Page 32 of The Time Of Kings

I knew instantly it had been the wrong thing to say, as my anger had gotten the better of me.

“And I would expect nothing less from a jailor who has already condemned me of my sins,” was her bitter reply, making me narrow my gaze down at her. For I was reminded of my own bitterness in knowing that she had yet to speak the truth about anything I had asked of her.

Hence why my reply came with just as much resentment as she had shown me.

“Yes, just as guilt is fuelled by lies spoken, and the counterbalance to this is the innocence gained with the truths that are told.”

I left her with this food for thought, hoping that by the time I returned, she would have a change of heart.

One I was soon hoping to…

Conquer.

14

MUCH MORE TO DISCOVER

By the time I made it outside, I was ready to tear someone limb from limb. I knew, in that moment, that I couldn’t be trusted to question those that had taken her.

Which was why I made the decision to have my Captain of the guard do it in my stead. I quickly found him, barking the order at him to handle it immediately. After this, I left to go to my study, knowing that I needed to be in the same building as her, at the very least. Gods, but I didn’t even know the girl’s name and I hadn’t even thought to press for it. It was like the girl made me lose all good sense and wit.

Even now, I found myself pacing like an angry bear being awoken early before my hibernation period was over. In fact, I was close to erupting out of my vessel and destroying the room, just so as I could direct some of my mounting frustrations at how badly I had handled things so far.

“Well, no more!” I snarled at myself, slashing a hand through the air before I began to put in motion the wheels of rectifying what I could. So, I rang the servants’ bell, not having to wait long before Mrs Price arrived.

“My Lord, you rang?” my housekeeper said as she laced her hands in front of her in respect. Her state of dress was immaculate as always, as was her light brown hair that she kept pinned back from her face. The slight peppering of grey around the edges of her temple displayed evidence of her passing age.

That was the problem those that were mortal were faced with. Time became a very different beast to those that would inevitably lose the fight against it. As for being immortal, well, we could often forget the effect it had on those around us. And I am ashamed to admit that on more than one occasion I had returned to one of my many homes around the world only to find death greet me. To discover that many of the staff there had passed on since the last time I had stepped foot within its walls.

It made me think of my own human and how much more at ease I would be after time had passed. And with it, each night of it spent together with the knowledge that she would become less and less vulnerable to the fragility of mortal life. For the forces of aging were an enemy each of them would one day face and was an inevitability they had looming over them. One only too eager to snatch their lives away at any given time.

Well now faced with Mrs Price I could see for myself how much she had aged since the last time I was here. It was a stark reminder that I had my own mortal to care for. Of course, to Mrs Price, I too would have aged slightly, or it would have made living in the mortal realm vastly more difficult. Especially should I ever desire to spend any considerable time in one place. Something I could find myself doing more, should my Chosen One wish it.

And speaking of which, it was time to answer my housekeeper, for there was indeed something I required of her.

“I did ring, for I need my…” I took pause for a moment, close to calling her my Chosen but stopping just in time.“…My guestmaking more comfortable, starting with having a breakfast tray made up for her, along with some clothes.”

“I am sorry, My Lord, but are you speaking of the prisoner you have in your room?” she enquired, making my whole-body tense when having her viewed as such. This despite such claims made from my own lips, and to the very person my housekeeper now spoke of. Hence why I was forced to unclench my jaw.

“I do indeed, for she will be my guest here for the foreseeable future, is that understood?” I stated firmly, making her kind hazel eyes widen momentarily.

“Yes… yes, My Lord, but of course.”

“Good, now getting back to the things she needs, perhaps you will find such dresses in my sister’s chamber, for they are not too dissimilar in size I think… yes, that will have to do for now. At least until I can call upon the dress maker in town to have some things made for her.” Again, her shock was easy to see, despite her willingness to aid me.

“The dress maker will of course come here directly, My Lord.” Mrs Price added helpfully.

“Good, then you may send one of the maids to fetch her.”

“Although, I beg your pardon, My Lord, but I doubt they will be able to come any sooner than on the morrow, after all, you have the ball this eve and she will no doubt be occupied with…” I shook my head at this, in no mood for excuses.

“Yes, yes, I care little for such things, just get her here at her next convenience,” I said, waving my hand at her in an impatient manner.

“And tonight, My Lord, will your… guest, be joining us?”

I finally had cause to grin at the thought. Because the ball tonight would grant me the perfect opportunity to express my intentions to my world, for most would be of my own kind. Hence why I looked at Mrs Price and told her,

“Yes… indeed she will be.”

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