Free Invisible Assassin by T C Southwell

neck with a shiver.
    "That was rather too close for comfort, My Lord."
    He smiled. "A good thing he dismissed me as a fop. It pays to look harmless."
    "Harmless, you? I would not say such a thing."
    "You know what I truly am, but most people think assassins look disreputable and sly, perhaps even brutish and scarred, which many do. The best disguise is that of nobility, as Talon, my mentor has. I do not claim to look noble, only innocuous."
    Her eyes sparkled. "Perhaps innocent is a better description."
    The assassin's brows rose. "Innocent? Now you do surprise me, My Queen."
    "Yet when you are angry you do look quite dangerous. That is how Chiana described you on the day you came to the palace."
    "Did she?" His smile broadened to reveal even white teeth in a rare grin. "As I recall, I was rather angry that day. It seems such a long time ago now. "
    "Yes. A lifetime ago." The Queen gazed into her wine cup as she became lost in memories.
    Shista flung herself down next to Blade and rolled onto her back, demanding that he scratch her belly. He obliged, and the cat purred in a deep rumble. Minna watched him, recalling her first encounter with this strange man whose eyes held the freezing touch of a blizzard. Then, as now, Shista had warmed to him, and the cat was a better judge of character than any person Minna knew.
    Blade stayed with the Queen for the rest of the day to ensure that Ronan did not escape his bonds. In the middle of the afternoon an advisor came to enquire after the Prince, and Blade hid Ronan behind a curtain. The man looked suspicious when told that Ronan had left long before, his eyes darting about the room. Blade sensed that he may have searched more thoroughly had Minna been alone, but the assassin's presence, even as a courtier, seemed to dissuade him.
    When at last Kerrion returned, dusk had fallen and the heat of the day gave way to the evening chill. The King looked surprised to find the assassin sipping wine with the Queen, and shot Minna a curious glance.
    "Still entertaining?"
    She looked at Blade. "My Lord Conash was good enough to stay with me after my uninvited guest had been dealt with."
    "What guest?"
    Blade rose and went over to draw the curtain aside. Kerrion's eyes widened at the sight of his dishevelled brother. Striding over to the Prince, he untied his ankles and yanked him to his feet by his collar, then jerked out the gag.
    "I do not need to ask why you are here, I suppose?"
    Ronan snarled, "Your damned slut has gone too far! I shall not let this indignity go unpunished."
    Kerrion slapped him, making him stagger. "You will be lucky if I do not banish you to some obscure oasis where you can spend your days negotiating with the local warlords."
    "Why do you not?" Blade enquired.
    Ronan glared at the assassin. "Hold your tongue, you insolent fop!"
    "Fop?" Kerrion's brows rose, and he glanced at Minna.
    She smiled. "My courtier, who helped to save me."
    "Ah." The King scowled at his brother. "Your intrusion into my private quarters without invitation is sufficient reason for punishment."
    "What punishment? It is hardly an act of treason."
    "No, merely a personal affront. Something I am quite within my rights to redeem, so long as I do not kill you."
    "You would not dare!"
    "Dare?" Kerrion's voice rose. "I am the King! No one enters my private quarters uninvited. No one!"
    "And I shall demand satisfaction for the effrontery of your whore's dandy."
    The King gripped his brother's collar and jerked him closer, nose-to-nose. "Each time you open your mouth, your situation becomes more dire, Ronan. If you demand any such thing, I will give you more than a few bruises. Perhaps the loss of an ear or eye will cool your temper? Or maybe I should send you to lead the army against the nomads in the east? An honourable way for a prince to die, so I am told. Definitely more so than in some dark gutter when I tire of your insolence. Do not think I will not do it. I am the King, and you should not forget