A Crown for Assassins. Морган Райс

saluting you, my lord?” Kate replied with a grin.

      Lord Cranston looked at her in something like shock. “What exactly are you saying, Kate?”

      “That someone must make sure that the kingdom is safe,” Kate said. “And I don’t trust anyone to make sure that the army stays on Sebastian’s side more than you.”

      “Even though I am variously old, mercenary, drunken, capricious, and inclined to switch sides?” Lord Cranston said. Kate guessed that he wasn’t entirely joking.

      “You have never gone back on your word that I know of,” she said. “As for the rest of it… well, I wouldn’t want you any other way. The army is in your charge, my lord.”

      “And when I decide that our neighbors pay better?” Lord Cranston said.

      “Then you’ll back Sebastian anyway,” Kate replied. She held out her hand. “Pretend all you want, but we both know you’d rather die than go back on your honor.”