Page 82 of Ruled By Magic

The rest of the group waited for us in the corridor. Damien and Hex bowed to Leo.

“Good morning, Lord Commander,” said Damien.

Leo nodded.

One of the serving girls stood to the side. She approached, eyes downcast, and sank into a low bow. “Good morning, my lord. I’m to escort you to meet His Highness.”

“Lead on,” said Leo curtly.

We traveled through a maze of corridors, all decorated in bright, cheerful colors. I tried to make sense of the different clothes. Men wore the tunic and trouser combo, but I only saw an occasional cloak. Elaborate embroidery was more common, but still most outfits were plain. Did it hold some significance—like the color red did in Dexia—or was it just a fashion choice? Small groups of women in long, colorful gowns chatted together, some with children in tow.

It contrasted with the brutality I’d heard about. The Atarans we passed seemed cheerful, normal people. Going about their day, no different from anywhere else. We drew to a halt outside a set of tall, wooden double doors, flanked by guards in ornate uniforms. Their red jackets were embossed in gold with a crest—a big cat, paw lifted, ready to strike. Unnerving. I tore my gaze from it.

Prince Adante awaited us. He nodded at Leo. “Good morning. I trust you slept well?” He didn’t spare the rest of us a glance.

“Very well, thank you.” Leo returned the nod.

“The king is prepared to receive you.” He waved a hand at a guard. “Show the Lord Commander’s party to the waiting area.” Hex, Damien, and Atalie followed the guard along the corridor. I remained with Leo, as planned.

Adante frowned. “The audience is only for yourself.”

Leo shook his head. “The king will have his servants to attend to him, will he not?” He looked me over with cold eyes. “She’s still in disgrace from last night. I won’t have her spending a relaxing morning with her bodyguard.”

A flash of irritation passed over the prince’s face, quickly schooled away. “Very well. Bring her if you must.”

The guard pulled the doors open and we entered the room. Medium-sized and suitable for small gatherings, the furnishings were designed for comfort. Low divan chairs piled with cushions, thick, soft rugs on the tiled floor, and colorful curtains that blocked the worst of the sun’s harsh rays from streaming in through the window.

A throne stood on a raised dais, the other seating arrayed around it in a semi-circle. An audience chamber where everyone had to look up at the king. A man sat on the throne. Andrew had guessed his age at seventy, but he seemed older, straight-backed but hunched in the shoulders. His pale skin bore deep lines around his eyes and mouth, and his long, gray hair was bound back in a tail. His eyes, though, were clear, almost black, and so familiar. Casting his gaze over all of us, he frowned.

Adante bowed to his father—a smooth, flowing motion which Leo and I copied.

“Rise.” Scratchy and rough, the king’s voice echoed in the chamber. His gaze locked on Leo, scouring him from head to toe. “You may approach.”

Leo stepped up to the king. The old man beckoned him closer with an impatient wave, squinting as he took in Leo’s features. “Uncanny. Like looking into a mirror from forty years ago.” He leaned back into his throne. “Take a seat. We have much to discuss.”

Adante sat to the right side of the throne, Leo to the left. I sank to the floor, taking up my customary position at Leo’s feet. The king didn’t seem to notice me.

The king called, “Refreshments!” Two women appeared, bearing trays of drink. Fruit juice, water, and wine. The king took a large glass of white wine. Starting early. Adante and Leo both chose water, and I got nothing.

The women looked around twenty, dressed in the revealing outfits that marked them as palace whores. I suppressed a shudder. What other tasks might they perform for the king? I risked a glance at them. Beautiful, as all the palace girls seemed to be. What level of poverty must they have faced on the outside to sell themselves to the palace and the use of multiple men? I remembered, with vivid clarity, how it felt to have my choice taken away. To understand that “no” wasn’t an option. One man having that power over me had been terrifying, at first. What these girls must be forced to do filled me with pity and disgust.

The king took a long drink, eyes never leaving Leo. “It came as quite the shock, seeing your face appear in the media when you became Lord Commander. It didn’t take much to piece together the puzzle. How is your mother?”

I tensed. I couldn’t see Leo’s expression from where I sat.

“She died when I was a child. Cancer. I barely remember her.” His voice, cold and clipped, did not invite further discussion.

The king shook his head. “A shame. Beautiful woman. And her strength was phenomenal. She would have made a good wife.”

All three men seemed determined to pretend there was no drama here. That the king hadn’t raped Leo’s mother. That she hadn’t faked her own death to get away from him. That there hadn’t already been two attempts on Leo’s life.

The king set down his drink. “But, to business. I’m unwell, so this needs to be short. You’re interested in negotiating an alliance?”

Leo nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. I don’t see any reason our two territories can’t work together. We have common ground, after all.”

“You’ve done well, rising to power. I’m pleased one of my blood is in charge. But the fact remains, Dexia is a weak nation. Your mages are substandard, and your religion cripples your industry and science. You’re a backwater, growing less relevant with each passing year. What can you bring to the table?”

“I intend to change things. The prohibition on magic and tech can’t continue. Once I remove it, you’ll have a huge new market for your products.”

---