Page 34 of A Warrior's Heart

“One day, you will give him a stroke,” Lorcan said as he walked beside me. “Did you see that vein protruding from his forehead?”

I snickered, then snapped my mouth shut when I looked behind me and saw Malik’s glare. Reif, Nereus, Ervin, and Shar followed behind him. The other assassins were staying with Eva, Kellan, and Fletcher to watch the ship while we were gone. There were no known inhabitants on the island, yet that didn’t mean it was deserted. Pirates could be there. Maybe even King James and his men or another enemy.

Eva chose to stay behind while Alek went with us. That way, each group would have a healer just in case anything happened.

“How far is the seer?” I asked once we were off the ship and on the shore. If only I weren’t wearing boots. I’d love to stick my toes in the warm sand.

“We should reach the mountain by nightfall,” Malik responded. “We’ll need to make camp before then.”

I halted in the sand. “We’ll have to sleep outside? Out in the open?”

Malik’s lips twitched. “Oh yes. Outside with the insects and night creatures of the land. Do you want to turn back?”

I glowered at him, knowing he was trying to frighten me. “Not a chance.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he said. We left the beach and walked through the grass toward the barrier of trees. “I’ve heard tales of jungle snakes that can swallow a man whole.”

Nereus snapped his head toward Malik, his eyes widening. “Is that true?”

Malik briefly closed his eyes and continued forward. He’d been trying to scare me but had frightened Nereus instead.

“Wait,” Nereus said, picking up his pace. “What was that about a giant snake?”

Shar chuckled. “No worries, kid. I’ll protect you from the slithery creatures.”

“Kid?” Nereus arched a brow at the assassin. “I am no child.”

“Don’t step on that snake,” Shar said, pointing to the ground.

Nereus gasped and jolted backward, his gaze searching the grass.

Even with his mouth covered, I knew Shar was smiling.

“Enough with the teasing,” Ervin said in a hard tone, focusing on Shar. “This is not the time for games.”

“You’d do well to have a bit of fun every once in a while,” Shar responded, then sighed when Ervin ignored him. His purple eyes moved to me. “Nice bow.”

“King Triton had it made for me,” I said, feeling affection for the king at the memory. After my father was killed, he had taken me in and treated me like his own son. Better than his own son actually. He spoiled me while being strict on Lorcan.

“Can you shoot it well?”

“He’s the best archer I’ve ever known.” Lorcan threw an arm around my shoulders. “I doubt even you could beat him.”

Shar bowed his head to Lorcan. “My prince.”

My face heated. “I am no assassin. But I always hit my mark.”

“Perhaps we could train together during our travels,” Shar said, his eyes twinkling with a smile. “I’d like to see your talent for myself.”

Was he mocking me? It was hard to tell.

Malik stepped between us, his massive body blocking my view of Shar completely. He gripped my elbow and pulled me with him.

“I can walk myself, you know,” I said, tugging my arm free.

“Sounds like you’re flirting to me.”

“Flirting?” My head spun. “Are you insane? We were only speaking of archery. And what does it matter to you even if Iwasflirting?”