Page 117 of The Seducer
“You were acting threatening and it was fine to scare them, but we needed the negotiations to proceed and they were about to pull out.”
I looked down because I knew what the compromise had been between Khan and the Council, and Magni wouldn’t like it.
“I’ll update you on the full agreement that was reached,” Khan said, “but not until you’ve eaten, showered, and had some sleep.”
“Did we get men on the Council?” Magni grunted. “That’s all I care about.”
“Yes, we did,” Khan confirmed. “More than we expected. But it came with a price, and I’ll tell you about it later when you’re rested.”
Magni nodded. “All right, I’m exhausted, I’ll hit my bed,” he said and popped half a biscuit in his mouth before he stood up.
He took a few steps, but turned with a hand on the doorframe. “Hey, Finn, congratulations on the father thing, that’s great.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at him. “You know, it was you who set off the whole thing with your suggestion to do a paternity test.”
“Huh.” He lifted his chin. “Wait a minute. Maybe I’m Mila’s real dad too.”
Athena looked down at the table while I answered softly. “I doubt it, Magni.”
“Why not? We both have blue eyes and blond hair,” he pointed out.
“True, but the chances are extremely slim that she…”
Magni cut me off. “Make a test, will you? Maybe I’m as lucky as you are.”
“Maybe,” I said but I didn’t believe it. “I’ll do the testing for sure.”
“Good,” he said and was just about to walk away when his eyes landed on Athena. “Did you marry her yet?” he asked and moved his head to look at me.
“No, we were planning to do it today.”
“Do you need my help with anything?” he asked, and I was touched because the man was down to his last ounce of energy and he still offered to help me.
“It’ll just be a small ceremony, and we’ll wait for you to wake up.”
“I appreciate it,” he said with a hint of a smile before he walked away with those heavy footsteps.
Athena’s shoulders eased a bit when Magni left and I squeezed her hand. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, it’s just that he still makes me nervous when he raises his voice.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Pearl noted with a sad smile.
“Khan.” I rubbed my face. “How are you going to tell Magni?”
Khan sighed but I continued. “You know he’ll climb the walls in anger.”
“Yes, I know, but it won’t be the first time, and I plan to make him see that my compromise was worth it.”
“But equality in the Northlands.” I shook my head. “Magni won’t be the only one throwing a tantrum. We’ve never had a female ruler before.”
“I’ll still be the ruler,” Khan pointed out. “Naming Pearl my co-ruler makes no real difference; she knows I’ll still have the last say, and besides it’s not until the Council has reached full equality, and that should take at least ten to twenty years.”
Pearl looked down, but I still saw the look she exchanged with Athena and it gave me an eerie feeling that Khan underestimated the influence she already had on him. Anyone who was close to them would know that Khan discussed most things with her. I didn’t blame Magni for feeling pushed out by Pearl, and that would only intensify with Khan agreeing to making her his co-ruler.
“Let’s discuss your wedding,” Pearl said with a soft smile growing on her face. “What did you have in mind?”
“Oh, nothing big. With everything going on in the Motherlands and by the border, it’s hardly time for a celebration.” I interlaced my fingers with Athena’s. “Athena is only doing it for my sake anyway, so I was thinking we could go and tell Tristan the good news now and come back later when Magni is awake. That way both he and Tristan can be there and you could perform the ritual.”
