Page 117 of The King's Weapon

“Thank you, Father,” Kallie said.

Chapter36

Kallie dipped her head,letting the king lead her away from the railing, away from the blood that stained the deck. While they walked, she fought the urge to look over her shoulder, to see those figures one last time. But she knew what she would see. And she had made her choice long ago. She kept her gaze forward.

"We have much to discuss, Kalisandre," King Domitius said as he reached the door of a cabin. He pushed open the door, and Kallie followed him into the room.

The latch of the door clicked into place behind her, and Kallie took a deep breath, clearing her mind of the battle happening inside of it.

Face emotionless, she stated, "You're early."

He shrugged. "The Frenzians were getting . . . " King Domitius waved his hand in the air, "restless. When they had gotten word that I had ended my search for you, they wanted answers."

She huffed. "Why bother sending a search party for me anyway? I thought we had agreed I could handle this."

"Unfortunately, not everything can go as planned. Someone else had discovered your carriage before I did. Then word spread quickly of your disappearance, so I had no other choice, lest they think me an unfit father. And what would that do to my reputation as king?"

She refrained from rolling her eyes. He was always looking out for his reputation. But a small part of her was thankful he had not thought she was incapable of accomplishing her task.

Blood or not, he was her father.

"Enough about that." He headed toward a small liquor cabinet and spoke over his shoulder, "Were you successful or not in learning how to strengthen your gift?"

Still, there it was. The doubt.

She put her hands behind her back, clasping them together, steadying them. "I did. Though I must say. . ." Kallie hesitated.

He grabbed two glasses from the small cabinet and sighed. "Out with it, Kalisandre."

She had thought she would have plenty of time to form the questions roaming in her mind. She didn't think she would have to confess what she knew so soon. Staring at the king's back, she forced her voice to remain neutral, "You did not tell me my mother was alive."

She noticed the slightest pause in his movement, but then Domitius continued to pour the liquor into two glasses. "And what of it?”

Kallie pursed her lips but wiped the expression from her face as quickly as it came. "And what about the men who kidnapped me? You told me their leader was able to hear people's thoughts, but you left out the fact that he, along with his twin, were my brothers."

"Was he now? Hm. My spies must have left that detail out." He turned, glasses in hand, brow quirked, gaze questioning. "Does that change anything, Kalisandre?"

Her gaze fell to the red plush carpet. She would not answer that question. Not without lying. And the king would see right through the lie.

He stepped forward and the floorboards beneath the carpet creaked from his weight. He offered her one of the glasses. And when she grabbed it, he clinked his glass against hers. The piercing sound echoed in her ears. "Who has cared for you all this time, Kalisandre?"

"You," she answered.

He took a sip, but Kallie had yet to raise her glass. "And who has trained you all of these years?"

"You," she repeated.

"And who has promised you power, the power you otherwise would not have access to?"

Her gaze flicked up to his. "You."

"That's right." He stood in front of her, staring down at her. "Has your time here softened you?"

Kallie scoffed in disbelief. "Of course not."

"Then what is the problem? Do not tell me you have grown to care for our enemy?"

Her mouth fell open, but she could not string together any words. On the one hand, he was right. Over the past few weeks, she had grown to care for the family she didn't know existed. And her shaking hands behind her back were a clear indication of that truth. But on the other hand. . .

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