Page 124 of The Ruler
“Yes, that’s a good plan,” Kya agreed and waited for me to speak.
“That could work,” I said. “All right, I’ll make sure to mention that you two are visitors.”
Magni banged his fist down on the table. “I don’t want Kya there, and as her protector I should make that decision.”
“How about you decide to let her breathe just a little?” Archer exclaimed and narrowed his eyes at Magni. “Kya isn’t Laura, and she won’t fucking run away. You don’t have to sit on top of her the whole time.”
“You just argued yourself that she shouldn’t go,” Magni accused.
“Yeah, but I’m not banging the table and scaring her.”
An awkward silence spread around the table as the two men stared each other down.
I was the ruler, and although Magni did have a point, I couldn’t let him dictate to me. “The wedding will be this Saturday,” I said calmly, ignoring the power struggle between my brother and Archer. “Kya, you’ll be escorted by Magni and Raven will be under the protection of Archer.” I got up. “Magni, will you walk with me? I’ll need your input on the practicalities of the wedding.”
He pushed his chair back and rushed out ahead of me, mad from his confrontation with Archer and from my overruling him.
“Thank you for lunch,” I said to Boulder. “The chop was delicious.”
“You’re welcome.” He grinned at me. “I shot that wild boar myself when I was out with the rangers. You should have come.”
All three women looked repulsed, so I gave a short answer.
“Next time maybe.”
CHAPTER 28
The Trap
Khan
Magni was pacing outside the house close to the drone that Pearl and I had arrived in.
“Let’s walk,” I said and pointed toward the forest.
“Fine.” He came along, not speaking but throwing off anger and frustration in spades.
“You oppose my marriage to Pearl,” I said when we were well into the forest, following a path that I had walked before.
“I told you that I don’t trust her,” he said in a harsh tone.
“Yes, you did. And I told you thatItrust her.”
“Women aren’t like us; they do irrational things.” He grabbed a branch and broke off a long twig, picking it into pieces as we walked. “How the fuck can you be so sure Pearl isn’t a spy? Didn’t I tell you the council would make it look like they’re opposed to her being here, when in reality she was planted here by them to begin with.”
“I have to trust my gut.”
“Then you’re a fool. You really think the council would let her get back here to marry you if she wasn’t on some kind of mission?”
“No, of course not,” I scoffed. “They only agreed to let her talk in the council after Christina and the others filmed a video where Boulder strategically accused Pearl of making me soft in the head.” I gave him a pointed stare. “I would have to be an imbecile not to realize that they sent her here hoping she’ll soften me and make us more civilized.”
Magni stopped abruptly and pushed at my shoulders. “See, that’s what I’m talking about. You can’t fucking let them change us. We’re the last free men and I won’t allow the Momsies to infiltrate us like that. Don’t you see we’re under attack here?”
“Attack?” My lips lifted in a smile. “You forget that it goes both ways.”
“Huh?”
I brought up the article that Pearl had shared with me yesterday. “They’re making it legal to mention us; do you realize how big that is?”
