Page 66 of The Dragon King's Assassin

“Did you say corpse?” Tarocvar asked.

Ren, who was already standing, hackles raised, started to growl.

“Quiet, Ren,” Taroc said, and she sat down.

“We found the Argaiv assassin on the way back, Your Majesty,” I said, waving Uso into the room. “Or, rather, he found us. He attacked us, and Daha killed him.” I pulled Uso's cloak open so they could see the wounds in his chest. “I wanted to bring him in for questioning, so Daha reanimated him.”

“This is your work?” Prince Racmar had found his voice at last. He stood up and inspected the corpse, but came to a stop beside Daha.

“Yes. The corpse was fresh; it was an easy enough task.”

Prince Racmar's stare slid to the necromancer and glided over him. “Did Locrian explain the situation to you?”

“Yes.”

“And? Can you help us?”

“I'm nearly certain that I can determine why the dead are rising, but until I've done that, I won't know if I can stop it. The most I can promise is that if I can't, I will at least be able to advise you on what or who can.”

The Prince grunted. “And you know I'm from Zaru? That you will have to leave the kingdom with me?”

“Yes. I'll need to pack, but I can be ready by dawn.”

The Prince looked over the necromancer once more. As he did, Daha flung open his cloak and turned in a circle.

“What are you doing?” the Prince asked.

“Making it easier for you to find whatever it is you're looking for,” Daha said.

Taroc laughed boisterously. “I can tell he's a friend of yours.”

“Yes, your Lock and I go way back, Your Majesty,” Daha said.

The King's smile faded.

Fuck. I knew exactly how the King had interpreted that statement. I shook my head at him to try to tell him it wasn't what he thought, but he only glared at me. Fuck, shit, damn!

“I admit that I'm not comfortable with your race,” the Prince said to Daha. “But I'm willing to give you a chance.”

“I will need a little more than that, Your Highness.”

“What does that mean?”

“If I'm to go with you to another kingdom, far from my home and clan, I need to know that I have at least one person on my side.”

“Are you asking me to be your friend or bodyguard?” Prince Racmar smirked.

“Neither. I don't need your friendship or physical protection. I can kill if I have to.” He waved a hand at the Argaiv. “But you're not hiring me to kill. You want my skills with the already-dead, and for that, I expect to be well compensated and welcomed. To be given all the access I request and any help I should need. I will not suffer scorn from you or your people, not even your king. I want your vow that I will be treated with respect and that if I'm not, you will rectify the mistake personally.”

“Understood. And you have my word,” the Prince said. “I will personally see to it that no one disrespects you without consequences, not even the King himself. And, believe me, we will do everything we can to assist you. Whatever you need, you will have it. Is that acceptable?”

“It is, Your Highness. When would you like to leave?”

“You said you can be ready by morning; we will leave then.”

“I will meet you at the palace gates at 8 a.m.” Daha waved Uso forward. “Now, Your Majesty, please ask your questions so I may put this man's spirit to rest.”

“Who hired you?” the King got right to it.

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