Chapter 26 THE SOCIAL SPHERE #2
“I see you have been told a version of events.”
“Let’s just say that I trust the source of my information over your word,” I assured him, and Castor’s brows rose.
“So Sofia told you then. How interesting,” he mused, still completely unruffled, and it was infuriating.
“Why? Because she spent decades trying to distance herself from you?”
“Is that what she told you?” he snorted, but the sip he took of his drink seemed more rushed.
“You had her father killed! I hardly blame—”
“He was going to get them killed!” Castor interrupted, showing another rare glimpse of emotion as he turned to glare down at me.
“The things he was a part of and the people he was involved with? Despoina would not listen, and when she fled with him against my wishes, all I could do was sever her ties to those people. Before his criminal activity would have gotten them all killed.”
“Sofia said all he wanted was equality for Ktínos and Imítheos. And that is criminal to you?” I demanded.
“It is when he and those he was involved with were all prepared to make this kingdom bleed for it,” he growled. “And where would a war like that have left my highborn daughter and her half-blooded child?”
My jaw slackened on my retort at his last words.
Half-blooded. Half-blooded.
“Her father was Ktínos,” I realized aloud. Sofia lied.
“What my granddaughter did not bother to explain was that Michail was a figurehead in an underground rebel movement in the Rookery. The Ktínos might never have revolted violently, but they have certainly come close!” Castor insisted when I frowned.
As if he knew that I was remembering when Riordan told Nikos that the Ktínos had always been nonviolent.
“I believe Michail did love my daughter, and she was certainly in love with him. And perhaps in another world, in another time, I might have been convinced to give my blessing to their union,” Castor continued more levelly.
“But the idealistic ilíthios wanted to make their love into some grand statement about how people overcome hatred. And he was willing to risk making my daughter and their child into targets for Ktínos and Imítheos zealots alike.”
Castor shook his head, furious as he glowered at some poor fool who happened to stare at him too long.
“They were attacked once. Once. And I knew I had to step in or risk losing them both. While I appreciated what he wanted to accomplish, it would not be at the expense of my family,” Castor stated firmly.
I was speechless. Completely and utterly speechless.
“And now I suppose you also know why I do not trust your king. Riordan reminds me too much of Michail,” Castor sighed. “Idealistic and forceful.”
“And yet you wanted your other daughter with him?”
“When he was young and before he revealed himself to be so much like Michail. But… You are stronger and more measured than either of my daughters. My sincere hope is that the two of you will find a balance that will bring about the change you want to see without the need for senseless violence,” Castor admitted.
“Is that why you take such interest in me?” I asked.
“It is. Believe me if you wish, but my primary concern will always be the kingdom. I also want a better world for everyone, but I am simply not prepared to put my family on the chopping block for it.”
I was quiet as I tried to absorb the massive deluge of information that he had suddenly dumped on me. It was uncharacteristic of him to be transparent; the man seemed to thrive on vague warnings and veiled insults. So there was still a possibility he was trying to manipulate me.
But… I could not shake a nagging sense that he was telling me the truth.
“Why did you lie to Sofia about him? You said that he assaulted her mother,” I recalled.
“I said he ruined and brutalized her. And that is true,” Castor insisted. “Her heart and mind were never the same after he was killed and their bond was severed. I had not even known at the time that Ktínos were able to bond like that or I might not have…”
Castor trailed off with a sigh and finished his drink just as I caught sight of Sofia who was guiding Riordan and Orion toward us through the crowd. The looks on all of their faces when they saw Castor next to me might have been comical if I were not about to be questioned.
“I believe that is my cue,” said Castor as he turned to bow to me. Then he made a hasty departure before they could reach my position.
“Amira,” Riordan greeted me, his voice reserved as he bent to kiss my forehead and then glanced up at Ares with narrowed eyes. “What did Castor want?”
“What he usually wants. Updates on the Rookery.”
I cut a quick glance to Sofia so she would understand the significance of that statement and saw her shift on her feet with discomfort.
“Is that so?” Riordan asked, but his eyes were still on Ares standing ramrod straight just behind me. It occurred to me that he had probably overheard the entire exchange, but he was doing his best not to betray it.
“Did you decide what to do about Mionlach?” I asked, looking at Orion who was also staring at me curiously.
“We did. I can fill you in later,” Riordan offered as he turned to look at the room with a sigh of resignation.
“Shall I bring another guest?” Sofia asked us.
“I suppose,” Riordan agreed with a determined nod that made him look like he was preparing to go into battle rather than engage with the other nobles.
