Chapter 25 #2
He surprises me, not for speaking, but for the fact he is apologising to me. I cannot imagine this is something he does often and that is eating him up inside. Apologising to one of his citizens.
Clearing his throat, he continues. “She has not been well for some time, but now I fear she has gone too far and something needs to be done.”
Nausea washes through me, my fears coming to tuition. Although he doesn’t specifically say it, I know what he’s thinking. His wife has become too difficult for him to deal with, causing him too many problems. So, somehow, his wife will disappear.
Is this the true reason why we are meeting alone? He doesn’t want to be overheard discussing plans to discard his wife. He knows I would never tell anyone, as he holds too much over me. Chest tight, I am shaking my head without realising it. I have to say something to make sure this doesn’t happen.
“I don’t want her harmed.” Amazingly, my voice is strong and full of conviction. I am terrified, but I must do the right thing.
The King tilts his head to one side, his gaze becoming shrewd, making me feel like prey under a predator’s gaze.
“You don’t want her harmed?” His emphasis on the words make me realise I’ve said the same thing.
I needed to be strong, but it sounded more like an order, and he is the King.
Kings do not take orders from anyone but the gods.
“You think that you are in a position to tell me what should happen to my wife? Do you think that I take this decision easily? She is my wife!” The atmosphere is heavy in the room, the air practically buzzing with tension.
Jumping up from the desk he stalks toward me, snarling down at me.
“If she had killed you, it would have damned us all!”
I flinch, I can’t help it or hold it back, my trauma making it instincts.
Thankfully I don’t think he noticed and he’s not touched me, stopping just inches away.
He’s a large man and when he’s angry like this, he’s intimidating.
I won’t apologise for feeling fear, but I won’t allow him to push me around.
“Then give her treatment, put her somewhere safe. Please, don’t hurt her.”
His reaction makes me realise that there is something there between him and his wife. I’m not sure if love is the right word, but he has fond feelings toward her that I had not expected to see. Perhaps I can convince him to take my suggestions after all.
Huffing out a long breath, the king’s posture changes and I watch as the aggression and tension melts away, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
Humming, he turns and returns to the desk, leaning against its edge once more.
I am not quite sure what is happening but the rapid changes are making me uneasy.
“You have become close with my son.”
“Yes, your majesty.” I’m confused by the change of topic and despite the fact his words are a statement rather than a question, I feel the need to answer nonetheless.
The king watches me closely but his expression is otherwise blank. “He wants to ask you to marry him.”
The room is suddenly so quiet you could hear a pin drop, yet I cannot have heard him right.
Amir is kind and sweet, and anyone would be lucky to be his wife, but we hardly know each other.
I suppose in nobility that is not an issue, marriages of convenience happen all the time. However, for me, it is a huge deal.
A beautiful lie.
Kits words ring in my mind again. I am not who Amir thinks I am; I am a liar. If he knew the truth he wouldn’t want me to be his wife.
“What did you say?” I am so overwhelmed that I loose all sense of formality, but the king doesn’t seem to mind considering the information he just gave me is lifechanging.
“It would be a good match. You are one of us now,” he comments, nodding toward the golden band on my arm. “I have tried to arrange unions before, but he has rejected all other potential matches. Marriage would keep you tied to us, giving you another reason to keep helping us.”
I don’t miss the subtle reminder of the threat hanging over me.
Comply, or Ella dies. When I look at it from his perspective, I can see why he’s not rejecting the idea.
Rune loves me, at least, that’s what they tell me, and having me marry their prince would create a union the people could get behind.
I am also the only woman in the city who is close in rank to Amir.
On top of that, the king would have another way to control me.
What I don’t understand though, is how he is getting past the issue of my history. Being Sullied has been such a huge part of my life, am I simply to forget that it ever happened? “I am no one, your highness. I came from nothing.”
His brow raises and we share a moment as he realises what is holding back my emotions.
Clearly he was expecting more excitement at the prospect of marrying his son.
“Your magic has changed that.” His understanding softens his expression, only for a second, but I see it.
Clearing his throat, his condescension returns.
“I want you to know that I approve of Amir’s intentions, and I suggest you think carefully on your answer. ”
There is not quite a threat in those words, but a warning I suppose. He wants me to say yes when Amir asks. Oh boy. Amir is going to propose to me? What am I going to say? His behaviour this morning makes more sense now that I know this will have been playing on his mind.
“Now we have that out of the way, I have something to discuss with you.” The king stands and returns to the other side of his desk, sitting down in the high-backed chair and shuffling through the papers on his desk.
I cannot keep up with these men today, their changing moods and conversations are overwhelming me.
Waiting for the king, my mind continues to spin.
The silence stretches between us and he simply continues to look through his papers.
Is he ignoring me? Is this a way to remind me of my place?
Frustration courses through me but I refuse to move.
Clearing my throat loudly, I smile sweetly as he looks up at me with a scowl.
“It is time for you to complete your side of the deal.” His piercing eyes stare right through me and into my soul, challenging me to rebel against his instructions. “We need more magic. We are down to the last ten crystals.”
There are only ten crystals left?! How are they going through them so quickly? I knew this day was going to come, yet I am still not prepared for the uncomfortable feeling in my chest. This lie has gotten out of hand, yet there is no going back.
With a deep breath, I dip my head in agreement. “Of course, I shall do my best.”
“Oh, I know you will.” His tone makes me look up, my heart jumping in my chest. His expression is meaningful and I know he’s once again reminding me what is at stake.
Now he’s given me the information I needed, he’s clearly board of this conversation and waves his hand at me like he’s trying to shoo a fly. “You are dismissed.”
Without waiting another second, I spin on my heels and leave the office. My hurried footsteps are loud as I stumble through the corridors and back to my room.
It’s time to speak to Kit.