Page 10 of Ruled By Magic

He shifted, and his knee brushed mine. I jerked away and positioned myself in the least exposed manner possible. It didn’t help. His eyes roamed me without a hint of shame, as if he had every right to examine me.

“You were difficult to catch.”

Calm, almost bland. I forced my panicked brain to take in the words. “I don’t—” I drew in a breath and tried again. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“The Guardians struggled to find you. Even with a large donation from my family trust to aid them, it took nine months. You hid your tracks very well. How did you master the e-link technology? The top scholars in the field found your coding hard to crack.”

Not what I’d been expecting. A tiny spark of hope flickered. Did he need me for something technical? Could I gain a little leverage? Words spilled out fast.

“My father created a lot of the code that the e-link web uses, and he taught me. He wasn’t credited, of course. The mage who led the team took all the praise.” Even my current circumstance couldn’t keep the bitterness from my tone.

His voice changed, developed an edge. Anger. Controlled, but there. “And you used these skills to break into people’s personal devices and expose everything you thought the world should know.”

My survival instinct kicked in. The spark of hope died, and I fought the urge to kick off my shoes and flee the room.

“Do you recognize the name Samuel Davis?”

Puzzle pieces shifted. I’d caused trouble for someone the Lord Commander knew. Cost him money, or position. I racked my brain as he tapped his fingers on the back of the seat.

I couldn’t place it. “No. I’m sorry.”

His face darkened, and he let out a sharp exhale. He ceased his tapping. “You don’t remember? A year ago. A throwaway piece on your site, given little prominence. He wasn’t anyone important, just a junior minister. You outed him. An affair with a young male intern. You had evidence: messages between the two of them.”

The memory dropped. Of course. I debated myself over reporting it. I usually stuck to financial corruption and criminal dealings; people’s private lives didn’t interest me much. But this one jumped out. The messages were so sleazy, the coercion of the young intern so blatant, it grated on me. When I learned the minister had a wife and three kids, I decided to teach him a lesson. Dangerous territory.

“I remember now. Is he your friend?”

“Was.”

The word hung between us. My breath froze.

“My very best friend. More like a brother. He killed himself when the scandal consumed his family. I investigated everything myself. Properly, unlike you. He’d been set up, of course. None of it was true.”

“What? No. I saw the messages—” I caught myself. Was this a point to argue now? He leaned closer. My back already pressed against the arm of the sofa, cutting off any retreat. In a slow, deliberate motion, he brought one firm hand to rest on my knee. A gasp escaped my lips.

He stared at where his hand lay before returning to my face. “Don’t. If you’d bothered to scratch the surface, you’d have discovered a rival set the whole thing up. Paid the intern. Faked the messages.” He studied me, searched for a reaction. “He only intended to get Sam sacked. Alert someone in the right department and see him discreetly removed, as such things are done. A great setback to his career, but not the public shaming you brought to bear on him.”

His eyes flashed. He slid his hand an inch further up my leg. My body shuddered. His fingers lay warm against me, pressed into the soft skin of my inner thigh. My breath came faster. This was just the beginning. He could do whatever he liked.

“Once I dealt with the rival, I gave some funds to the Guardians to help them hunt you down. I wanted to see you locked away. But then the NPU started a campaign for your release, and your pretty face...” He ran a finger down my cheekbone and squeezed my thigh. I drew in a sharp breath and flinched back. “...gained public sympathy. You might have escaped punishment. Been viewed as someone brave enough to speak the truth. I couldn’t let that happen, so I had to deal with you myself.”

Had I destroyed an innocent man’s life? The Lord Commander seemed so sure. With his hand pressed into my thigh and his body inches away, I couldn’t find the words to question him further.Pacify him. For now.“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t believe you. But once you leave here, your reputation will be in shreds. You will be sorry.” He got to his feet in one fluid motion. My skin bore red marks from his fingers. In an odd, almost courtly gesture, he extended his hand, the meaning clear. After a moment’s hesitation, I took it. What would be the point of antagonizing him further? Five years of Hex’s life rested in my hands. Good behavior.

He helped me to my feet. My ankle wobbled, the heel slipping on the polished hardwood floor. His arm around my back steadied me, and I let out a small yelp of shock.

“Not used to these sorts of clothes, are you?”

I looked up at him. In the heels, I only just reached his shoulder. The amusement on his face set irritation simmering in my stomach. “Of course not. Is anyone?”

His brows rose. “Careful. I thought I told you to address me properly. Care to rephrase that?”

I pressed my lips together. So hard to force the words out. “I mean no, Lord Commander.”

“Better.” He took my arm. “Come.” Moving slow enough to accommodate my unsteady steps, he led me to the mirror and positioned me in front of it. He stood behind me and smoothed a hand down my side, along the silken material. I shivered, and he pressed closer, so our bodies touched.

“Look at yourself. This is the image I’m going to make sure the whole territory sees. Dozens of events. Dozens of indecent dresses. A thousand photographs and vids. The public will always see you as my consort. You’ll never escape it. You deserved years of imprisonment, but a lifetime of shame will do.” He slid his hand around my body, fingers tracing the contours of my stomach. He bent his head to whisper in my ear. “I only have you for six months, but you’ll be my beautiful little plaything forever. Now, look.”

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