“Will we have time to dance?” I asked Sofia before she could go. I had worked hard since the coronation to learn to dance and was eager to show off.
“Of course,” Sofia assured me, her eyes distant as she appeared to make some mental calculations. “If you will allow me to bring a couple of people to meet the king, then you will be free to do as you wish!”
Are you going to tell me the truth of your developing association with Castor? Riordan asked through our bond once he finally got me alone on the dance floor.
I had expected this question and was prepared for it.
I would love to, I reassured him, my arms clenching around his neck as I brought my face closer to his chest so I did not have to hide my expression. But you dislike him so much I am afraid you will be biased about it.
“Biased?” he repeated in confusion.
I cannot explain it but… I just have this feeling.
What feeling is that? Riordan prompted me with a hint of amusement in his mental tone.
You can laugh, but it is the exact same intuition that told me not to use my magic during the battle at Erétria! That saved my life, and the whole city, so I think I would like to keep listening to it! I defended myself.
Riordan was quiet for a moment while we continued to dance smoothly around the room.
“I wonder…” he mused, trailing off.
“Yes?”
Ktínos have… intuitive senses. Perhaps you are now developing the instincts of your other mate, he suggested with a kiss on my neck that made me shiver in delight.
“You think?” I blurted aloud.
It is quite possible. Orion has instincts that can make me question my perception of reality. And he often knows intuitively who he can trust, he admitted with reluctance, clearly still not in favour of Castor being that person.
I was quiet for a moment as I contemplated how much to tell him. Do you know of a Ktínos called Michail?
Riordan grunted with interest and nodded.
A radical some time ago who was trying to rouse the Ktínos into active revolt.
My understanding is that he did not want violence, but the way he was going about things was threatening to instigate it.
He and his conspirators disappeared before they could become violent.
That was the closest our people ever came to civil war. Why?
So do you think that maybe it was not a bad thing that he was… killed? I hedged, chewing on my lip.
Had he managed to rouse the Ktínos into open revolt, then it would have been a bloodbath.
The Imítheos would have slaughtered them, which only would have worsened relations between the two peoples.
It will take someone in power to force the necessary changes when the Imítheos are magically privileged over the Ktínos, Riordan said.
So then you believe that a civil war would likely yield an Imítheos victory? I guessed.
I shudder to think of such circumstances; it would be catastrophic for our people. But yes, Riordan admitted reluctantly with a glance toward the Ktínos in the room. Where are these questions coming from?
Castor is the one who killed Michail and then quietly quashed his rebellion.
“He… What?” Riordan gasped aloud.
He could foresee the consequences you just detailed. But it was also personal for him. Michail had mated with Castor’s daughter and was using her as a statement.
Riordan nearly stumbled over his feet, but he managed to right himself before making a scene in the middle of the dance floor.
I am telling you all of this because I believe he does have a genuine interest in protecting this kingdom. If he wanted to hurt the Ktínos, then Michail’s revolt would have given him a perfect opportunity, I pointed out.
Nikos did say that Castor told him not to abandon the quadrant outposts, Riordan acknowledged. I thought it was just a clever bit of deception because the two of them were actually working together but…
Riordan’s thoughts trailed off and were quiet for some time as the dance ended, and we began another waltz.
If you think he truly has genuine desire to be an ally, then would you ask him to put those spies to use finding my father for me? If he can accomplish that, then I would reconsider him as an ally, my mate finally relented.
I squeezed his arm in appreciation of his concession and trust in my intuitions. Which reminded me of another thing I was supposed to ask him about.
“Oh… Um… Another thing,” I squeaked aloud.
“Yes?” he chuckled, hands sweeping up my back with an affection that made my heart feel full and warm.
I want to go see Hypatia, I advised him.
“Why would you want to see her?” he asked.
“Let’s just say… intuition?”
Riordan grunted with suspicion as he leaned back and frowned down at me, but he nodded.
“I will not have time until—”
“I can go myself,” I assured him, batting my eyes at him when he looked uncertain. His internal debate was a little longer this time as he considered my request.
“You will take Orion with you.”
“Okay!” I swore, ready to agree to almost anything.
“And Helena. And Ares. And Sofia.”
“Sofia?” I repeated in confusion.
“I want an accomplished Imítheos mágos with you,” Riordan explained, and I nodded. I kept it to myself that she was not just an Imítheos because it was sensitive and private information. I would tell him eventually of course, but it only seemed fair to talk to Sofia about it first.
“Agreed! We’ll go tomorrow,” I told him.