Page 13 of The Ruler
“I don’t know.”
“Because this is a great opportunity. Wouldn’t you say it’s time men returned to power in this world?”
“Definitely.” His eyes lit up.
“That woman…” I kept my gaze on the blonde councilwoman, “…holds influence with the council. I’m going to learn as much from her as I can, and before she knows it, she’ll be doing my bidding.”
“How?”
I smiled smugly. “Leave that to me, my friend. That poor woman doesn’t stand a chance against my superior intellect. When she goes back to make changes, she’ll think it’s all her idea.”
“You’re going to brainwash her,” I clarified.
A smug smile spread on my lips. “Something like that.”
Pearl
After my drinking tea in the garden with Christina, Boulder showed me to my room. Christina came along. It was a spacious and very luxurious suite that was at least ten times as big as the room I had back home. I had chosen to live modestly in a house-sharing unit where we each had a room and a bathroom but we shared kitchen and common areas.
In contrast to my place at home, the opulence of this suite was overwhelming. I had never seen such riches in one room: the oriental rugs, the antique books, the furniture in dark wood, and the wallpaper with the golden pattern. If this was my cage – it was a golden one.
“I should probably mention that you’ll be sharing it with your protector,” Boulder said from the door.
“Oh?” I answered distractedly, still looking around in the large suite with the huge bed and two seating areas. “And when do I get to meet my protector?”
“You already did. This is Khan’s room.”
I shot Boulder a sharp glance. “Are you saying Lord Khan will personally protect me and share his accommodations with me?”
“Yup, that’s what he told me.”
My heart beat faster from knowing I had to sleep here with him. Lord Khan was not some slow-thinking soldier I could influence easily. My hope had been to make friends with my protector and help him evolve to see things our way, but Lord Khan had everything to lose and wouldn’t be likely to budge in his ways easily.
I calmed myself by refocusing on Athena, who was now safely reunited with her friends and family because of me. At least there was that!
My eyes fell on the one bed in the room. It was huge, but under no circumstances would I share a bed with Lord Khan. I could sleep on a sofa or the floor if I had to, and there was no need to worry, I told myself. Khan had given me his word that he wouldn’t rape me.
Boulder was just about to leave when he shrugged. “I’ll give you this bit of advice: stay away from Magni.”
“Why?” Christina asked him, looking up at the large man by her side.
“Because Magni is convinced that Pearl knows where Laura is.” Boulder lowered his voice and gave me a pointed look. “I would strongly suggest that you avoid him as much as possible.”
After Magni’s threatening behavior toward me earlier, I already intended to. “Do you think he would harm me?” I asked Boulder, who looked thoughtful.
“I would like to say no, but Magni is a desperate man who wants his wife back, badly.”
I nodded, worrying what would happen when Laura didn’t return.
When Boulder and Christina left, I took a minute to reflect on what Christina had told me in the park. Despite his large frame and intimidating looks, Boulder had a soft spot for her. He must have, since he had let Christina talk him into helping Athena escape.
Only, when they were finally ready to carry out their rescue mission, I had swapped places with Athena and messed it all up.
Christina had told me they were prepared to help me escape too, but of course I couldn’t do that. I’d given my word to Khan and was honor bound.
I sighed at the thought that my coming here was for nothing. Maybe if I hadn’t sacrificed myself, Athena would still be home now and so would Christina.Ifthey had succeeded in their escape.
No. I shook my head. The risk that they would have been caught and severely punished didn’t sit well with me. It was better this way, and I meant what I’d told her in the park. My presence here represented an opportunity to change the heart and minds of the Nmen. My personal safety or well-being would always be less important than the higher good for the world.
