Page 38 of Secrets & Curses of Cerithia

All the men stopped their hand-to-hand combat and glanced between us at Jeb’s insult. My fire flickered over my skin momentarily before I regained control. Turning toward Jeb, I took a menacing step toward him. He took a step away.

“Jeb. I will say this once, and I hope it makes it through that very thick skull of yours. I’m the captain; you are not. So, I would not say stupid shit to me unless you want to be demoted or beheaded.” His eyes widened, and I could see his dark cheeks redden from anger and embarrassment. “And if you think comparing my tactics to Crimson’s guard is an insult, you are dead wrong. You’ve never seen how ruthless and powerful they are.”

Jeb opened and closed his mouth like a gaping fish out of water.

“Now leave my sight.”

Jeb scurried away without saying a word or looking back. My eyes glanced at the rest of the guards, who all stared at me. Leer was the only one smiling, but if he liked how I handled that, then I’m sure the other men did too. It was clear that Jeb did not treat them well while I was gone.

“Because Jeb irritated me, and I do not take orders from him, you all may have the rest of the day to yourselves!” I announced.

The men immediately stopped what they were doing and got in line formation, all of them saluting me. Once dismissed, they hooted and hollered as they dispersed.

“You know the men will be loyal to a leader who is fair,” Leer sighed close by. “They might all fall in love with you if you keep being so…nice.”

“I’m giving them a balance.” I nodded. “I understand you all have lives outside of this place, and family is important.”

“What will you do with your free time?” Leer asked as we started toward the castle. He worried for me. His wife, Larissa, had him bring me small treats almost every day. Today it was adelicious, sweet bread that I couldn’t wait to devour. They were the only two friends I had here.

“Probably sneak around and get in trouble,” I shrugged.

Leer laughed but shut his mouth quickly when Jeb and my father strode toward me.

“Go,” I ordered Leer, and he didn’t argue.

My father’s green eyes glared daggers into me, and Jeb’s smug smile had me rolling my eyes. He went and tattled on me. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for them to get closer.

“Thea, is there a problem?” The king questioned. He stayed far from me. It was the first time that we had been near each other since I lost my shit.

I shook my head. “No, no problem.”

“Well, Jeb said that you are being unmanageable.”

My eyes flickered over to Jeb slowly. He was becoming a real pain in my ass, a problem that I was about to get rid of if he didn’t back off.

“I’m supposed to be managed. Why?” I called my father out. He had used a poor choice of words, and his fallen face let me know that he realized his mistake. “I am the captain.”

“Not managed, but Jeb has been the captain for seven years. He knows what he’s doing.”

"Well, now that’s debatable.” I narrowed my eyes at him, and his face looked ashen. Did he really think I would be deterred if he went and tattled on me? “The men would feed him to the monsters in the woods in a heartbeat. They have no loyalty to a dictator.”

The king’s eyes widened, and his face reddened at my words. One thing I learned in the past few weeks was that my father hated free will and choice. He told fae what to do, not caring about the impact it had. Fae in Crimson did the opposite, and their guards were loyal to a fault.

“If you really don’t think I can manage the men, then maybe we let them vote on who they think should be captain.

Jeb looked at my father, then at me.

“You’re that confident?” Jeb hissed. “They would never choose a fucking psycho bitch as their leader; they are being nice to you because they pity how easily you fell for Cassius’ lies!”

My father looked at me, his calculating eyes scanning me for a reaction I wouldn’t give. I tisked at Jeb, letting him know I thought he was a complete idiot.

“Tomorrow, the men will decide who will continue as captain of the guard,” my father agreed. “We are getting ready for the biggest war in Elloryon history, and I need to know my men are loyal to their leader, that they trust them.” His face almost looked pained at the idea that I was the one they trusted more.

His green eyes glared at Jeb, then back at me. The king stalked away, leaving Jeb and I alone. I flashed my black eyes toward him, and he let out the smallest startled cry.

“You really shouldn't have done that, Jeb. Consider yourself a dead man walking.”

Jeb scrambled quickly away from me; his bravado was gone without the king there to protect him. I chuckled at his retreating form.

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