Page 29 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Ottai folded the scroll with care, setting it aside. "How many decisions have you made over the years without consulting me?"

"Those two were set free. They were sent home! They are not needed here again!"

"I disagree.” Ottai was unbothered by his anger. “In fact, the people disagree as well. You should have seen the way they were welcomed. Our people are happy for the breath of hope in these miserable times."

"What do you hope to achieve with this?"

Ottai raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was obvious. Daemonikai and Vladya need their females back."

"This is no place for them," Zaiper snapped, advancing a step. "Send them back home. Now."

Ottai snorted. It had been a long time since he’d seen Zaiper this riled up, and it was satisfying. Very satisfying.

"You told me to do what I do while you do yours. This is whatIdo." He picked up the scroll and returned it to its place on the shelf.

Then turned to face Zaiper. "And don’t even think about taking matters into your own hands,Second Ruler.Yaz and Wegai are now responsible for their protection. They will protect those two with their lives. Any move against them will be met with retaliation."

Ottai hadn't thought it possible for Zaiper to look even more enraged, but the male was full of surprises this morning.

"Maybe it’s time we discussed this in court. How you really feel about the grand king and Vladya. How much you’d prefer they never recover." Ottai mused. "It would make for an interesting topic when everyone learns how much you delight in their struggles. I can already imagine the uproar.”

"You have no idea what you’re talking about!” Zaiper's voice thundered. “Of course I want them to recover!"

Ottai snorted again. "Could have fooled me."

Zaiper finally seemed to rein himself in. Trying to suppress his anger.

"Perhaps the people will have a thing or two to say about all this. How worked up you are over the return of two humans. Tell me, Zaiper." Ottai settled back into his chair and leaned back, eyeing him intently. "Why does it get to you so much? They are, after all, merely harmless humans."

"Why should they affect me?” Zaiper sneered. “Weak, powerless humans, not worth the sand on my feet!"

"Yet, you seem to fear these two females."

"I FEAR NO HUMAN!" he threw his hands up. "I could crush them in my fist and scatter their remains across the desert before I’d ever fear them."

"Except you will do no such thing." Ottai rose and walked closer to him. His voice hardened. "Let me make myself clear. You do not have jurisdiction over them. They are not in Greyrock; they are in Blackstone and Frostfall. Anything you do, under any pretense of exerting the law, will be considered illegal andwillbe brought up in court."

"Did you just threaten me?" Zaiper growled.

"Our people are hopeful again, and they are out for blood,” Ottai stated. “If any harm comes to those two, I willsing like a canaryabout how much you relish Daemonikai and Vladya’s suffering. One single harm.”

Ottai strode past Zaiper, out of his study, throwing a final command over his shoulder. "Close the door after you when you leave, Lord Zaiper."

***

Grand Lord Vladya gently wiped the tears from Aekeira’s face with his good hand, drinking her in.

Greedily devouring the sight of her.

Every emotion, both familiar, long buried, and unfamiliar, swamped him.

He had been dead these past few years. Or at least, he felt that way.

When Aekeira left Urai, she had taken every atom of life in his body.

If losing his soul had made him feel empty before, it was nothing compared to thevoidher absence had left.

Vladya thought he could endure it. He had been so sure.

---