Page 85 of Ruled By Magic

Silence fell.

Hex looked around the group, face tight. Fear shadowed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think—”

“No, you didn’t.” Leo glanced at the ceiling and took a breath. “I’ll have to put my foot down and say I’m not allowing it. It might cause an incident, but I don’t see another option.”

I held up a hand as an idea surfaced. “Wait.” No one would like it, but it could work. “What if you asked Adante to reduce the punishment? To something less severe.”

Leo frowned. “Why would he agree? He wants me to look weak, I’m sure.”

I swallowed. “He might if it’s me getting punished.”

Leo tensed. “What?”

“He wanted to discipline me yesterday. You saw it. If I take Hex’s punishment, he might agree to something less harsh.” I lowered my voice. “And if you’re the one doing it, it won’t be so bad.”

“Zantus.” Leo ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t like it.”

“Me neither,” said Hex. “You’re not doing that for me. No fucking way. This is my fault.”

“I doubt he’ll reduce it for you, though,” I said. “He’s been interested in me since we got here. I think he’s guessed there’s more between me and Leo than we’re letting on.”

Hex twisted her hands together in her lap. “What if we split it? Would that work?”

I looked at Leo. “Maybe? You could try.”

“But—” Hex’s gaze flicked between Leo and I as her face reddened. “Does he have to do it? Can’t it be one of the Ataran guards?”

“Absolutely not.” Leo shot back. “Do you think I’d let someone else strike Liv?”

Peter squeezed Hex’s shoulder. “It makes sense. He won’t be trying to hurt you. Better than one of their sergeants. The guys I met in prison had bad stories about them. Borderline psychotic.”

Leo spoke in a softer voice. “I’ll make it quick, Hex.” The first time he’d ever used her nickname. “You won’t need to stay in position for long.”

Hex closed her eyes. I could imagine how she was feeling. Punished by the one man she hated above all others. Hard for anyone to face, never mind Hex with her pride and her temper.

“Okay.” Hex looked at me, jaw set. “Let’s do it.”

Leo got to his feet. “It’s safest if you all stay in here.”

He left to negotiate with the king alone.

Peter’s group ordered room service and listened to his stories about prison. Hex parked herself on the bed, staring at the wall. I gave her a few minutes to calm down, then settled next to her. “It’ll be okay. I’m sure Adante will agree. I’ve got a feeling about it.”

Hex sighed. “I’m such an idiot. I should’ve learned by now. This place is so fucked up.”

“Yep. I’ll be glad to see the back of it.”

“I bet.” She studied me through narrowed eyes. “Are you okay? After last night, I mean. You looked so upset, but today you seem alright.”

It was true. The memory still seared me, but replaying it afterward for Leo had taken the sting out of it, somehow.

“I’m fine.” I grinned at Hex and punched her in the leg. Being around her always pushed me back into teenaged habits. “Good job too. My ass will be on display again tonight thanks to you.”

Hex blanched. “Fuck. That’s a good point. What will we have to wear?”

I shrugged. “It depends on what Leo works out with Adante.”

Hex’s forehead creased, and sadness tinged her voice when she spoke. “How do you stand it?”

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