Page 69 of The Rat King
Nighval had told me about him, how he’d squirmed his way into Xavier’s council. I didn’t think he was unscrupulous per say. More ambitious and self-seeking. My wise husband had always held the man at arm’s length, but now that he had been assigned to the council, it would be difficult to remove him without just cause, so I figured this little scene and his subsequent busy work I was planning to give him would keep him occupied.
“Of course,” he said. “I live to serve.” He forced a smile, and I got the sense that he knew exactly what I was doing.
“Good. After lunch, I would like to meet with the best furniture and tapestry makers. Bring in designers or whatever you have in this plane. The state of Ravsted is unacceptable. I understand the warlocks will be seeing to its maintenance, but any changes to the decor will be done by me.”
“But, Your Majesty, I understood that you would be returning to the palace. You—”
I cut him off. “It seems there is some misinformation flying around, so let me clarify that for you. My husband, and I weighed that as an option when we considered how best to restore this kingdom.” I reached across the table and wrapped my fingers around Nighval’s cold wrist. He didn't recoil which I considered a win. “We have decided there is much work to do here, so I will be staying indefinitely to rule by his side. Now go and do as I ask.”
As Leviticus shuffled out of the room, I turned and addressed each of the remaining men. “I’m Avery,” I said. “Your new queen.”
Chapter 49
Nighval
Ithoughtmychestwas going to burst open as the most beautiful woman I had ever seen stormed into the council room with all of the authority of the Goddess herself. With her gold crown and that cream colored gown offsetting her glowing golden skin, she looked the part and as she commanded Leviticus out of his seat, I could have sworn my soul left my body.
When her warm fingers clasped my wrist, I didn't understand how a broken heart could still beat the way mine was relentlessly pounding in my chest. When she removed them, it was like she had removed something that was intrinsic to my person, and I felt the loss acutely. I wanted her to put her hand back, the sadist that I was. I didn’t care that she’d hurt me. I knew her running was no less than what I deserved for what I’d done to her.
I couldn’t even hold on to my anger. She’d hardly spoken to me for over a week as she marinated in hers. All it took was a single touch, and I was back under her spell, willing to forgive her. That was how weak I was. But instead of revealing it, I wanted to see what she would do. Somewhere in the night, she had transformed into the steely creature, and I was desperate for more of it.
I was king. I could swoop her out of her chair, mid-council introductions, take her to my room and let her know exactly how forgiven she was. Or better, send the men away and take her on this table and make sure everyone knew our relationship had made it through. But with my power, we would have long, and healthy lives, and I’d have time to do that later. Now I wanted to watch her. Savor her, making her point, showing me what a divine queen she would be for me. Showing me all the reasons to keep her by my side.
The men finished introducing themselves, and I finally spoke. “Those four you haven’t met are warlocks, if you didn’t guess. Plus Link, they make up the Council of Warlocks. These five, plus Leviticus—” I gestured to the men on the opposite side of the table from her. “—are the human council. We were just discussing how best to move forward with the restoration of Ras alhague now that our power is returned to us.”
“Very good,” she said. “My focus will be on the castle and its grounds to start. I’m sure the crown had a level of responsibility for the public areas of Ras alhague, but the more we can spread our coin around in our restoration efforts, the better off my subjects will be. As I am unfamiliar with much of your plane, I’ll humbly consider any direction or advice you may offer and am grateful for the opportunity to work beside you during this process.”
Several members of the council sat slack-jawed and a few of the mages eyed me with a new level of respect, including Eshan who Avery hadn’t met.
Link, who hardly ever met a female he couldn't charm, said, “We’re honored to be in your company, Your Majesty. And you have my respect. Anyone who can tame our ruthless king is an ally of mine.” He said it, of course, for show in front of the others. They’d formed a tentative friendship in her time here before.
I knew the look he gave her wasn’t meant to ruffle my feathers, but I wanted to throttle him as my wife blushed beneath his gaze. She’d never seen him in his human form. I cleared my throat and gave him a pointed look. “Thank you Link. Please, let us continue.”
The amount of work to do was mountainous, but after two and a half hours, a plan slowly took form. When we broke for lunch, Avery strode from the room without looking back. I sat at the head of the table until everyone but Link and Eshan remained.
“It's nice to finally meet the woman who has your balls,” Eshan said, as he stood stretching out his lean form and the three of us exchanged a look before they burst into laughter at my expense.
“I hope you two are lucky enough to meet a woman like Avery one day. And I’ll be the one laughing as she tightens the vice.”
Chapter 50
Avery
Ishouldn'tbelistening.It was wrong, but I couldn't resist. After I had left, I changed my mind and doubled back, thinking of how he had been so amiable during the meeting and inclusive of my ideas. And no one had even brought up what happened with Xavier. It was as if it hadn’t even happened at all. Maybe now was a good time to bring up some other concerns I had. Namely, the ridiculous amount of testosterone on the panel and the barbaric practice of beheading.
But when I passed through the hallway and crossed every member, but the two who I knew to be his longtime childhood friends, hearing them conversing inside, I couldn't help but listen. Little did they know I did not, in fact, have a hold of his balls, or any other part of him at the moment.
I heard shuffling from the inside of the room, but it didn't sound like footsteps were approaching. They must be adjusting from sitting for so long.
“I thought since the curse ended, she hated you?” Eshan asked, piquing my attention.
Nighval sighed. “Have you ever met a woman who drives you mad and brings you to your knees at the same time?” He paused. “That is what I married.”
My heart leapt into my throat.
“If she becomes too much for you, I’d be glad to take on the challenge,” Link said.
“If you look at her again, the way you did in the meeting today, I’ll rip your heart out, understand?” I couldn’t tell if Nighval was kidding. Maybe spying on the warlocks wasn't such a great plan.
