Assassin's Return

by Marie Medina

  “Our courtship … didn’t really work out. I think she’s looking for much more in life.”

  Sylvana laughed. “She is young. Wants to wear the latest fashions and go to bigger places. I sort of thought you might help settle her, but guess not.” She shrugged. “I’ll keep an eye out for you. The new blacksmith has a family that will be joining him soon. Think he has a few daughters who are of age.” She pointed a finger at Samuel as she began to move off. “I’ll expect to hear more about this special person before you leave. This is still your hometown, dearie, like it or not.”

  “I love it, and you know I do. It’s a fine place for Jesse to grow up. Why else would I keep coming back?”

  Sylvana paused and looked at them for a long time. “Hmmm. Good question.” And then she moved away.

  Quentin realized Samuel’s arm still embraced him. “Now you’ve done it. The gossip will hit before we get to the other side of the village.”

  “Perhaps I should kiss you here and now, settle it all for good,” Samuel said, actually leaning in.

  But he stopped before he got too close.

  Quentin smiled. “Knew you were only teasing. You wouldn’t—”

  Samuel silenced him with a kiss, the kind of kiss Quentin had been expecting last night.

  Everything around them went silent, or maybe it was just the blood roaring in Quentin’s ears drowning out all other sound. Samuel grinned when he drew back. “Never underestimate me.”

  Quentin blinked at him. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  The butcher’s son, Will, whistled at them, and they looked over. “About time you were true to yourself,” Will said with a smile.

  Quentin blinked yet again and said, “Something I should know?”

  “It was ten years ago. We hardly knew what we were doing.”

  Quentin held his head higher, pretending to be put out. “Mmmm hmm, I see.” He cast his gaze around. “Anyone else I should know about?”

  “Hey, I didn’t sleep with anyone here. You came and woke me up in the middle of the night when you went all the way with Angie.”

  “I thought she was the one. She said she loved me.”

  “She told me she loved me, too.”

  “Yes, I found that out soon enough.”

  “Whatever happened to her?”

  “She turned out to be a vampire’s mate. He doesn’t have his own dominion, but he’s rich enough. She moved away a few years ago.” Quentin looked around at everyone whispering. “Thanks for taking up for me. But you know Sylvana didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “Yeah, but it was a gut reaction. Had to praise you. I saw the look on your face.”

  “Can’t help it. I worry. And I do wonder if I give Jesse everything he needs.”

  “You do. Anyone can see it.” Samuel leaned over and kissed Jesse on the forehead.

  “What do you think they’re all saying?” Quentin asked in a low voice.

  “They’ll get over it.”

  “I mean, because they all think you and Lizzie were lovers,” he said even lower.

  “That’s what I meant. And like I said, they’ll get over it. If you were a girl and looked just like her, then yes, it would be weird. But I don’t care what anyone thinks. Or what anyone says.”

  “Good. It’s still a small village. I’m sure you’re used to more anonymity.”

  “I am, but I don’t mind this at all.” He looked down. “Did I embarrass you?”

  Quentin shook his head. “No. Surprised me, though.”

  “Good surprise?” Samuel asked close to his ear.

  Quentin could feel the heat of Samuel’s gaze. “Yes.”

  “Good. Let’s head over to the market. I’m actually a decent cook, so I wanna make dinner for you two.”

  “You sure?” Quentin asked, shifting Jesse in his arms a bit.

  “Yes. We’ll even light some candles and get some wine.”

  Quentin kept his gaze cast down, though he wasn’t sure why he wanted to hide how pleased he was. “I’d like that.”

  Samuel squeezed him tighter. “Good.”

  Candles and wine? Maybe tonight… Quentin felt a slight panic and focused his gaze ahead as Jesse laughed and pointed at some horses they passed by. Many of the villagers smiled at them, and soon enough, Quentin smiled, too.

