Fifty-Two
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Samkiel
“S he must be dealt with! Face the consequences of her actions!”
Leviathan said, slamming his fist on the marble table, shimmers of
light dancing beneath his skin.
Several other council members, all dressed in sparkling white garbs and silver studded ropes, nodded. “If the Ig’Morruthens have returned, we should have been notified immediately.”
I sat back in my seat at the head of the large table. “You’re notified when I say you’re notified.”
Jiraiya shook his head, his dark hair swinging around his face. “We are your council, god king. The great kings appointed us before your father’s reign, and we will be here long after yours.”
I leaned forward and folded my hands in front of me. “Do you assume that gives you power over me?”
“The council was formed for a reason. It goes against our purpose for you to only tell us what you deem appropriate when you wish it,” Elianna said, her long red hair tied back into a tight ponytail, the end swinging over the high shoulder pads of her robe.
The tall chamber doors quietly opened, and Neverra slipped in ten minutes late. She gave me a slight bow before joining the rest of The Hand, who stood at my back in a semicircle facing the council.
My jaw tightened, and I turned in my seat, following her with narrowed eyes. My annoyance did not stem from her being late. No, it was the smallest scent of cinnamon that followed her into the room that set me on edge. Neverra lowered her gaze, and Cameron’s eyes widened, his superior sense of smell telling him who she had been with.
I’d told her to wait. What if she had scared her off? It was too soon.
Dianna was too fragile right now, violent and vicious, but fragile.
“What Elianna means is we cannot help if we do not know.”
I turned back to the room, remembering why I was there.
“And that’s why we are having this meeting. To go over everything,” I replied.
Leviathan rubbed his brow, age showing on his fingers and face. “Very
well. How many Ig’Morruthens are left?”
“Two.”
Tora continued to transcribe every word, her small hands moving as fast as we spoke. She pushed back her short hair with ink-stained fingers, the blonde strands barely reaching the collar of her garbs.
“Including the girl?” Rolluse asked. It had been so long since I had seen him. I had no idea when he shaved his head, but it aged him far too much.
“The girl is not your or the council’s concern. She’s mine.”
Elianna sighed, throwing up a single hand, and Tora paused in her writing.
“We are well aware how you enjoy others, but this is not the time or place to make such a proclamation,” Elianna spat, a few others nodding their agreement. “She is a threat, not another conquest for you to gloat about.”
The council room exploded in splinters of wood, stone, and glass. The debris floated around us, only the table and chairs remaining. They gasped, their mouths agape and their eyes wide. I sat calmly in the sunlight as the birds in the nearby forest took to the air, screaming their alarm.
The council members sat frozen, their grips tight on the table. The Hand merely looked amused. They knew I posed no real threat, and I’d never hurt them, but the council needed a reminder of their place.
“I can destroy and remake this place faster than the second it takes for you all to breathe. Do not forget who you speak to.”
The council hall came rushing back, the floors, chamber walls, and
ceiling reforming, sealed and whole.
“My apologies, my liege,” Rolluse said.
“Regardless, my liege,” Elianna said. “She is but a beast, no matter what shell she wears. Ig’Morruthens are creatures made to shred and destroy. They are massive, monstrous weapons.”
I felt the crack of thunder behind me as my temper bucked against my control. I took a shuddering breath, seeking my center. Regardless of our uncertain relationship and fight this morning, no one spoke ill of Dianna, or they would regret it.
“Tone, Elianna,” I snarled. She must have read something in my eyes because she swallowed whatever else she might have said. “I was unaware that you all assumed your power and wishes superseded mine in my absence. That you somehow gained the right to dictate to me.”
Thunder pounded the sky like war drums, and the wind howled its fury.
In contrast, my tone remained eerily calm.
“I have ripped vocal cords out of beasts far larger and more vicious than you, Elianna. Watch how you speak. I will not ask again. Your place on the council means very little to me, and you can be replaced. So I suggest you watch your tongue, or I will own it. The old gods are long dead, and Xheor is no longer here to protect you. Choose your words wisely when you address me. All of you. I am still your king.”
I made eye contact with each of them until they lowered their gaze.
Elianna’s lips formed into a thin line, but she said nothing else. She sat back in her seat, the heavy curved back shaking slightly with the force. The storm eased, but rain still pounded the open balcony.
“My liege, regardless of Elianna’s sharp tone, we still worry if she is a threat. If her powers are strong enough to eradicate all those who worked for Kaden and kill a King of Yejedin, even with the help of The Hand, it is too great. Her power may even rival yours, I am afraid,” Tora said, her words softer and kinder.
