Page 89 of The Ruler
Normally, I enjoyed meeting her, but this time, I had news for her that I knew she wouldn’t like.
“Hello, Pearl.” She gave me a warm smile and moved to take my hands when she stopped. “What’s wrong?”
“Mom,” I said softly and forced myself to just spit it out. “I’ve decided to stay.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m no longer a hostage, but I’m choosing to stay.”
Her hands dropped and her forehead furrowed. “For how long?”
It was hard to meet her eyes, knowing that my decision would tear her heart out, but I owed it to her and took a deep breath before I answered softly, “Lord Khan and I love each other.”
She shook her head lightly as if not understanding. “What are you saying?”
“Mom.” I placed my hand on her upper arms. “I don’t expect you to understand, but Khan makes me really happy. He’s my match in so many ways?”
“You don’t know what you’re saying.” Her eyes were big and round. “He’s a man of the north, a carnivore, and a dictator who controls and oppresses his people. You havenothingin common with him.”
“We have our differences, but he’s intelligent, protective, kind, and he makes me laugh and feel wildly alive.”
Straightening up, my mother sharpened her voice. “You are a councilwoman; your obligation is toourpeople. What you’re doing is selfish and childish.”
I looked down knowing that she was right.
“I want you to come back and report to the council,” she said firmly.
“No.” I lifted my face. “If I come back, I won’t see him again. We both know that.”
She was quiet for a moment.
“He has brainwashed you, Pearl. You need to come back and get your thoughts in order. What you feel is an infatuation but with some distance you’ll be able to think rationally again.”
“I’m not being forced, Mom.”
“Maybe not, but you’re being manipulated. He wants not you but the influence you come with.”
“What influence? Staying here will make me lose everything,” I argued.
My mother wrung her hands and her voice rose slightly. “Then why would you stay?”
“Because my heart is here, with him.”
“No.” Isobel held up a hand as if to shield herself from my words. “I don’t believe you, and I demand that you come home to discuss this.”
“I can’t.”
“You’re no longer a hostage. You can come home now.”
“No, not unless you guarantee that I can return to Khan. Will you give me that guarantee?”
Isobel spun her back to me and spoke softly. “This conversation has me deeply troubled. I will have to involve the council, and we’ll expect you home immediately to explain yourself.”
I didn’t get a chance to reply before she disappeared, ending the conversation.
Sighing, I exited too. Doubt filled my mind, and fear that the school project would be cancelled because of me.
“I told her,” I said softly when I found Khan in his study.
