Page 5 of The Ruler
“Any migraines lately?”
“It’s nothing, darling, don’t worry about it.”
“Did the doctors find out what’s causing them then?” There was hope in my voice.
She shook her head and lifted her hand in the air to let the butterfly take off.
“No,” she breathed. “They’re still searching.”
“Could it be psychosomatic?” I asked softly, spilling what had been on my mind for the past weeks.
“Pearl.” Her tone was reprimanding.
“I’m sorry, but how many tests have to come back negative before I’m allowed to ask that question? You know I’m hoping for it to be nothing.”
My mother’s avatar stepped into my space and hugged me. “Be safe, my child, and never forget.”
“I know,” I said with a sad smile and a lump in my throat. “You love me.”
CHAPTER 2
Negotiations
Pearl
Like the last time I’d spoken to the Ruler of the Northlands, I joined him in his virtual room. I would have preferred to decide on the virtual reality setting for our meeting, but Khan had beat me to it. Normally, I choose a tranquil atmosphere like a park, a creek, or a bench with a view of a beach or mountains – preferably with animals foraging and drinking in the background because it provides a calm atmosphere. Khan’s chosen setting was an office.
“Good evening, Councilwoman,” Khan said and invited me to take a seat in a leather chair opposite his desk. The leather offended me but I wasn’t here to talk animal welfare or point out to him that a chair like that was illegal in the Motherlands.
“How convenient that you’re finally open to our having a direct line of communication. I have to admit that I always found it tedious to send messages over the border.” He leaned back in his seat with a smug smile. “It’s not like we live in the fucking medieval days.”
I gave him my most patient smile. “As I told you last time, we’re merely excluding you from the use of our communication network for safety reasons. I’m sure you can understand that.”
He snorted lightly in response. “And are you sure this line is secure?”
“It might be almost four hundred years since the Toxic War, but we’re very aware how cyberattacks helped destroy our planet and now that we have established a peaceful existence, we’re not going to jeopardize it by giving any outsiders access.”
“Outsiders.” Khan crossed his arms.
“Outsiders,” I repeated calmly. “Your ancestors chose to separate themselves when they refused to be ruled by women.”
“And we’re grateful for it,” Khan stated. “We’re free and proud men.”
“Who kidnap women,” I said sharply, breaking my normally permanent friendly attitude.
He frowned. “It’s unfortunate that my brother broke the treaty. In all honesty, I’m not happy about it either, but Laura is my brother’s wife and her disappearance has put us under pressure. You can have Athena back as soon as you deliver Laura to us.”
“No, we need to have Athena returned immediately,” I stated clearly.
Khan narrowed his dark eyes and with his arms still crossed he signaled that he wouldn’t budge on this.
Stubborn man,I thought and asked, “Is this how your office really looks?” Unhurried, I let my eyes glide around the room, soaking up clues about Khan Aurelius.
“More or less,” he confirmed.
Behind him was a bookshelf full of what looked to be antique books and in front of him on the side of the table was a chessboard.
“Lord Khan,” I said softly. “You seem like an intelligent and educated person, and from the chess game on your desk, I assume strategy is your forte too.”