  ****

  Samuel knelt on the grass with Quentin and Jesse as they surveyed their hard work. After dinner, Jesse had still been full of energy, so they’d allowed the little boy to drag them back outside. The twin suns hadn’t quite set yet, and they’d spent half an hour constructing a little village out of blocks. Jesse seemed very focused on getting everything where he wanted it and positioned exactly as he wanted it.

  As Jesse continued to stack blocks and move things around, Quentin said, “This usually tuckers him out, even though he’s not really expending a lot of energy. Sometimes he’ll just curl up next to whatever he’s built and go to sleep. I have to wait for him to really be asleep. If I pick him up too soon, he gets kind of cranky.”

  “You never complain, but has it been hard?” Samuel asked, studying Quentin’s face in the fading light.

  “Hard? I guess, but it hasn’t felt that way. I don’t regret it. I’d have helped Lizzie if she’d lived. I’d worry nonstop if Jesse was somewhere else.” Quentin met Samuel’s gaze. “He’s not really yours. You owe us nothing. I think you’ve tricked yourself into thinking you do.”

  “I believe my own lie?”

  “Yes.”

  Samuel watched Jesse a moment before looking back at Quentin. “I disagree.”

  Quentin frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I know he’s not mine. I love him because he’s a part of you. Because I can’t help loving him and wanting to protect him. But my concern is centered on you. Always.”

  “Because of how you feel about me?”

  Samuel simply nodded.

  Quentin focused on Jesse a minute, accepting a block he was handed and dutifully putting it where Jesse pointed. Soon, he said, “Dinner was wonderful. I’d never have guessed you could have a romantic meal with a two-year-old at the table.”

  “I’m glad the food turned out well. And that you thought it was romantic. I worried maybe it was just me.”

  “It wasn’t. No one’s cooked for me since Mom died. Lizzie and I always made dinner together. Cleaned up together. Until near the end of her pregnancy. Then I tried to make her rest.”

  Samuel could hear the wistfulness in Quentin’s voice, see the sadness coming to his eyes. “You miss her, but we never talk about it.”

  Quentin looked puzzled. “Does it matter? I don’t want to be maudlin.”

  “I worry you don’t have anyone to talk to. To depend on.”

  “I write to you. I talk to Jesse. Babies are great listeners. There’s no judgment.” He shifted on the ground, putting his weight on his left side and arm, leaning closer to Samuel. “What about you? Who do you talk to? Who helps you deal with … stuff?”

  “Stuff? You mean my work?”

  Quentin nodded. “I worry about you. Sylvana was right. You’re sweet. Sounds stupid to call a big guy like you sweet, but you are. I worry your work will change you.”

  “Everything we do changes us. Can’t stop that.”

  “But are you all right with it? Really? There are other ways to make money.”

  “I know, but my work isn’t quite what you think. I don’t kill people because the king doesn’t like them or they pissed him off.”

  “Then why do you kill them?”

  “I can’t tell you. Not really. I’m forbidden from telling you names. Or times and places.” He took a deep breath. “I want to quit. You asked me that before, and I didn’t give you a clear answer. Yes, I do want to quit, and yet I don’t.”

  “Can you give me a good reason you want to keep doing it?”

  “I believe I do good.”

  “How can killing people be good?”

  “If someone was trying to
hurt Jesse, wouldn’t you try to kill them?”

  “I’d try to stop them. I wouldn’t be aiming to kill.”

  “But if you had no choice?”

  Quentin sighed. “I don’t know. If someone really wished to hurt Jesse or you, then yes, I probably would. But I don’t see the point in talking about things that will probably never happen. But if we’re together, I want you with me. Here or somewhere else, I don’t care, but I’ll go crazy worrying if you continue being the king’s killer.”

  Samuel flinched. “You’ve never,” he swallowed, his chest tightening, “called me a killer before.”

  Quentin had shifted positions again and now hugged his knees to his chest. “But you are,” he said very softly. “I fear what it’s done to you. What it will do to you.”

  “You won’t be with me if I don’t quit?”

  Quentin pressed his lips together and turned to look at Jesse instead of answering.

