Page 104 of The Ruler
I’d survived my father’s constant rejections and I would survive Pearl’s rejection too. Perversely enough, his harsh words had become the anchor that kept me grounded under pressure, and the pain of losing Pearl would only put layers on my cold façade and make me more ruthless. What ruler needed a soft core anyway? My father sure as hell hadn’t had a soft molecule in his body.
Another memory flashed in my mind’s eye. I was older, eager to be a man at seventeen.
“Are you gonna be a wuss, Sappo? Letting your little brother beat you.” My father’s condescending laugh ground on my pride and I scowled at Magni, who was a bit taller than me now and quickly becoming stronger. We circled each other and I tried to block out our father’s presence, which hung in the air like dark tar making it hard to breathe and think.
Magni attacked me and because I was distracted or maybe due to his impossible speed he knocked me on my ass, twisting my body in a death grip and holding me down.
“That’s my boy – show that girl how a real man fights,” my father cheered him on and when Magni let go and leaped to his feet he received more praise and pats on his shoulder.
“Wanna go again?” Magni grinned at me with his blue eyes glowing. Thirteen and he was almost as well-muscled as me. I was seventeen and should have been able to take him down, but things had changed.
“No.” I shook my head, my body too sore from endless hours of training and my jaw too tense to say more than one word.
Pushing up from the floor, I swept my dark hair back and walked away to the sound of my father and Magni laughing together. By the door, I glanced back seeing the blonde ruler tousling his blonde son’s hair with a look of sheer pride that felt like a thousand knives stabbing at my heart.
My inner walls were dripping red and I sat deep in thought when Finn returned half an hour later. My body felt heavy, like concrete, and I couldn’t get up from my chair. My mouth turned downward, my nostrils were distended from the emotional stress inside me, and I felt a headache brewing just behind my eyes.
“There wasn’t a message, but a messenger,” Finn said and looked as happy as ever. “Can I send her in?”
Not really hearing his words, I gave a curt nod and looked down, summoning my strength.
“May peace surround you.”
My head shot up from the sound of the sweetest voice in the world and there she was – Pearl stood in the doorway radiant and smiling.
“Pearl,” I whispered and blinked as if to make sure my eyes didn’t deceive me.
She closed the door and spoke softly. “I bring a message to you from the council.”
“What?” I cleared my throat. “How did you manage to come back?”
“I made you a promise, didn’t I?” While talking, she walked toward me, and I moved my chair back from my desk and pulled her down on my lap.
Ahh– the scent of Pearl and the feeling of her soft skin against mine. I held her tight to me, burying my face against her neck, unable to speak.
“I thought you would want to see this article.” She lifted her wrist and projected an article with a picture of her and me. I remembered her taking that photo on the day we’d interviewed Archer for the job as a mentor. She had told me we were making history and that she wanted to document it, and I had indulged her and smiled for the camera with an arm around her shoulder.
Historic day for the world, the headline said. My eyes flew over the text.
This article is approved by the council, which wishes to announce that as of today, speaking of the Nmen is no longer considered a crime.
Pearl Pilotti, member of the council and daughter of senior council member and chairwoman, Isobel Pilotti, will be moving to the Northlands where she will work with the Nmen on cultural projects to strengthen the relationship between our nations. Pearl has already spent the last months in the Northlands and during that time she has established a strong connection with the ruler of the Northlands, Khan Aurelius.
Christina Sanders, archeologist and professor in history from New Berkeley University, was the first to go to the Northlands back in May when the ruler requested help with an archeological excavation. Christina has since chosen to marry Alexander Boulder, whom she calls her best friend.
Likewise, Pearl will also be marrying Khan Aurelius, as is tradition in the Northlands. Both Christina and Pearl emphasize that their marriages will be based on mutual respect and love and that they are being treated well by the Nmen.
I looked up to see Pearl’s eyes beaming with excitement. With her on my lap our eyes were almost level. “You still want to marry me?” I whispered.
“I do,” she said and grinned. “I went to battle, armed with my words, and I won the big prize. You!”
My eyes wouldn’t stop blinking and I frowned in confusion. I didn’t feel like a prize with my inner walls infected and bleeding still. Surely if she understood who I really was, she wouldn’t sit on my lap.
“What’s wrong?” she asked and caressed my face.
“I’m no prize,” I said and it sounded harsher than I meant it.
“No, that came out wrong, I’m sorry. You’re much more than that, of course.”
