Page 54 of Water Dragon
They were doing this.
Whatever ‘this’ was.
She would let Malcolm take the lead.
For now, all they could do was watch the sickening display of Leon’s self-satisfied posturing as he stepped into the middle of the room, placing himself behind the kneeling king as he faced them all.
“Dearly gathered,” Leon said, holding his arms out with a grin. “This is what it comes down to. This moment. I wanted to let you know that I see you. I see you for what you truly are. You can’t hide behind those wreaths and crowns you wear, not from me. You are all bound. Bound to each other, bound to the elemental magic. What will happen to you should one such bond break? Perhaps all other bonds will follow suit?”
“You’re only bringing ruin on yourself,” King Hugh stated. “And I, for one, can’t wait to watch the ceiling tumble down on your head.”
“The fire king,” Leon smirked. “The one who wrecked the person trying to save him from himself. Dragged her very self from her. I hear Lady Quinn is in an institution?”
“She is at a sanctuary,” Queen Blair cut in. “Where she is safe.”
“Ah, yes,” Leon nodded. “The beautiful Blair. You’re a wild thing, I hear. Have you spoken to Iona? I’m sure you two would get along. Speaking of.” He turned to Iona with a gleam in his eyes that almost stopped her hearts. “Bring her here.”
Her hand was tugged out of Malcolm’s as she was dragged forward. She tried to struggle, but the hands gripping her arms were like fortified iron. She tried to look back at Malcolm but wasn’t allowed as the movement of her head caused the guard to put his knee at the small of her back, forcing her onto her knees.
Instead of Malcolm’s gaze, her eyes met the king’s.
There was regret there, but then he gave her a nod, and it strengthened her. They were in this together, come what may.
She raised her chin to look up at her aggressor.
“I thought of you as an allied,” she spat. “I’ve known you as long as your master has known mine.”
“Your master?” he smiled, glancing at Malcolm. “Is that what you make her call you? A little kinky, but I quite like it.”
Iona got to her feet, shaking the reaching hands of the guard off her and, when Leon made a slight gesture, the guard backed off.
“You will die for this treason, you must realize that,” she said.
“You are feisty,” he nodded. “Sir Patrick was right about that. Do you know what else he’s told me?”
There was a soft singing noise as he unsheathed the sword he’d had strapped to his back, bringing it over one shoulder to show it off to her.
The blade caught the light, showing off the beautiful waves punched into the steel.
“He told me about this,” Leon said.
Malcolm made a noise in protest, but mostly there was silence. The room was so quiet she thought she could hear each pair of hearts beating.
“What of it?” she asked.
“It was gifted to you by your future king,” he said. “Do you know an act like that might bless a blade?”
“I didn’t.”
“Well, it can. What do you think the chances are that this blade is singing the song of your name? What great deeds did you hope to perform with this at your side? Or was it ever only going to be for show?”
“I would wield it,” she stated.
He nodded. “What if I told you that you could save everyone in this room by doing what no woman has done before?” he asked.
She frowned at him, unwilling to continue playing this game. He took note, lowering the blade until it was resting with its tip against the flagstones.
“Meet a knight of the realm in close combat,” he said. “If you win the fight, I swear I will let everyone free of their binding spell. I will accept any punishment doled out. I will even confess to the people all my beliefs were built on rocky shoals at best and that the old, glorious ways are the only possible future.”
