King of the Seditious
The Unasked

The Nauvree was still sipping at Dimurah’s Sleep Duster. Guaranteed to wash away a heavy night of drink as he eyed her. Expecting an answer as to why she was holding Savage to account for all the same things he’d been doing for many years.

He’d just asked what the real reason she was so upset with Savage was.

“For no reason!” She added angrily. Unwilling to tell him something so intimate.

“You know that’s not true.” Nauvree chided. Seeing through her attitude. But willing to let the subject drop. However, he added. “He had reason.”

The Nauvree eyed her stomping back and forth behind the counter. Despite her varying looks, she sometimes reminded him very much of Riaura in temperament.

“Sometimes, your endearing blindness can be quite irritating. Even to me. I can only imagine how poor Savage feels about it.

“I am not his property!”

“He wasn’t marking you his property.”

She paused to arch a red brow. “Oh? Wasn’t he?” Her lip twitched in annoyance. “Isn’t he always declaring that I’m his?”

“Only to protect you.” Nauvree sighed patiently. “He served the man a consequence for touching you disrespectfully. I fail to see why you’re so upset.”

“I didn’t ask him to!”

“You didn’t have to. He does many things for you, you don’t ask him to.”

“What do you mean?” She paused. Confusion written over her face as she fisted a dirtied rag.

“Has it ever occurred to you, Dimurah, that did he not enforce the laws in this little guild that men would run amuck? That dear Joe’s crude touch wouldn’t have been the first nor the last you’d endure, were not every one of these assassin’s afraid of defying their King?”

“I miss your meaning, Nauvree?”

“No. You do not. You just don’t want to hear it. There’s a difference.”

She paused to give him a black look.

“Admit it. You just don’t wish to acknowledge what’s plain for everyone else to see.”

She scowled at him. Which was confirmation enough.

“You may glare at me all you wish, Barter Queen. It doesn’t make what I say less true. You aren’t a stupid woman. Far from.”

She snarled under her breath.

“If you were, you wouldn’t be such a vicious Barter Queen.” A lighter note entered his voice as he served her the compliment with a half-smile.

She tilted her head disapprovingly seeing the manipulation for what it was, but her cheeks brightened at the kind words. Pride somewhat assuaged.

Despite Dimurah’s dramatic exit of the alehouse, Savage was unsurprised to replace her standing in the corner of his tent when he tossed aside the tent flap to take his bed.

“I’ve not the tolerance to explain myself to you tonight, Murah.”

“Nevertheless, you will.”

“You know why I did it.”

“I begged you not to.”

“I understand that.” He countered. Softening his tone. “But it had to be done.”

“Why?” She stomped a foot in her frustration. Her hands fisting in a way which told him if he had more property in his tent, she’d have flung something at him already.

“Because if he was the first whom I let trespass, he’d be far from the last.”

“What the devil does that mean?”

He gave her a heated look. “You know very well what.”

“Explain. For once.”

“Murah, though you know much of the ways of this place, you don’t yet understand them. If he was not taken to account, then every man in there would’ve wanted to have a go at putting their hands on you. They’re almost like small children all wishing to push boundaries.” He tossed through his trunk, looking for a loose tunic to wear to bed.

“What has any of that to do with me?”

“Everything.” Savage paused to whip around and land a severe blue gaze on her. “You are the boundary I’ve set as King here, and they all know it.”

“Why? Why does it have to be me?”

“Come on, Murah.” He said in a cold voice. “What do you think would happen to you if I stopped enforcing my laws to protect you?”

“Ugh!” She tossed her arms in frustration and stalked from the tent.

Savage was highly tempted to yank her back and take her wildly until she was panting beneath him to stop the needless fighting.

Which she seems to be forever clinging to lately.

But he sensed that if he did just now, she’d use it as a reason to put further walls between them.

I’ll not give her that.

THE NEXT DAY

Savage kicked open the door to Winter’s Haven. Intent on replaceing Dimurah. And determining if she’s still furious with me.

He past Joe near the door, who lowered his head in deference. Eyes flicking up in a thankful glance.

Savage gave him a long stare but said nothing. His attention averting to the counter.

“Murah!” He shouted. Making the men separating him from the counter break him a path.

Winter’s Haven quieted as everyone looked to him.

She’s a lovely sight tonight. Even in my old cloak.

“Go rot in Hell!” She shouted from where she was ducked behind the bar searching for more tankards.

Charming as usual. Savage tipped his head back in laughter.

Easing those who watched him like a simmering powder keg. Resuming conversation and drinking again.

Now I can give her my attention. His head dropped forward, and blue eyes zeroed in on her straightening behind the bar.

Adrea intercepted him. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough?”

“Shoo fly.” He waved her away. Looking at her darkly.

After a moment she eased from his path, gaze flicking to the floor as she sensed the danger, she’d put herself in.

A momentary blunder. He dismissed.

He’d missed Murah. And I’m done with her being irritated at me.

He reached the counter. Leaning a hip and elbow against it as she worked to evade his gaze. “Come for a walk with me.”

“You know very well I won’t.” Her gaze flitted over the crowded alehouse.

Still looking everywhere but at me.

“Not one of them will say shit.”

As you know very well.

“No, they likely won’t. But they’ll think it. And then they’ll all think I’m open for business.”

“No, they won’t.”

They know better.

Her head whipped to him. “How can you say that? You know how they act around here when a new whore is ripe for the taking!”

Yes.

“You’re no whore. They’re all very aware that you aren’t for them.”

“But I am for you, I presume?” Her voice turned acid. A tone he recognized.