Page 11 of The Rat King
“Richard can wait, what I’m doing is far more important than flexing my power, Nighval. I have a curse to break, and since my bride has learned of it, she’s made quite the effort to get to know her future husband.” Xavier grinned as he reclined back in his burgundy leather chair as if the words alone were enough to prove his point.
They were enough to get on my nerves. This was how nearly every conversation with him went. I’d point out something that needed to be dealt with, but he’d find some way to spin the conversation and let me know he disapproved of my ways. It was ridiculous. I never flexed my power without reason, and I’d been a far better king in all aspects but the one.
The fact that he did seem to be making progress with the witch grated on me more than any snide remark ever could because her defiant tone that day in the library gave me the impression that what he said was true. She seemed like the type of woman who’d put her best effort into a task, despite the futility of it, just to say she’d given it her all.
“Just let me execute him and be done with it. The man is incapable of reform. It’s come to my attention his law-flaunting sentiment is leaching out from Belfield and affecting his neighbors,” I said, letting my tone speak for itself.
Musson was a problem. He’d always been, but now that my brother was in charge, he’d grown bolder. I’d reviewed the ledgers. The last time he paid his taxes was when I was still king. Two of his neighbors were now delinquent and the rumor was he was finding other more barbaric ways to flaunt the law. Best to eliminate him. But Xavier failed to learn, and problems were already beginning to arise due to his lackadaisical leadership style.
My dislike for my brother rose to new heights as the click of heals pacing into the room drew my attention. I stepped aside so the witch could approach Xavier, who casually flipped over the paper containing his vows.
“Good afternoon, Your Majesty, Nighval.” Her wide-eyed expression told me she’d just heard my call for the man’s death and my willingness to do it.Murderer, her glare said.
That’s right sweetheart. I’m just as big and bad as they’ve told you. “Have something to say?” I snarled.
“I just don’t think capital punishment is appropriate. Ever.” She lifted her delicate chin. “It seems His Majesty is in agreement and prefers to deal with criminals in a more civilized way.”
I opened my mouth to rebuttal, but she angled her body away from me effectively cutting off and turned to Link. “I’m Avery.” She shoved a hand in his direction.
He took it, obliging with a shake. “Link Coldcloud. A pleasure.” The asshole shot me a knowing smirk, and I considered murdering him for it just to make a point.
Seemingly finished with the formalities, the witch turned to my brother. “The senior housemaid has only been able to spare two maids for my projects. I’ve told her repeatedly it wasn’t enough, but she insists they’re understaffed. Did you know there are only six maids in this entire castle? It’s no wonder there’s an inch of grime on everything.”
I shifted uncomfortably as hot streaks of shame rose up my neck. While I agreed with her, she hadn’t been here for the last eighteen years and dealt with what we had. Coming to terms with being a cursed being, grappling with the changes to our bodies and senses changed things. As time went on, another year, another failure, things were forgotten about. A staff member would quit, and we didn’t take the time to replace them. We became used to the disrepair.
Now this energetic witch had inserted herself into our world and seemed determined to change things for the better. Not one of the women before her had been so bold. The metal caps fitted to the ends of my claws dug into my palms as a wave of jealousy swirled through me.
“I’ll go deal with Musson. Come on, Link,” I said, turning to flee from the unwanted thoughts being in this room with my brother and his bride-to-be caused.
“You are not dismissed and you’ll leave Musson to me,” Xavier said and pointed to a spot on the ground where he apparently expected me to stand. The bastard wouldn’t flex his power in front of our subjects, but he seemed to have no difficulty trying it with me to impress the witch.
I walked to the opposite side of the room and leaned against the wall beside the open window. Sunlight streamed in harshly, leaving enough of a shadow beside the bunched curtain I could retreat into. Xavier’s lips pressed into a firm line, but he didn’t attempt to redirect me again.
The witch, privy to our power struggle coughed. “Umm, hi, Xavier,” she said, drawing his attention back to her. “How am I supposed to whip this place into shape with such little staff? Can’t we afford more?”
“Of course. As I said before, anything you wish.” He grabbed a fresh piece of paper and began writing on it. When he’d signed his name, he handed it to her. “Just give this to Leviticus next time you see him, and he’ll arrange for it.”
She reluctantly took the paper and scanned the contents. “I don’t need Leviticus for this. I’ll hire them myself.”
Xavier gave her what I took to be a condescending frown. She apparently took it the same, as her arms crossed firmly over her chest. Perhaps my brother wasn’t making the progress he believed himself to be.
Before I could stop myself, I said, “If the witch wishes to oversee the hiring of additional maid staff, I don’t see what the harm is, Your Majesty.” I’d rather hear cats howling than call my brother that, but the effect was worth it because Xavier understood my mocking intent.
The witch’s eyebrows raised hopefully, and she passed a glance between me and my brother.
“Avery, my bride, we’ve discussed this. How are the final arrangements for the ceremony coming? I know that must be keeping you busy.”
Her frown deepened. “Everything was already taken care of when I got here.” The paper wrinkled in her hand as her fist balled around it.
Xavier’s eyes were trained on it as he said, “Oh, I know what will help.”
“Telling me about the curse?” she suggested. Beside me, Link choked. She smirked in his direction before turning back to my brother. As the witch’s frustration bubbled to the surface, I savored the angry edge it gave her delightful voice.
“No,” he said, opening a drawer to pull out a notebook. Flipping a few pages, he held it out then shifted his gaze between Link and me as if he wanted to make sure we were paying attention. “Avery, my dear, I’ve written you a few poems. I’ll read you my latest.”
Her features went slack, and she took a subtle step back which I couldn’t help but relish.
“I think you’ll like this one,” he said, eyes roving over her reddening cheeks. An uncomfortable static charged the room as Xavier, seemingly unaware, cleared his throat and began.
