Page 41 of The King's Weapon

"Of course." Fynn pressed his palms into the table and stood up.

Menz sat the pot in the center of the table. Not a minute later Fynn waltzed back in carrying six bowls and began handing them out one by one. When he reached Kallie, he patted her on the head as though she was a dog rather than their captive. She immediately swiveled her head around and glared up at him with heat in her eyes.

An amused smile was splayed across Fynn’s face as he held up his hand as if feigning innocence. Then he continued placing the remaining bowls in front of Graeson and the empty seat for Menz.

"Oh, leave the poor girl alone, Fynnereas,” the farmer’s light voice sounded from beside her as he reached over her. Menz dropped two spoonfuls of stew into her bowl.

"It's fine, Menz." Kallie rolled her shoulders back. "I'm sure Fynn doesn't get a lot of female attention."

Menz nearly dropped the stew-filled spoon on Graeson's lap. On the other side of the table, Terin coughed.

"Oh, this is going to be fun," Dani said, pulling a faint chuckle from Graeson.

Kallie's head swiveled on her shoulders as she sneered at Dani, "And what isthatsupposed to mean?"

With a half-hearted shrug, Dani said, "Don't worry about it, Princess."

Kallie narrowed her eyes at the smug woman. But the smell of the stew wafting toward her made her stomach grumble. She snatched the spoon with her hand and awkwardly took a bite.

"Oh, come on," Menz groaned. "Why is she still tied up? Where is she going to go?"

Kallie knew they didn't trust her. Why would they? She was their hostage. She was lucky the rope around her wrists was her only restraint. She supposed they needed to keep her in somewhat decent shape though. Lest King Domitius find out and kill them all—though he would do that no matter what.

During the ride to the farmhouse, she hadn't had many opportunities to escape. If she ran, they would catch her. And if they didn’t, someone else—or something—would have. Menz was right, she couldn't do much harm at the table. Not when it was five against one. They could at least allow her wrists to heal from the rope burn that was beginning to irritate her skin. And she wouldn't mind being able to eat her stew like a normal, civilized human being either.

Kallie said with her eyes locked on Graeson, "I'm sureGrayover here could just feed me instead." Kallie smirked. "After all, he does have a problem keeping his hands off of me."

Graeson choked on a chunk of potato and pounded his fist against his chest as he regained his breath.

Terin added with a shrug, "She hasn't tried to leave since that first night."

"And if she does, it won't be hard to find her." Dani looked her up and down, grinning. "She doesn't run that fast."

Kallie glared at Dani. One of the reasons she did not escape that first night was that she had Myra with her. They underestimated her, but Kallie would use that to her advantage. They knew nothing.

Fynn looked at her, assessing her. Then he nodded to Graeson.

"Fine, but do not blame me if she tries something stupid again," Graeson said.

Kallie thrust her bounded hands in front of her, eager to be rid of the wretched rope. Graeson stood from his chair and grabbed her hands.

Bending low, his lips close to her ear, he whispered, "They might trust you, but make no mistake, I do not."

Smirking, she looked him up and down, their faces only inches apart. "Good."

Grabbing her hands, he cut the rope. He raised it, eyeing the frayed edges where she had sawed the rope days ago. He glared at her, shaking his head. "Wherever you go, Princess, I will follow. Do not forget it or else you will regret it."

“Is that a promise?" Kallie asked, looking at him through her eyelashes.

He glared at her and bit out, “You can bet on it, little mouse.”

Kallie shrugged, returning her attention to the stew, which was no longer scorching hot. She began scarfing it down, and with each bite, she could feel her energy returning to her. Tonight, she would be ready.

When she, at last, returned her gaze to the table, she shoved a large spoonful into her mouth. As she swallowed, she found Graeson staring at her, his jaw agape.

Kallie swallowed, then asked, "What?"

When he didn’t respond, she wiped her chin with the back of her hand, thinking broth had dribbled down her face. But when her hand came back clean, she narrowed her eyes at Graeson who was still staring at her. “What?” She snapped again.

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