  “Last night, I said I wouldn’t answer your question. It’s fair enough you won’t answer mine.”

  “I’m just … confused,” Quentin said, looking back at him. “I’m not saying I won’t be with you if you continue to be an assassin. But thinking of you being in danger gets me all muddled. It’s hard to know what I want.”

  “Then maybe I should help you find some clarity.” Samuel moved closer, giving Quentin plenty of time to move away if he wished. When he stayed put and turned his face up, Samuel took that as encouragement. He gripped the back of Quentin’s head and kissed him. He wanted to pin Quentin to the grass and leave him panting for breath, but that didn’t seem like the right move. Instead, he kept his embrace gentle and sweet. Quentin sighed against his lips and pressed closer, and when they parted, Samuel struggled to find words as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

  But then a voice broke the silence for them. “So, this is Quentin? I see you aren’t wasting time, at least.”

  Samuel recognized that voice. He looked up and saw a man in very plain clothes standing at the gate. The man removed his hat, and his long red hair tumbled around his shoulders. He smiled, the expression almost a smirk, as he was probably proud of having sneaked up on them.

  “Yes, Your Majesty, this is Quentin.” Samuel stood up, helping Quentin rise to his feet. “Quentin, may I introduce you to Jareth, your nosy king?”

  Chapter Three

  Quentin’s mouth fell open. He couldn’t help it. It wasn’t just the fact the king was standing a few feet away. It was the way Samuel spoke to him and looked at him. Quentin kept hold of the hand Samuel had extended to help him up as he tried to remember how to bow properly.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. May I offer you anything?” They still had some wine left, but he certainly didn’t have any bottled blood. His stomach turned a bit at the thought. Giving a vampire blood was supposed to be a very sensual experience, but Quentin didn’t see the appeal at all.

  The king smiled at him. “No, thank you. I stopped at the inn and rested this afternoon. Took care of my needs. Though, I did walk here, and the suns are setting. It would be a help if I could stay here tonight.”

  “Of course. No trouble at all.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he felt Samuel’s grip on his hand tighten. There were only three bedrooms, so it looked like they’d be sharing after all tonight, and Samuel seemed to have realized that as well.

  “You came alone?” Samuel said to Jareth after casting Quentin a glance that confirmed he did realize they’d likely be sharing a bed tonight.

  “Yes,” Jareth said. “Just me and my horse. I left her at the inn. The suns were beating down when I arrived, so she was very tired, but there’s been a nice breeze the last few hours. I thought I’d walk and let her rest. The innkeeper told me it wasn’t far.”

  “Coming so far alone was unwise. You might be in plain clothes, but even in a village this small some people have seen portraits of you.”

  “I can take care of myself, as well you know. I’ve been on my own for a grand total of two days. The kingdom doesn’t seem to be crumbling.”

  “That doesn’t mean you should travel unescorted.”

  Jareth smiled. “Are you volunteering to escort me back?” His eyes cut to Quentin briefly.

  Samuel hesitated before he said, “No.”

  “Then stop objecting to my actions,” Jareth said. He glanced down at Jesse, who was holding a block up to him. He took it and leaned down. “Thank you. Does this mean I can come in and play?”

  Quentin cleared his throat and then went to move Jesse away from the gate and out of the way. “Of course. Please come in, Your Majesty.” He prayed he didn’t sound as tense and nervous as he was. He almost envied Jesse’s innocence. The little boy saw someone new to play with, not the most powerful vampire in the kingdom.

  Jareth smiled and entered the yard, securing the fence behind him. “Thank you. And you may call me Jareth, if you like. You are very dear to one of my favorite people.”

  “That might be hard for me to do,” Quentin said, trying to be honest.

  “You can call me whatever you like. I just wanted you to know you could use my name.” He knelt and said, “And you must be Jesse. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Jesse wasted no time in tugging on Jareth’s sleeve and leading him over to the blocks.

  “Quite a town you’ve built,” he said to Jesse. “Now, where does this one go?” He held up the block Jesse had given him moments earlier.

