Page 60 of Healer to the Ash King
“What about the Favored?” I ask. “Have you talked to them about your thoughts on marriage and fidelity?”
The Ash King shoves himself away from me. “I intended this to be a seduction, and here we are, having a serious conversation.” He scoffs a little. “No, I haven’t talked to them.”
“You should, before you eliminate anyone else. You need to know who shares your views on the subject.”
“And what areyourthoughts on the matter? Not that I care,” he adds hastily. “I’m simply curious.”
Emotions surge inside me, so strong I can’t look at him. I look down at the tile floor, biting my lip. “I would never share the man I love. He would be mine only, mine always. And I would be entirely his.”
I already knew that truth about myself, and I’ve felt it more strongly than ever during this competition.
The Ash King stands silent, while I continue staring at the blue and white tiles.
After a moment he says quietly, “I eliminated Vanas tonight. She was brutally honest about the song, which I liked, but she lacked the diplomacy I need from a wife. My bride will have to deal delicately with pompous, arrogant fools at court, and I don’t believe Vanas can handle that. She is lovely, though. It was a difficult decision.”
I nod without speaking.
“Tomorrow will be an activity day for me and the girls,” he continues in the same soft, quiet voice, as if there’s something fragile in the room and he’s trying not to shatter it. “First there will be training and exercise, and then we’ll be enjoying some art. You should join us, in case anyone sprains an ankle or has a fainting spell.”
There’s the faintest hint of humor in his tone, a tentative lure as he tries to draw me out.
“I will be present and observe in my role as Healer, Your Majesty,” I reply.
“Very good. I will see you tomorrow, then.”
Only after the Ash King returns to his room do I realize that I didn’t confront him at all—not about the interlude with Axley, or his temper tantrum when he tossed the man from the balcony, or his decision to hold back the trainers and let me handle an ollpheist on my own.
He kept Axley in the competition, even after she insulted him on the balcony. Yet he eliminated Vanas, a good-hearted person who was only guilty of honesty.
And then he dared to tell me,You won’t win my heart or my throne.
As if I want his stupid heart or his godsdamned throne. He should be so lucky.
He tore me from my home and threatened to keep me here indefinitely, even after the competition. And what’s in this for me, other than clothes and lodging? I’ve not seen a coin of the promised compensation.
Andhe stole my neighbor’s horse. Stole it. When he has everything and everyone at his disposal.
I keep stewing over everything while I put on a nightdress and braid my hair. The longer I think about it, the angrier I get, until I’m positive I won’t be able to sleep until I confront him. I have to let him know what I feel, how much I resent every decision he’s made tonight.
I march over to the door between our rooms and try the handle.
I expected it to be locked. I didn’t expect the handle to bend so easily or the door to swing open so quickly.
And now I can’t retreat.
Oh gods—I’m probably going to be incinerated.
But I’ve come this far, so I steel myself with my righteous rage, and I step boldly into his room.
21
The Ash King’s chamber is far more sparsely furnished than I expected, probably because he tends to set his possessions on fire from time to time. He lies in the center of the huge bed, bare-chested, propped on pillows, with a book in his hands and his pale hair in a messy knot.
He’s staring at me, completely shocked by my entrance.
“You almost let me die today,” I accuse him.
He closes the book. “And?”
