“If you or any of your men try anything, I will happily slaughter every person in this inn. Do you understand?” I asked him.
Autolycus nodded, looking a bit concerned while still retaining his debonair attitude. “Of course, my queen. No need to get all fired up.”
“You should kill him just for that terrible joke,” Ahyana said as the king of thieves left.
I opened the door, and there on the bed ...
Xander.
My heart fluttered at the sight of him. I rushed over, with Io right behind me.
He cracked his eyelids open. “I don’t know how I feel about you having a flaming sword of death.”
I had forgotten. I turned it off. “It’s going to make it much harder for you to beat me in a fight.”
He smiled. “I still know how to disarm you.”
Only my husband would be on his deathbed and saying flirtatious things to me.
That I secretly loved.
Io interrupted, directing him to open his mouth. She gave him at least six different potions.
After he finished drinking them, he turned his head toward me. “Your first act as queen was to launch a rescue attempt?”
I both wanted to throttle him for worrying me and hug him because I had missed him so desperately. “It would have worked if you had stayed put. You’re the only person I know who would free himself while a rescue was underway.”
That made his smile even bigger.
“Is the antidote working?” I asked. “Because if you die, I’m going to kill you.”
“It’s working,” he said. “I’m feeling better already. How did you know I was poisoned?”
“My night walking. I saw you and Artemisia. And her former general.” I moved closer to him so that only he would hear me. “I stayed with you all night. I couldn’t bear to leave you.”
“Wife, are you saying you were worried about me?” he teased, and I was again struck with the urge to punch him.
“Look at you. How could I not be worried?”
“I haven’t seen a mirror recently, but I’m sure I look terrible.”
“This is not the time for vanity. Oh no, the poor handsome man is not as handsome as he normally is. Whatever will you do?”
“You think I’m handsome?” he said flirtatiously, and sparks of heat pulsed through me.
What was wrong with me? He had nearly died, and all I wanted was to throw myself on top of him.
“Can you walk?” I asked.
“I can.” He got up slowly.
When he stood, I hugged him. I couldn’t help myself. He was so real and solid.
He kissed the top of my scalp. “I will be fine.”
“You promised you wouldn’t leave me.”
“I wasn’t given much choice in the matter.” He sounded weary, but I also heard the laughter in his voice.
