Page 41 of The Warrior
“It’s an official title only. I’ll still be the ruler. I’ve already told Pearl that I don’t intend to consult her on everything.”
“But you already do!” I exclaimed and slammed my palms on the armrests of my chair.
“I don’t blame you for being upset about this. But it’s a long way in the future and until then you’ll remain the second in command.”
I got up from my seat, my eyes narrowed into slits. “I would rather die than take orders from a Momsie.”
Khan exhaled deeply. “I was afraid you’d feel that way.”
My voice was booming as blood rushed through my veins, fueled with the injustice of being overruled in such a humiliating way. “We never used to have women present when important discussions were being made. Now you can’t take a piss without consulting Pearl first.”
Khan picked up a marble cube from his desk and turned it in his hands while keeping his eyes fixed on me. “How about you go have a beer with a friend and digest the information before we discuss it further?”
“What friend? Finn moved to the Motherlands a few hours ago. Boulder is hovering over his pregnant wife.”
“You have other friends.”
I snorted and spread my arms out, looking around the room. “Where? I don’t see anyone. I used to be close to you, but that was before you turned into Pearl’s puppet.”
Khan scowled. “I’m not her puppet.”
“You can’t even see that you’ve been brainwashed by the enemy.”
Slamming the cube down on the table, Khan shouted. “Pearl isnotour enemy!”
When I stormed out of his office, Khan was right on my heels, shouting after me, “I didn’t give you permission to leave.”
I ignored him and steered right in the direction of the office he had made for Pearl only a few doors away. She was sitting in her chair facing the door when I entered.
“The game is up, lady!”
Pearl tilted her head. “Hello, Magni. I assume Khan told you about the Council’s demand for equality in both countries.”
I sputtered, “He did, and I see your fingerprint all over this scheme. You’re like a fucking trickster, distracting my brother with a magic trick, while emptying his pockets with your other hand.”
Khan positioned himself between us.
“What are you accusing me of stealing?” Pearl asked in a calm voice that stood in sharp contrast to my agitated state of mind.
“His sanity, his free will, basically our country,” I sneered. “Once you have power you’ll change everything.”
“Change can be good.”
I pointed an accusing finger at her. “I’m on to you, woman. You plan to make the Northlands a democracy. Admit it.”
Pearl nodded. “I’m a believer in democracy. You’re right about that.”
I spun to Khan. “Ha! There you have it. We kill men for treacherous talk about democracy, yet you want to make her your equal? Over my dead body.”
“You’re overreacting. All of this is in the future, and we should be focusing on the fact that men will be back in power in the Motherlands for the first time in four hundred years.”
“Momsimen.” I wrinkled my nose. “I wantusto be in power. The last real men who don’t cower to women or apologize for being males. What you have negotiated is young boys being stripped of their male pride and emasculated by women before they are allowed to be part of the Council. And you’re willing to give up half of your power of the Northlands for it.”
“Magni, masculinity is much more than war and fighting,” Pearl said. “Our men are strong and proud too.”
I took a step forward, provoked by her words. “Did you just sayour men? At least you’re not hiding whose side you’re on.”
My towering over Pearl was too much for Khan, who pushed me back. “Don’t touch her.”