  Jesse pointed right away, and soon he had the king hard at work. Quentin looked to Samuel, wondering what to do. The king seemed quite content, so he wasn’t sure what the etiquette was.

  Soon, though, Jareth smiled up at Samuel. “I’m fine if you two have other things to attend to.”

  Samuel took Quentin by the arm. “Perhaps just for a few moments. It’s almost Jesse’s bedtime.” He drew Quentin along into the house. “We’ll ready the guestroom and be right back.”

  Once they were safely inside and in the third bedroom with the door closed, Quentin turned to Samuel and asked, “Why is he here? Is it bad? Are you in trouble?”

  “I have an idea why he’s here, but I can’t be completely sure.” He took Quentin by the shoulders. “Don’t be afraid. None of that was an act. He’s not angry. I can see that clearly. And he adores children. He and Julianna have never had any. I don’t have enough fingers to count his flaws, but he is not here to do either of us any harm.”

  “How do you know that?” Quentin asked, wanting to be reassured but still feeling uncertain. He drew closer and rested his hands on Samuel’s chest, feeling better instantly.

  “I’ve known him for six years. He’s complicated, but he isn’t here to punish me. I can tell by his eyes.”

  Vampires had white irises, and the color changed according to mood. The colors varied between individuals, and only two colors meant the same thing for every vampire. Red indicated a need for blood or intense anger, and black indicated sexual desire. Quentin frowned as he looked up at Samuel. “But I didn’t notice a color change. His eyes looked white to me.”

  “I have learned what moods different colors indicate with him, but that’s not what I was talking about. I meant I could read the look in his eyes, the way I would with anyone who wasn’t a vampire.”

  “Oh.” Quentin licked his lips. “And nothing ever happened between you? He called you one of his favorite people.”

  “He’s never done more than put his arm around me. I promise. We’re friends. We genuinely like each other, though we do bicker a bit. Like siblings.”

  “So, he’s either here to let you go or to try to get you to come back.”

  “I do have a contract with him. I promised him ten years. I still owe him four.” Samuel shrugged. “He may wish to talk about that.”

  Quentin shifted in Samuel’s arm, pulling back until he’d broken the contact. He went to look out the window. “Can he tell I’m scared of him?” The smiling man crawling around on the ground and following a t
oddler’s orders certainly didn’t look scary now, but Quentin still felt uneasy.

  “You weren’t acting scared.”

  “I am, though.” Quentin hugged himself. “I don’t want you to go back with him.”

  Samuel came up behind him and pressed close. “Because it would mean I’m still his killer, or because you want me here with you?”

  “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings by calling you that. It wasn’t fair.” Though the words didn’t seem good enough, he said, “I’m sorry.”

  “There’s no need for an apology. I understand. I wasn’t trying to be an asshole by bringing it up, but we are going to have to deal with it. It’s what I do, like it or not.”

  “You’re not an asshole.” Quentin recrossed his arms. “I don’t want you to go back because I want you with me. With us.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, but you need to think about the possibility of coming with me. I can’t make Jareth release me.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you all right with us sharing your bed? I’ll sleep on the floor if you like.”

  Quentin turned and looked up at him. “It’s fine, but I am nervous.”

  “Nervous? Because you’ve never been with a man?”

  “Yes. But … it’s more than that. It’s because it’s you. It’s a big step. Everything will change.”

  “We’ll go at your pace.”

  “My pace?” Quentin laughed. “I haven’t had sex since Lizzie told me she was pregnant. I focused on caring for her, and then on Jesse. I was courting Rose, but there was no spark there.”

  A slow grin spread over Samuel’s face. “You saying you’re so horny and desperate you’d even sleep with me?”

  Quentin licked his lower lip, fighting a smile. “Don’t put words in my mouth. You know how good looking you are.”

  “Do I?”

  Quentin rolled his eyes. But then, he sobered and said, “I already love you so much. Seems like it’s only another step or two to being in love with you. And sex will probably take care of those steps. Eventually.”