“She is powerless at the moment. I am unsure if they will return.
Therefore she poses no threat.”
They looked at me as if I’d gone insane.
“Powerless, how?”
“That is yet to be determined. In the simplest terms, she has burned out her power reserves. So yes, regarding her, where she is staying, and what will happen to her, it is not your concern, nor will it ever be. As I stated, she is mine.”
I had debated telling them about her lack of power, a part of me wanting to find out more before revealing that vulnerability. But if it made them drop this line of questioning, then so be it.
The room grew quiet for the first time since the meeting started.
I rested my head on the back of the throne – style chair , watching them file out. It had been hours, and it was time for yet another break. I loathed this part of my job. These meetings could take days or even weeks.
The Hand remained, even Imogen. She’d waved away Jiraiya when he’d whispered of a private visit, thinking none of us noticed. Cameron jested about their tryst, earning himself a slap on the arm from Imogen. I did not care what they did in their free time so long as it did not affect their responsibilities.
“You’re on edge, big guy. You are practically buzzing,” Cameron said.
I kept my eyes closed. “I am not on any edge. I am…” Words failed me.
“Frustrated?” I heard him snicker and could imagine him elbowing Xavier in the ribs at his cleverness.
I merely grunted in response but didn’t deign to answer further.
Frustrated was one word for it. My entire being still burned from her bite. I made sure that mark she’d left on my neck healed before stepping into the council halls. Cameron would have been the first to notice, followed by the council, and I did not feel the need to explain how lust was not at its source.
Xavier cleared his throat. “I think you are the only one who makes Elianna shut up.”
“Careful,” I said, “they are still your superiors.”
“Sorry,” he said, and I heard him sink into a chair.
“But I can speak freely.” I cracked my eyes open. “Were they always such pretentious bastards? Am I that way?”
Xavier’s smile lit his face, his teeth flashing brightly. Cameron and the others burst out laughing. Neverra sat beside Logan, and they both grinned
at me. “No, not of late,” Logan said.
“Good.”
Cameron picked up a piece of paper he had been taking notes on and ripped it into squares. Then he began folding them into tiny triangular shapes. He flicked one of them across the table at Xavier, who batted it away.
“I loved the whole ‘she’s mine’ comment,” Cameron said, launching another triangle at Xavier. “So hot, it even made me hard.”
I shook my head and rubbed my eyes with my thumb and forefinger.
“Please. A warm breeze does that,” Xavier quipped.
They both laughed, and Vincent sighed. He propped one foot against the wall he leaned against, his arms folded. “Are you sure it was smart telling
them about the loss of her powers?”
“Why would it not be?”
Vincent shrugged. “It makes her an easier target.”
Cameron snorted and sent another piece of paper flying across the table.
“Dianna, with or without her powers, does not seem like an easy target.
Besides, you know what it means that he claimed her like that in front of
the council.”
Vincent grumbled and glanced away.
Imogen straightened the papers on the table in front of her and said, “The oldest law. Any place, item, or persons claimed under the ruling king is deemed theirs. Shall one act with malice against the king claims, it will be considered an act of war and punishable by death.”
Xavier whistled and caught another flying triangle Cameron launched at him before tossing it back.
Cameron dodged it, glancing toward Imogen. “See, staying with the council so long makes you speak like them, Immy. You have got to get away from this place.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, and he chuckled.
“There is no threat to her here.” I made sure to enunciate the last part.
“The council, while boisterous, has no power to rival mine. The only other creature that may come close cannot venture onto this plane.”
Vincent pushed from the wall. “So what? She destroys a city or two, takes lives, and then gets a vacation in a castle you’ve rebuilt for her?”
“Hey, she saved Neverra and me.” Logan’s tone made Vincent pause.
Usually, Logan had a little more tolerance for Vincent, but not this time.
Neverra rested her hand on Logan’s, giving it a light squeeze.
“Yeah. We all heard the story. She saved your life after nearly ripping your throat out.”
“She planned to send Neverra back, with or without me there. She is more than just the mindless monster the council would make her,” Logan said.
My brow rose at his vociferous defense of her.
“And I am happy you and Nev are home, Brother. I am, but does her potential for good outweigh the bad? Are we just forgetting about all the destruction she has wrought after one random act of kindness?”
The room went quiet. Even the birds outside ceased their chatter. I folded my hands in front of me and leaned forward.
“Do you have a problem with how I am handling her?”
