Shady

“Like you took my entire leg,” he croaked.

“Lasted this long.” Jerica grinned, trying for nonchalance. “Biryn’s not gonna be the one to do me in, I can promise you that.”

Aleth felt feverish. His entire body ached. His head felt like it was seven times too big and his foot felt like she’d chopped the entirety of it off. But ...

“He hurts people when I’m gone.” Jerica thought back to the brief reprieve she’d had with Aerik. “It’s better if I’m there to distract them. I’m strong enough to handle ...

(Sounds good to me!)

Aleth started to scream, but passed out before he got it all the way out.

“It’s the only use of the King’s Assassin,” Jerica said. “I like to pretend that there’s something more to Jerica. But you’re probably right.”

Aleth whimpered in anticipation, then took the leather and clamped it between his teeth.

Aleth took a deep breath and sighed heavily, then gulped as much of the liquor as he could, deciding there was no point in delaying the inevitable. May as well ...

Jerica laughed abruptly. “‘Your sole worth lies in your ability to be useful. You’re useless if you won’t execute people.’” Jerica quoted. “Grade A love right there.”

“I still don’t like this,” Aleth protested but put the bottle to his lips and took as big of a drink as he could manage, grimacing as he swallowed. “I… ...

“Yes,” Aleth answered quickly. Not that it’d be tolerable either way. But maybe it’d help just a bit. “Please.”

“Because he’s terrible and wants terrible things to happen.” Jerica sighed, cracking her neck. “And he wants me to do them for him. And I won’t… well… I try to ...

“I see no difference,” Aleth protested, eyeing the guards as they shuffled forward. “Wait! Wait! … liquor?”

“Levin,” Jerica corrected. “And yes. He finds it funny.”