Page 105 of Of Nine So Bold

“What’d you to do him?” Norbert protested, retreating like Ignatius had the plague.

Standing several dozen yards away at what I could only assume he thought was a “safe distance,” the duke recoiled as well. “Are you well, scholar? Did thiskingharm you?”

Ignatius shook his head quickly. “No. No, I… I’m fine.” Wonder and grief filled his voice as he dropped to a whisper. “It’s been so long.”

“Great,” Norbert snapped. “Me next.”

No one listened.

“Hey, I said me next! Or are you keeping all thestronggiants trapped while you let that half-dead bastard go?”

Gods, why had no one attempted to murder this bullying fool?

“Your supposed strength has nothing to do with it,” Casimir replied coldly. “When we are ready to leave, you and the others who have threatened my people will be released.”

“What? You told the king that we would?—”

“Deter Ensid isnottheking,” Ignatius interrupted, his voice so harsh, it made Norbert’s mouth snap shut with shock.

I took a step back, my hand going out to shield Gwyneira.

The scholar drew another deep breath, straightening. “He will not be the king until he stands in the holy waters of Syloria and takes the vows of leadership before the gods. Your father knows this, and you should too.”

Norbert snarled, taking a step toward Ignatius. “Watch it, old man, or I’ll…”

The stone beneath Norbert’s feet suddenly liquified, and into it, his boots sank. A panicked cry escaped the giant, but before he went more than calf deep, the shifting stopped.

Gods save us, we’d been fools. This was it. Ignatius was about to show everyone here who hereallywas.

The scholar smiled at Norbert, no kindness or humor in the expression. “Make note of the one to whom you speak, young one. I’ve tolerated your nonsense and your cruelty for long enough. It’s time you learned to show others respect.”

Clay’s and Lars’s eyebrows shot up, their expressions pleased. But they didn’t know Ignatius like I did.

Even full-size giants in the Order had known to dreadthatexpression.

Ignatius turned to us. Tome. “Shall we leave this wretched place, scholar?” he asked mildly.

I froze. What had he just called me?

Gwyneira nudged my hip, snapping me from my shock. “Uh…” I cleared my throat, scrambling for an appearance of self-control. “Yes, of course.”

Ignatius nodded. “Then let us begin.”

Gods help me, what was happening?

“The…” I drew myself up straighter. “The Zeniryan king will be the one assisting you.”

I tried to make the words seem unremarkable, but Ignatius’s brow still furrowed with confusion. “As this is Erenlian magic, I would have expected you to be the best choice for assisting me.”

Best choice?

“I was tutored by a scholar of the Order when I was younger,” Casimir cut in smoothly. “Helorian was his name. Perhaps you were familiar with him?”

Ignatius regarded me a moment longer before turning to Casimir with a nod. “I knew him, yes. He taught advanced levels of spellwork, did he not?”

“And how strict he was.” Casimir smiled, gesturing for Ignatius to precede him toward wherever the spell was waiting.

The scholar wasn’t fooled by the distraction. He didn’t move. “I must confess, Your Highness, I am surprised to see you and your citizens here. I was given to understand that Zenirya was lost to the Wild Lands at the start of the Witch War decades ago.” His eyes narrowed. “And that vampires were servants of their creators from the empty realms, those creatures known as the Voidborn.”

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