Page 32 of Brutal King

GIDEON

I made no move to come near the mare I named Shiloh. For an entire month, I sat on the wooden fence of the paddock and read aloud. Classics that once bored me to death, now became a tool for my voice to lull her, Moby-Dick and The Old Man and the Sea.

Before I walked away for the day, I’d place an apple in the spot where I’d sat.

At first, she watched me wearily, as if she sensed my true intentions. But when I’d return later, the apple would be gone.

Day after day, I did this, letting her get used to my presence, and rewarding her tolerance with the apple.

Until one day, I didn’t. When I returned, she came to me, demanding her treat. It didn’t matter that she’d been afraid before. She trotted to me in a huff and nuzzled me in search of the apple she was owed.

Though she did not know it, that was her first step toward her willing submission. Soon, she’d give me her undying loyalty and blind trust.

Father watched from afar, and nodded in approval. I did exactly as he taught me. But the lesson was far from over.

The sound of my fork clanking against my plate is the only sound in the room. I take a bite of my perfectly cooked steak and glance at Sofia.

When we first came into the dining room, I politely asked her to sit beside me at the head of the table.

She told me she’d rather sit elsewhere. I told her she could sit wherever she desired, but once she chose her spot, she had to stay there. She agreed and chose the opposite end of where I was.

To her dismay, it wasn’t that difficult for me to pick up my plate and sit beside her there.

“Why are you doing this?” she asks, staring at her food like it’s poisoned.

“Doing what? Sitting next to you? You’re my guest. It would be rude of me not to.”

“You know what I’m referring to.”

I nod. “Take a bite and I’ll answer a question. It’s not going to kill you, I promise. If I wanted to do that, I’d have just let you starve.”

She sighs and takes a bite. Her eyes shutter closed and she sinks into her seat a bit as she begins to chew, but she catches herself quickly.

“Good?”

“It’s fine.” She shrugs. “Could use a little more salt.”

“I’ll be sure to take that into consideration tomorrow. The lady likes it salty.”

Rolling her eyes, she stabs another piece of meat. “First question. What did my brother do to you that you want revenge?”

“Meddle,” I answer.

“Meddle? How?”

“I’m surprised your brother didn’t fill you in.”

“Isn’t that why we’re playing twenty questions?”

“Ah, it’s a game. I knew you liked them.” I wink.

“Gideon, just answer the damn question.”

“Say it again.”

“What?”

“My name.” A smile creeps into my lips. “I like the way you say it. It sounds sexy.”

---