Page 117 of The Ruler
Bending down to look Raven straight in the eyes, I placed my hands on her shoulders, and hid the tremor in my voice. “Is Magni sleeping in Kya’s room?”
“Ahem,” the sound of a male clearing his throat behind me made me straighten up and turn to see Magni.Oh, Mother Nature, I’d forgotten just how much of a giant he was, and did he wear all that leather just to get on my nerves? Magni had shaved the sides of his head, and the rest of his hair was made into a rough dirty blond braid. With his scars, it made him resemble a Viking warrior from the past.
“Welcome back, Pearl,” he said but there was no joy in his eyes.
“Thank you.” My words were clipped as I was stunned with disappointment that Khan would have ordered Magni to sleep in Kya’s room when I’d specifically told him I wouldn’t allow it. It was hard enough for me to accept that Khan insisted his brother watch over Kya as if Archer was a danger to her. Personally, I trusted Archer more than Magni, but Khan saw it differently, arguing that Magni was already married whereas Archer would be longing for a wife and was therefore more likely to try something stupid.
“They’re waiting for you outside,” Magni said impassively.
Raven skipped along, clearly excited about the surprise and I walked out to see Boulder, Khan, Archer, Christina, and Kya waiting outside and Raven joining their group.
“You have to come over here,” Khan instructed and when I did, he spun me around and pointed to the entrance where a sign hung.
Pearl Pilotti School of Inclusion.
“You named the school after me?” I said, deeply touched.
“Of course – it was your idea to begin with,” Khan said and pulled me against his chest, resting his head on my shoulder from behind.
“Thank you so much.” I smiled at them all, holding back from turning to confront Khan with the situation about Kya and Magni.
“Sorry that we didn’t have the sign ready when you arrived, but good thing that Raven was here to keep you occupied while we mounted it, huh?” Boulder tousled Raven’s hair. “You did good, Shorty.”
She grinned up at him, clearly enjoying the attention.
“Kya, do you mind if I have a word with you? I just have a few questions,” I said and smiled innocently.
“Of course.” Kya spread her hands, signaling she was open for any question.
“It’s easier if we go into the classroom,” I suggested and led the way to get her out of ear’s reach of the others.
“Isn’t it amazing?” she said when we were alone in the old church room, now turned classroom. “I love the mix of old and new in here – and I’m sure Raven showed you the ceiling?”
“Yes.” I looked up. “It’s wonderful.”
“You know, the little girl that grew up is you, right?” Kya was looking up at the ceiling.
“I figured and I’m deeply honored. Thank you!” I smiled. “But Kya…” My tone turned low and serious. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?” She angled her head with a small smile.
“Magni – has he been behaving?” I asked.
She looked back over her shoulder before meeting my eyes with a serious expression. “He takes his duties as my protectorveryseriously.”
“Has he touched you?”
Her forehead furrowed. “Yeah, but nothing I can’t handle.”
A small scoff escaped me. “I don’t think any woman couldhandlehim if he became determined that he wanted something from you. He’s strong as an ox!”
Her eyes rounded. “Wait, are you afraid of him hurting me?”
“You can tell me if he has,” I said in a low solemn voice.
Kya scrunched up her face and gave a small incredulous laugh. “You don’t know Magni very well, do you?”
“What do you mean?”
