Page 99 of The Princesses of Ruin
I need to shut my mouth, no matter how much I’d prefer to bite off their limbs and bloody the water.
I need to follow her lead.
I place my hand on her shoulder and give her a gentle squeeze to show I understand how I erred, and that I’m trying to do better. She grips my fingers as she goes on.
“I don’t know if our efforts could produce offspring, but we have been purposefully preventing it through magical and medicinal means.”
“Then, what is the purpose ofthe efforts?” Vek’ihr asks, and I’m about two seconds from ripping his legs off.
Reina’s face turns a shade darker. “It’s a cultural thing. It’s for closeness, and…enjoyment.”
Vek’ihr doesn’t seem to know what to do with her answer. He’s dark and still for a long moment until a bright flash from one of the others captures his attention. He turns and relays the information.
Another extended dialogue happens between the ga’hanoi, Vek’ihr becoming more animated with every second. The discussion narrows to one of the delegates and Vek’ihr, little clicks and whines escaping him as he communicates.
The water pulses outward as the delegate inflates, raising all his limbs menacingly. I pull Reina behind me, but it’s unnecessary. The ga’hanoi thrusts itself in front of Vek’ihr and looms, an aggressive dark red pulsing through its body. Vek’ihr holds his ground for only a second before he shrinks in on himself submissively.
“What just happened?” Reina asks in Fynish.
“I don’t know,” I admit.
I wish I’d had more time with my kind. They would’ve taught me about these things.
Vek’ihr turns back to us and the room settles, though the tension is still thick in the water. I can sense the threat of a challenge.
“The Conclave of Currents would like a demonstration of your powers next tide-pulse,” he says, his voice flat and lacking its previous friendliness.
“How will we be demonstrating?” I ask.
Vek’ihr turns to me, his body lightless and rigid.
“A combat demonstration. There are two community members facing the Challenge of the Pact, and the conclave have selected you as their champions.”
The prick of my claws on my palms draws me back into awareness of my body. I loosen my posture and look to Reina. She’s the ambassador here. She knows what she’s doing.
“What are the parameters of the fight?” she asks.
“No holds barred.” Vek’ihr sways, blue light zipping down his body. “To the death.”
Reina scoffs. “You mean to make us your executioners?”
The delegate of procreation lights up, and Vek’ihr speaks. “Your demonstration will prove your worth. It will show your strength. When it is time to subdue the serpent, they must be certain you will be more than fodder in their way.”
It doesn’t escape me that he’s no longer saying “we” or “our.”
Something has shifted…
Reina looks at me, her expression somber. “Is this the way of queens, too?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
Her brow pinches and the muscles in her jaw feather as she looks at each delegate.
“We accept.”
Chapter thirty-six
Reina
