses to.” He warned.

“Because you won’t respond!”

He blinked at her.

Which she took as confirmation. “See! You and all ye’re bloody secrets!”

“You think you’re so much better than me!” She tossed her arms. Beginning to pace behind the counter.”

“You know that’s not true.” He watched her like one cat watches another who’s hissing.

“It is!”

“Calm down.” He coaxed in a soft voice.

“Why do you always say that like it’s actually going to happen?” She rounded to spit her venom at him.

“I keep hoping...” He said dryly.

She gasped in outrage.

Wrong thing to say.

“Murah, we both know when I come around this counter and get ahold of you, you’ll melt in my arms, heat to my touch and be ready for me by the time I slide into you. Why do we have to play these games?”

“They’re not games to me!” She said hatefully, her eyes narrowed. Though she didn’t deny any of it.

Sighing, he slid off the stool and rounded the counter. Palming the corner to swing smoothly around it, had her scurrying backward to stumble over the barrels of ale stored there.

“You’ve nowhere to go, Sweetheart.” His face darkened as he descended on her.