Page 42 of The Ruler
“Get up.” I kicked the bed and it made him open an eye and grunt.
“Get up,” I repeated and tore his covers off, slamming his naked back with my palm.
“Go away,” he grunted and turned on his side.
“Get up, get up, get up,” I shouted and flicked my finger against his forehead.
With a groan, Magni pushed up on his elbows and shook his head. “What time is it?”
“Almost eleven.”
“Then why are you waking me?” He yawned and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
“Because I want you to get sober and ready. We’re going to the east coast.”
“What?” Magni covered his eyes as if the light hurt him. “No, I’m not going anywhere.”
That made me snap. Grabbing Magni under his arms, I yanked and pushed him into his bathroom and shoved him under the cold shower.
“Asshole,” he shouted at me as icy water cascaded from all sides.
“Are you awake now?” I shouted angrily.
He scowled and gave his own command to the shower.
“Turn off water and dry.”
He was awake; with satisfaction I closed the shower door.
It only took a minute until Magni came out, naked but clean and clearly annoyed with me.
“It’s time to go and beat up some assholes,” I announced.
He shook his head and grunted softly. “That’s all I do lately and it’s getting old. I’m not interested.”
His rejection pissed me off and I got in his face again. “I don’t care if you’re interested. It’s time for you to pull your head out of your ass and do your job!”
“Fuck off!” Magni shoved at me.
“No.” I shoved back. “How many times do I have to tell you Laura isn’t coming back? That ship has sailed, and it’s time you fucking wake up and accept it.”
His jaw tensed and pain crossed his face.
“Do your job,” I repeated in a no-bullshit tone.
“Or what?” he snarled, low.
“Or you might lose the rest of your family too.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Think about it. Dad was the first ruler to pass on peacefully and only because he had two strong sons to protect him. Who do I have right now?” My voice was trembling with agitation. I’d been patient with my brother, sympathetic to his pain even, but Magni’s state of mind was a danger to my position as a ruler.
“Who has got my back?” I asked harshly. “Do you?” My stare was intense and made him look away, his eyes red and puffy from sleep and what I assumed was a massive hangover.
“All I’ve got is a drunken, lovesick brother who can’t get over a woman. You’re a joke, man, and you make me look weak.” I threw the last words accusingly at him and he took a step back as if hit by a physical blow. I was glad of it. At least that meant he’d heard me.
“I know…” I said and had one hand on my hip and the other pointing at him, “…that somewhere underneath that alcohol-infused self-pity you’ve been indulging in for the past months, there’s a strong, brave warrior. And I want my brother back.”