Vincent’s throat bobbed, his calm demeanor melting away. “The problem is that you wish to give her leniency when she should be locked downstairs with Camilla. She—”
“I am well aware of what she has done, but I did not ask for your counsel on the matter. Nor are you one to judge what I can and cannot do.
What exactly happened under your temporary rule?”
Vincent’s face flushed, and he opened his mouth to respond but stopped, thinking better of whatever he’d been about to say.
“Exactly. I am more than aware of your disdain for her.”
“Disdain?” He barked a small laugh, glancing at the room. “Am I the only one who isn’t under her spell? She practically gutted Cameron and tore through Onuna. I mean, seriously, the list goes on.”
“The circumstances are different. We are not dealing with a creature intent on mere bloodlust and destruction—”
“Seriously?” He cut me off, seemingly unaware he’d done so. “Is it really so good that you are willing to risk everything for her? To make excuse after excuse. Unir would never—”
I was on my feet the second my father’s name left his lips. Sparks of energy danced across my skin, my tattoos flaring to life as the room vibrated. Weariness had left my temper more than frayed, and the last few
weeks had only made it worse.
“Out.”
It was the only thing I could say that wouldn’t ruin the centuries of friendship between us.
Vincent spun on his heel, yanked the council doors open, and stormed away without so much as a second glance back.
“All of you. You are dismissed until the council reconvenes.”
Cameron and Xavier shared a glance and practically ran out of the room. Imogen rose and murmured something about talking to Vincent before hurrying after him. Neverra and Logan rose slowly.
Logan met my gaze. “Vincent is only afraid. That’s why he lashes out.”
“I am aware.”
“Nismera did a number on him. We all know it, and he sees the ghost of Nismera in Dianna. It’s just fear. There is love for you behind his defiance,”
Logan said.
I lowered my head, pressing my fists against the table in front of me. “I just wish to be alone. Please.”
He said nothing more, and they left, the large doors closing behind them. I sank back into my seat, my hand brushing over my face. The silence, for once, calmed my nerves.
“She called for you,” I said, staring straight ahead.
Roccurem solidified, his shadows writhing around him.
“I heard,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back.
My jaw tightened at how casual he sounded as if it were his right. She cursed me and called out for him. It was beyond idiotic to feel so much jealousy, yet my gut twisted with it.
“Calm your nerves, Your Majesty. There is no need for you to be envious. She calls to me for answers she is too afraid to receive from you.”
I tapped my fist against the table, a million and one thoughts running through my head.
“A part of me wants to forbid you from answering her call, but if she has questions and wishes not to speak to me, I want her to have the support she needs. I would never want her alone. Kaden kept her from friends and family for centuries. I would not do the same. If she reaches out, you may answer, but not before.”
Roccurem’s shadows swelled, the swirling mass of energy and nebulae dancing around his feet. “The mortals speak of stages of grief. Anger.”
Images of Onuna on fire flashed through my head.
“Denial, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I am afraid Dianna has only experienced two at the moment. You must be prepared for what’s coming. Her emotions will return. They may flow like the tide, some rushing forward quicker than others, some remaining dormant for a while or forever, but feelings will emerge regardless. You are the only one able to reach her now.”
I scoffed and rubbed my brow. Defeated would be the correct word for how I felt.
“I fear the only emotions she feels in my presence are hate and anger.”
“All that power, yet you still do not see.”
“Regardless of how she feels now, I will not abandon her, no matter how much she loathes me,” I said, my expression grim.
“Loathe would not be the terminology I would use to describe her feelings for you, Your Majesty.”
I scoffed. “You have not seen her with me then. She cannot stand the
sight of me.”
“Not for the reasons you assume.”
“It’s never been like this before. With anyone. Why does she make me feel this way? I want to kill you. I want to hurt those who speak ill of her.
This is not me. I am not that person. Yet your relationship, as platonic as it is, feels like a threat. I couldn’t even stand the thought of Camilla near her because she once cared for her. I almost killed her on Onuna. Do you know what that feels like? To know that I want to reduce anyone that threatens her to mere atoms. Some benevolent ruler I am. Maybe I am just what the stories say.”
“I told you love has power, but I never said it was good.” I glanced at him. He didn’t move even as his form began to fade. “A warning, god king.
Be careful with your displays of affection for her. The council will see it as
a threat.”
“A threat?”
“They do not see her as you always have, but then, few do. She invokes fear in most. It will be a problem, I am afraid.”
“They won’t touch her. No one will.” It was a vow, and I meant every word.
“It is not her I fear for, Your Majesty,” he said and faded from the room, leaving me in quiet contemplation once more.
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