Chapter 34
By the time Milo’s interview had ended, a manifestation of my making had flown through the psychic plane to reach him.
Of course I couldn’t simply wait for his return.
Well, it certainly didn’t help that I anxiously worried he’d injure himself again.
But in truth, I was clingy, so my subconscious magic had to assuage my concerns by stretching across state lines until it reached Milo in New York.
Milo and Gladiatrix exited the studio and leisurely walked through the busy streets.
While the pair should’ve simply basked in their accomplishments, taken a minute to really enjoy themselves, they spent the time brainstorming potential changes to the Global Guild, ways to improve it for everyone, to expand the initiatives meant to help people.
Somewhere along the way, they found themselves in Times Square. The bustle alone was enough to put my mind on the fritz, but the added attention their presence brought only made it worse.
Suddenly, Milo’s late flight made even more sense.
He’d scheduled a casual PR meet and greet out in the wild.
It seemed mostly tourists stopped and gawked at Milo and Gladiatrix, but a few locals also stood in the makeshift line that formed.
Everyone wanted autographs, selfies, and a chance to ask their absolute most pressing questions.
As the crowd thinned, Milo and Gladiatrix said their farewells and continued exploring. The rumbles of a hungry belly guided Milo’s steps, leading the way.
“You two are quite the sensation,” a familiar voice called out.
The British accent sent a wave of enticement coursing through Gladiatrix. As she turned to greet King Liberty, she tried her best to hide her joy and shock at his surprise visit. Milo, on the other hand, did a poor job pretending to be stunned by the arrival.
“What are you doing here?” Milo asked, flabbergasted.
“Did you tell him we’d be here?” Gladiatrix squinted at Milo.
“What? Me? Why would I do that?”
“Because your heartbeat says you knew he’d show up.”
“My heart is a notorious liar,” Milo said, making a crossing gesture. “I swear, I didn’t have a part in this.”
“He didn’t,” King Liberty confirmed. “Though, I would be curious how you may have become aware.”
“Damn clairvoyants.” Milo shrugged playfully. “I know, I know. You’re telling yourself you have the best cloaking wards in the world. That’s what they all say. I still usually glimpse a possibility here or there or anywhere.”
“Fascinating.” King Liberty nodded politely, making his way toward Gladiatrix. “I was hoping to have a word.”
“About?”
“About us.”
“We already had this discussion.”
“And you made it quite clear that a secret relationship wasn’t what you wanted.” King Liberty reached for a clip on his mask, one of the fasteners that held it in place during combat. “I couldn’t agree more with such sentiment.”
“What?” Gladiatrix reached out, stopping King Liberty’s hand mid-motion. “What are you doing?”
“Revealing myself.” He eyed the busy crowds of people making their way up and down the streets, the large screens broadcasting commercials and news.
“Not here,” Gladiatrix protested. “Not now. Not for…”
The word got stuck in her throat. Me. She didn’t see herself as worthy enough for King Liberty to reveal his identity, to subsequently end his career.
“You would never be able to cast again, not professionally, not the way you work to help others,” she continued. “It’d be over for you. Hell, you might even face sanctions.”
“I was a law-abiding vigilante—no worries for penalty there.”
“Yeah, they say that, but that’s because none of y’all reveal yourselves,” Gladiatrix retorted.
“Some reveal their identities,” Milo added, revealing his obvious eavesdropping and his eagerness to know who was under the mask. “Granted, most of them had already retired and were one foot in the grave, but still. I really don’t think the Crown will retaliate.”
“Oh, they most definitely will,” King Liberty said with a chuckle. “But I was thinking of becoming a professional caster over here. What are they called again? Enchanters.”
“That is a big move,” Gladiatrix replied. “Too big.”
“No such thing.” King Liberty smirked. “Besides, it’s already a done deal. I already found the next King Liberty.”
“What?”
“I’m handing over the title,” King Liberty declared, slowly lifting his mask off his face. “Giving up the mantle, the mask, and the masquerade.”
Milo’s eyes bulged at the sudden reveal of King Liberty, who now stood unmasked in front of Gladiatrix.
“Alicia, I’ve never met a woman who makes me so happy.” He removed the top hat next, revealing his ruffled black hair as a glamour washed away the chestnut illusion he kept. “It’s time for another to carry the torch of this title.”
“Are you certain?” she asked, lip trembling, and pulse pounding as she awaited the answer.
“Yes, absolutely.” King Liberty smiled. “I’ve never been so certain of anything in my life.”
“I fucking knew it,” Milo blurted, ruining the moment as he levitated like some child lacking control of his roots.
In this moment, he did lose control, floating in the giddy realization that King Liberty was none other than the second son of the royal family, Henrik.
“There’s a thousand theories surrounding King Liberty, most of which suspect that the third son or that Duke from what’s-it-ma-called,” Milo continued. “But I always knew Prince Henrik seemed suss.”
“How astute.” Henrik nodded.
“You have no idea,” Milo said, ready to divulge his every potential theory.
The biggest being how Henrik likely possessed two branches to throw off suspicion. The public branch he used was a primal magic, controlling ice, but King Liberty only ever utilized his powerful warding barrier magics.
Now that Henrik had removed his mask and top hat, the protective sigils blocking his thoughts fell away too.
His guard also dropped while in the company of Gladiatrix, making it easy for me to discover the truth.
Henrik didn’t possess two branches. He only ever had one, but he used secret enchantments to show off the ice magic.
According to his surface thoughts, his family believed he was born branchless, and creating discreet enchantments for him was a way for them to hide that fact from the public.
I scoffed. Of course, they wouldn’t want to announce a royal branchless child.
Bad for their image. Kudos to him for hiding his real branch from his family, associates, security, and literally the entire nosy world.
Though I couldn’t help but wonder how the royal family image would look with him stepping out from the shadows, announcing himself publicly, and dating an American trans woman.
“You know,” Milo continued. “I actually have a few ques—”
“Later.” Gladiatrix flicked her fingers, hurling Milo through the air with a delicate wave of telekinesis, carrying him across the street. “I’d like to speak with just you.”
“As would I, love.” Henrik smiled.
Prince Henrik stepped closer, removing the gap between him and Gladiatrix. Her body trembled, thoughts flashing with images of their last intimate encounter. The memories moved by so quickly, I didn’t have time to block them but also didn’t glimpse much in the sudden flutter.
The only thing that I clung to from those memories was the fact that Gladiatrix had seen King Liberty without his mask those nights together.
She’d experienced the pleasure of Henrik’s company.
The man behind the mask, the man without the royal title.
She loved talking with him without the secret identity or air of royal pretense.
Still, she never believed she’d experience such a thing outside the darkness of a bedroom.
Henrik leaned in, his lips almost brushing against hers.
“Wait.” Gladiatrix surveyed the street, finding a mostly unaware public but spotting a few reporters lurking nearby. “Are you sure about this? It’s a big statement. One you can’t take back.”
“Let them enjoy the show, love.” Henrik kissed Gladiatrix. Their lust oozed through the air, mixing with my psychic energy and giving me a tiny taste of the passion they held for one another.
Reporters snapped photos from across the street, landing the scoop of the century no doubt.
England’s second son, a royal rockstar of impish behavior, was actually none other than the most infamous masked witch in the United Kingdom.
Not only that, but he was making out with America’s number one enchanter, Gladiatrix.