Page 37 of Of Monsters Of Kings

“I’ll ask him.”

Has Been stood, hands raised. “King See won’t see you unless your mind is more robust. He… I cannot rightly say why he ordered that. Robustness of mind hasn’t bothered him before.” That seemed to confuse the prince greatly.

Now I’d pushed back the shimmer, I felt fine as could be. “My mind is robust enough for a conversation.”

“You see, a king’s true form is far more than a prince, even three of them. Far, far more.”

I could see the sense in his words. “I only slept for three weeks, and that really wasn’t long enough, was it?”

Has Been grimaced. “Perhaps not, but I am glad you are here. And you’ve just slept a month more. That must help matters, so do not despair of yourself, lady.”

I was rather good at seeing the bright side, but I’d lost a month of time and four-fifths of my survival fund. “I shall try not to do that.”

Will Be appeared at the door, and I’d been so focused on Has Been that the rest of the room met my senses at that moment. I’d never been in a room so large. The arc openings in the walls to the outside allowed a wonderful breeze, and a darkness filled the corners in a manner that suited the space. Aside from the enormous bed, rug, and tall wardrobe, the room was stone, cobwebs, and a glittering chandelier dimmed with dust.

“Lady Perantiqua, you have awakened for good?”

“I think so.” I’d slumbered more than I’d remained waking in the last two months. I would need to take care not to look upon more monsters. King See was right to order me apart from him.

Will Be bowed. “King See kindly requests that you leave. He has endured great blindness this last month.”

I covered my mouth. “Goodness, he would have.”

A strange look graced Will Be’s conventionally handsome face. “Indeed, lady. He did, and I can’t fathom why he might’ve chosen such a path, though you generate wonder in all who meet you. The choice is out of character for him.”

I flushed and covered my cheeks before recalling they wouldn’t see any midnight blush during the day. “Please pass on my sincere apologies. I wish you would have left me at the hotel instead. I’m sure King See detested every moment of the last month.”

Has Been said, “King See would not hear of leaving you at the hotel for the other princes and kings to discover. He is furious that King Bring learned of you, and more furious again that the princes would be so foolish as to let a new monster look upon them after dusk, and three of them to boot.”

I stared at my hands. My smooth, single-toned, stitch-free hands. “I wish things had not made him so angry, though I’m thankful for his generosity in protecting me.”

“But of course, lady. Blind him you may, but all who glimpse you recognize the rarest of jewels.”

I climbed out of bed to cover my awkwardness, noting that I still wore the gown I’d fainted in. I preferred when the conversation was on anything other than my appearance. “Please pass on my thanks, too, Prince Has Been, Prince Will Be. I will go now, but please could you ask King See about the tithe and whether I might not have a portion of what remains to get on with?”

“Yes, lady. We can do that. But what will you do now?” Will Be asked.

Just like my first slumber, I felt no weakness or thirst.

I halted beside the prince in the entranceway. “I must protect myself better, and I must know about myself too. You’ve said King Bring is not someone to acquaint myself with, but his princes did seem certain he might help me. Do you?—”

“No,” the princes said in unison.

Has Been muttered, “King See will be furious, lady. You had better not.”

I worried at my lip, thankful for the smoothness and lack of stitches there. “I do thank King See for a lot, but I wonder why he’d be furious at my wish to know myself more.” I didn’t venture further to call that an unkindness because we spoke about a king after all.

“Our liege wouldn’t object to that,” Has Been was quick to say. “More that King Bring would be the one to do it.”

“Respectfully to King See, I must go on as I need to survive. If you could pass that on, and ensure he knows I don’t mean to purposefully anger.”

The princes shared a look.

“We don’t perfectly comprehend,” Has Been said.

“I must know myself better. That is clear. But even if I’m allowed to keep King See’s tithe, I will require the others back to insure my future. While I feel thankful for his help, and particularly thankful for the way he endured blindness, I will need to speak with all of the other kings in time—certainly their princes—though I’m mindful of King See’s likely irritation with my action.”

Has Been’s jaw dropped.

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