Page 25 of The Time Of Kings

Hence why I snubbed such thanks before hearing him muttering that he would head back to the inn and drink his experience into a drunken memory. Well as long as he kept his mortal mouth shut, as the last thing I needed was the townsfolk getting riled up about the talk of witches in these parts once more.

Besides, I was already allowing that somewhat dangerous emotion to rise. The one named hope that was centred around who I could possibly find soon in my possession. Meaning mytime would be greatly filled with all that is my Chosen, leaving me far too occupied to deal with mortal madness.

Speaking of which, it looked as if Marcus was at the ready for me without needing to be woken.

“Tell me what I want to hear, Seeker,” I demanded, walking into my office and pouring myself a glass of port from the decanter. Of course, by the time I turned back to face him, Marcus was lounging in a chair as if he had moulded himself to the upholstery.

Well, it was better than seeing him up in that damn tree he often chose to rest himself in like some warning crow. He was worse than my pet, Ava, who also liked to warn people away from the castle should she ever become bored of hunting her prey. Alarmingly, children were a favourite of hers.

“Well?!” I snapped.

He reclined while looking thoughtful, doing so with that sadistic disconcerting painted grin.

“Then I am happy to offer you the comfort you seek, for it is true, the Electus has finally graced this time.”

I actually crushed the glass in my hand in my shock, thankful, at least, I had rid it of its contents first. My head snapped around to his quick enough to break mortal necks.

“You do not jest? For I swear to the Gods, Marcus, if this is…”

He hastily held up a hand and stopped my rant before I could fully form threats.

“I would not dare, my King of Kings, for what I see is true, she has entered your lands.”

I felt the sting of the glass bury deeper into my flesh as my blood dripped to the floor. As if I needed the feel of this pain in aid in keeping me grounded enough to know for certain that I was not dreaming like I feared.

She was here.

“Gods… finally,”I uttered in my deepest shock, caring little if I displayed my relief. A relief that felt as if it had relit a fire within my soul, and one I had only discovered in this moment had been long ago been extinguished.

“Then I must go to her!” I declared, clenching my fist and already feeling my flesh knitting back together once the glass had evaporated. But it was at this moment that Marcus stopped me in my determined strides.

“Alas, I would not do that if I were you, my King.”

“Why not!?” I demanded, feeling every muscle in my body tense with being denied.

“Because that is not what I see happening and, therefore, be warned, that if it were to change, then so will the Fates in playing out as they should.”

“What are you saying? That I could lose her if I go and retrieve her myself?!” I barked like some wounded dog ready to fight.

“Has it not always been Fated that she must come to you?” he asked, making me clench my jaw. Because as much as it pained me to do nothing, I knew he spoke the truth. For that was how it had always been prophesied. So, despite it going against the grain to do nothing personally, I was at least wise enough to heed his words.

“Then what do you suggest?”I gritted out.

“You mean, what do I know…?” he reworded with a grin, causing me to narrow my gaze at him, for I had no patience or inclination to feed his amusement. However, my dark look must have spoken for me as he quickly added, “…You will send your men to retrieve her, but not before I arrive at the inn and allow whispers of the bounty their Lord has placed on her capture.”

I scowled at this, suddenly wishing my brother were here. For I was in dire need for not only his council, but also his unmatched abilities to calm me.

“Why in the Gods holy names should I do such a thing?!” I asked in a venomous tone I knew signalled even further the end of my patience.

“Because it will ensure you getting what you desire more than anything else in all the realms and every world that lies between. That, my King, is why,” he replied, bowing slightly, as if stroking my royal ego would help in calm me.When nothing fucking could right now!

“Explain!” I ordered darkly.

“She is not alone, therefore when your men arrive, they will be led away from the cottage. Then, when your Chosen least expects it, she will be taken without having the chance to run herself. It is the only way I see Fate playing out in your favour, My Lord.”

I released a deep sigh at this, not liking his plan,not one bit, in fact.I disliked it so much that I came close to saying, damn to the Fates, I would hunt her down myself. Because I knew whether she ran or not, I would chase her down and catch my prey. But then he said the one thing that he knew would have me yielding to this plan of his.

“It is also the only way to ensure she is not hurt.”

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