Page 15 of The Warrior
“What?” Magni asked her as if she had argued against him.
“Nothing, I’m just excited that the Motlander women might nurture some of the less violent traits in you Nmen. It should be interesting to see the men impress women with more than just their muscles.”
I almost laughed at Athena’s words. The concept of weaker men marrying women would turn everything upside down in the Northlands. But then again, maybe that would fit my agenda of equality in general.
Magni glared at Athena and crossed his arms. “Yeah, I’m sure you’d like to see us write love poems and jump around and do ballet and shit, but if I were you, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
I spoke up. “Love poems sounds nice. An Nman expressing his feelings would be very refreshing.”
Magni’s foot was tapping under the table and when he met my eyes there was a promise of another spanking for provoking him in public. Another surge of excitement shot through me from the sizzling energy between us. I was annoyed with him. And I was drawn to him.Argh… folding my hands under the table, I pressed my nails into my palm to distract myself. Magni made me lose my focus. He made me forget everything I’d learned in the Motherlands about female empowerment. I was slipping back to adoring him, and wanting to make him happy.
Yesterday when I returned to meet Magni again, I’d been so convinced that I was strong enough to stand my ground. Now, I was beginning to doubt myself.
My nails dug deeper into my skin.I want him to respect me and treat me as an equal.
As if sent from above, the perfect opportunity to earn his respect presented itself right after the meeting when we all stood in the entrance hall of the Gray Mansion. It was a conversation between Finn and Khan that caught my ear.
“I thought you said all the men who had tried to cross the border had been captured,” Finn said.
Khan crossed his arms. “Of course I would say that in public. I was trying to stop other men from doing the same.”
“Wait, what was that?” I walked over to the group of men. “I thought I heard you say that some men crossed the border without being captured.”
Khan exchanged a glance with Magni before he answered. “I’m afraid so. The Council has provided photos from the border drones, asking us to identify the men.”
“How many are we talking about?” I asked in a hard voice. My protective instincts flaring up just thinking about the kind people I’d come to care for in the Motherlands being hurt.
“Not many. If the latest numbers that we received this morning are accurate, they caught two hundred and thirty-five men who tried to cross the border unauthorized.”
“And how many didn’t they catch?”
Khan hesitated before he answered. “Nineteen got away from them, and twelve of them have us concerned. It’ll be all right. I’m going to offer the Council to send in the Huntsmen to locate and arrest the Nmen. We’ll bring them back here before they do any harm and bring shame to our name.”
“I told you,” Pearl brushed her hair back in frustration, "the Council will never allow you to send in soldiers. They will insist on solving this problem themselves.”
Magni spoke up in his deep voice. “Your mediators aren’t equipped to deal with men like that. They could be armed, and I’ve seen their profiles. At least five of them are dangerous criminals with violent backgrounds.”
Athena gasped. “Why would you allow anyone who is dangerous to walk around?”
“These men took their punishment already. Unless they’re given a life sentence they’re allowed back out when they’ve served their time,” Khan explained.
This was my chance to make a difference and earn Magni’s respect. Flicking my long ginger-red hair back and straightening my back, I declared, “If the Motherlands won’t allow any of our male warriors to go, then I’ll do it. I’m the best female warrior that we have.”
Alexander Boulder snorted. “A female warrior – ha, that’s a good one.”
That provoked me. I had worked my ass off to learn how to fight these six months, and my sensei had praised me for my speed and strength. Pushing my chest out, I narrowed my eyes. “You won’t be laughing when I track those fuckers down and bring them back here.”
Everyone grew silent just staring at me in disbelief for a few seconds.
“You’re serious?” Pearl asked.
“Why not? I’m not letting the Motherlands deal with those twisted Nmen by themselves." I would prove to Magni that I was anything but weak and helpless.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Magni said in a no-bullshit tone of voice. “You’re staying right here where I can keep you safe.”
I hardened my jaw, ignoring my hammering heart. “That’s not up to you! None of your Huntsmen will be allowed in, and I’m going.”
Magni cut me off “The fuck you are. You just got back and the two of us have things to discuss.”
