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Due to his honor of protecting those in Vakeeli, he can’t be as ruthless as he desires or he’ll be stripped of his powers, and the thought of it makes me want to laugh in his face.
Calista rounds a corner, entering a large room with an intricately designed ceiling. Sharp icicles run up the black columns, threaded with twinkling lights and silver flowers. A table that can seat at least twenty people is in the middle, an iron chandelier with dagger-like jewels glinting above. A decanter of wine, a tray of fruit, and a roasted lump of meat (boar, most likely) is on the table. Calista points a hand in the direction of the fireplace and a large flame appears, instantly warming the room.
“Please, sit,” she insists, already taking the throne-like chair at one end of the table. Her brothers sit on either side of her, and Killian and I take several seats down.
With a snap of her fingers, three servants dressed in silver with scarves covering their hair appear.
“Wine,” Calista commands, and they hurry to the table, pouring wine into each crystal. One of them, a girl who can’t be any older than fifteen, sets a glass in front of me then bows. She takes off, rounding a corner with the others.
“We have an idea of what caused your attack on Rami,” Calista starts, diving right into it.
“Myattack?” I shake my head. She’s fucking with me, I know it. “He started it. I just finished it.”
“You defied the rules,” Vassilis snarls. Love of Vakeeli, I would really love to punch him in the fucking face, just once to make him stop all that unnecessary snarling and growling.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, Rami attacked me while I was seeing a Mythic, took two people from my clan, made them fight in his bloody caves, and then assaulted someone I was meant to protect.”
“You mean your mate,” Calista says, smiling and I expected one of them to bring Willow up, but hearing her say it with that vicious smirk doesn’t calm my nerves. I clench a fist on the table, and Killian adjusts in his chair. I eye him, and there’s a warning in his eyes–one we pass to each other often when dealing with others.Remain calm.Don’t let them get a reaction out of you.
“I’ve just discovered she’s my mate, yes,” I state.
“And you killed another Monarch because he was about to assault her?” Arie asks.
“He would have raped her.”
Arie looks at Calista, and then Vassilis. “Can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same–not that I know what it’s like having a mate. But if I did, I’d do what I have to do to honor and protect her. I personally think Rami crossed the line there.”
This is why I like Arie most. Though naive at times, he thinks sensibly and with understanding.
“Despite what Rami has done, he was still Ripple Hills’ appointed Monarch,” Calista goes on. “And now that territory is up in metaphorical flames because he is dead.”
“You knew the law of killing a Monarch. It’s a cause fordeath,” Vassilis adds with snark. “You’ve been trouble sincebecoming a monarch yourself. Tell us why we shouldn’t kill you right here, right now.”
“Because you need me.”
Vassilis scoffs, glancing at Calista, who watches me carefully, eyes narrowed, her head in a slight tilt.
“You are very wise, Monarch Harlow. I can appreciate that. As you stated before, Rami was becoming a nuisance. You are not the first territory he’s tried inciting wars with.” She sighs, then sips her wine, as if bored. “But we cannot let what happened go unpunished. Many of the Rippies saw you and your clan in his club, and they’re angry. They’re ready to start their own war—create an act of vengeance for their fallen monarch.”
“I understand.” I sit forward, pushing my wine glass away from me and folding my hands on the table. Calista’s eyes flicker to my glass before lifting back up again to mine. “So, what will the punishment be?”
She leans back in her chair, bringing her glass to her crimson lips again. “There is a boy of Rami’s. He’s next in line to become Monarch there and now that Rami is dead, he’ll be sworn in within a year.” She swirls her wine. “We don’t want another Rami taking over Ripple Hills. We’d prefer to keep the peace, and though you can be a pain in the ass yourself, well…you’re a better alternative than Rami or any Rippie and the boy will need proper guidance.”
I frown. “You want me to guide Rami’s son?”
“We want you to train him, look after him, show him the ropes of being a monarch. Someone will have to be in charge there. He’ll need to plant his roots, get things in order. Consider this an opportunity for you to create a treaty with them.”
Killian shifts in his chair, grunting. I know what he’s thinking. A treaty with the Rippies is impossible. It’s never been done.
“And as we all know,” Arie chips in, “Rippies love rubies. They’ll doanythingfor them. To ease their concerns and kill those metaphorical fires my sister speaks of, you will give reparations to their guards. We’re thinking about five million rubies. That should be enough to pay them all off and shut them up. And if it isn’t, we will see to it ourselves that they have more reason to hate Rami than to grieve for him.”
“Five million rubies?” Killian blurts. “Are you out of your fucking minds? Our men will have to mine for those rubies day and night. Some of them may even die in the ruby caves.”
Calista shrugs as her wine magically refills. “A small price to pay for the murder of a king.”
“Rami was far from a king,” I grumble.
“You’re right. He was a piece of shit, scum on our shoe. Listen, this will be done. There is no negotiating it. You’ll look after the boy, take him under your broken wings, and you’ll pay the Rippies, so everyone forgets Rami and all of the mess it’s created.”
