Page 15 of Own To Obsess

“It depends how bad you think it is,” Zolt’s shaggy hair swung around his head as he walked to stop a few feet from Kardos.

Kardos poured himself a glass of fevermalt and offered a glass to Zolt, who shook his head and took a deep breath.

“Some of the tribe want a new tribe leader,” Zolt said bluntly. “It started with just a few voices before you left, but the rumors of what happened outside the temple spread quickly. There is now a vote happening tomorrow to decide if a forced appointing will be favored.”

Kardos gulped a mouthful of fevermalt, savoring the hot, fiery flavor that bloomed on his tongue and then charged down his throat. The situation was worse than he thought.

“It is not my place to question you, my shinno…,” Zolt began hesitantly.

“Then don't,” Kardos growled at him. “Anything you are about to say, I am sure I have already thought about and there is very little I'm willing to discuss with you, Zolt.”

Zolt bristled. “Talking things through can sometimes help,” he pointed out. “We have talked of many strategies over the years. Are you saying you no longer need my council now? Now that your leadership could end?” He exhaled harshly. “Don’t be foolish, my shinno. There are many of us who still believe you are the rightful shinno and tribe leader to Nyek.”

“I'm saying that this is a unique situation where assumptions and forecasts cannot help,” Kardos replied. “It requires knowledge of our traditions and sometimes the willingness to do things that seem… disrespectful.” He took another mouthful and swallowed, turning to face Zolt. “You know that I greatly appreciate your counsel, but I still aim to be high chief, and there are things I need to do on my own—if only to prove that I am capable.”

Zolt nodded, slowly. “I understand.” He sighed, his shoulders dropping. “It is still my duty to support your organization of the tribe. I will do whatever you ask, so let me know how to support you, and it will be done.”

Kardos gripped his glass harder. “Find out who spoke to Shaya while I was at temple,” he said. “Servant, visitor, it doesn’t matter. Whoever that person is needs to be charged with treason and imprisoned until I have the time to question them.”

Zolt nodded. “And what about the tribe?”

“What about them?” Kardos growled, pouring more fevermalt. “I don’t see why you have to say anything at all. I am the shinno and tribe leader. It is for me to decide when an election takes place. They cannot force one because of this.”

“Kardos,” Zolt said, his voice somewhat strangled. “You mated with the Omega outside the temple when the blessing had not been given for the union. You were not supposed to touch her until you left the island completely.”

“Do you think I don’t know that!” Kardos roared. “I am completely aware of the fucking rules and protocols, Zolt.”

“So you must understand their concern,” Zolt pressed on. “It is a serious insult and affects not only your honor but theirs. It cannot be brushed off as unimportant, not for this tribe. They are concluding that even if the Omega did bite you of her own free will, without you enticing her—like the other tribes are saying—your actions outside the temple dismissed any notion that you hold the self-control needed to be—”

“I will give you something to say tomorrow,” Kardos said firmly as his anger rose again. “You may return then.”

Zolt blinked and stood frozen on the spot with his mouth open for a long moment, until he realized he’d been dismissed. Then he inclined his head and left quickly.

Kardos poured more fevermalt and paced his study, his mind cycling through the high chief’s decision but unable to come to any conclusion that made sense. His mouth and throat burned and his mind was slightly hazy by the time he poured the last drop into his glass, and the soft snort coming from the door almost didn’t register.

“Your father preferred sourmalt when he was in a deep contemplation. But it was just an excuse to drink—it didn’t help him either.”

He turned to see Rozalia padding into the room, but although her voice was light, her expression was grim.

“What is it now, Roza?” he said irritably.

“You have avoided me.”

“I have been busy.”

“Too busy to try to protect your position as shinno, tribe leader, and high chief?”

Kardos growled. “That is exactly what I have been trying to do! Shaya has made things much more fucking difficult from every angle. With one action she has changed my entire position in these Isles.”

“And what did you do that made her take that action?”

“I did nothing,” Kardos said sharply. “She bit me. She bonded with me, Rozalia, without consent!”

Rozalia glared at him, crossing his arms. “Why?”

“I don’t know what possessed her,” Kardos raged, his anger jumping to full force. “She behaved completely inappropriately.”

“What were you doing when she bit you?”

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