Page 53 of Ruler

The living room is as spacious and luxurious as I was expecting from the rest of the house. Off-white walls and furniture creates a stark contrast to the black floor, and the gilded skirting boards are pretentious enough it actually works. Definitely a room worthy of the Ruler.

Pretty as the room is, that’s not what catches my attention the most. The lack of personality is almost suffocating. There are no pictures, ornaments, or knick-knacks. Everything is the highest quality and very lush, but there’s nothing warm or personal about it. I bet the room is sterile enough to perform an operation without risking infection.

While they get situated and argue about one of life’s big questions; to eat or not to eat, I excuse myself to the bathroom. Once I’m done, I return to find that food has already been carted in and served. When I eye the chocolate-covered strawberries and brownies, I have to admit this life isn’t all bad. Especially not when I get to stretch out on the couch, with Kai behind me, and Liam and Gus on either side of me.

“Let’s continue,” I urge as soon as I’ve had something to eat and my painkillers kick in. I turn my gaze to Abel who looks like the worst is yet to come. “I really appreciate that this is hard for you. And I know it must feel like a betrayal, but we need to get to the main event. We can’t keep skirting around all of it.”

Abel locks eyes with me and nods. His lips are set in a grim line that tells me exactly how bad the rest is.

Deciding I need to help us get back on track, I ask, “Why is Marian after me? Was it really only to get Gus into the Leader spot, or is there more to it?”

The Drákon doctor pales at my question. “I don’t know exactly what her plan is, and that’s part of the larger issue. You’re aware she was promised to Alexander, but that he chose Gemma, right?”

I nod.

“That was a big insult to both Marian and Uther. Though I can only guess, I don’t think they ever got over it. Nikolaos was her consolation prize, one she took as an insult.” Abel’s voice is hoarse from all the talking, so he pauses to take a sip of water.

Liam proves his loyalty to our small family when he snorts, “Consolation prize? If you ask me, Nikolaos was the better option.”

I don’t even care that he’s insulting my dead dad while making Gus feel better about his, because a part of me agrees. I’m not blind to the sacrifices my dad has made. No one needs to spell it out for me, I’m already painfully aware that his choices have to be driven by a need to protect me, and possibly my mom. But regardless of his reasons, I just can’t forgive faking his own death.

“We get it,” Kai says harshly. “Marian Drákon didn’t handle rejection well. So she wanted to create her own odds in the form of Morgana and Gus.”

Although the facts have been in front of my face for months, it’s not until Kai says it out loud that I fully comprehend the enormity of what my dad’s rejection set in motion.

Looking at Abel, I get the sense that all our questions and interruptions are keeping him from saying what we need to hear. So despite having a million more things I want to ask, I bite my lip to stop myself from blurting something out while I wait for him to start talking again.

Liam shifts next to me, handing me some more strawberries, that I gratefully accept. They really are delicious. While eating one, I look at Morgana. I hate how tense she looks, not that I can’t fault her. She is the odd one out.

I can’t help wondering if Kai will ever allow her a seat on his council. If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think he will. At least not unless I intervene, which I’m not sure I should do. Maybe I should just start my own council. A rivaling one where we eat chocolate and discuss… I don’t even know. I’ve never been into celebrity gossip, though I’m sure I could give it a go during a weekly or biweekly meeting.

“Why do you have guards who carry the infinity wyvern?” Gus suddenly asks. “That’s the symbol of the Tribunal, right? So why are they protecting you, Abel? Are you part of them?”

The Drákon doctor wrings his hands nervously, and he keeps peeking towards the door like he’s expecting someone to burst through it at any time.

“You’re right,” he admits, speaking so softly it’s hard to hear him. “That is indeed the symbol of the Tribunal, and those guys are trained by them as well. The Tribunal is… it’s not three people, per se. It’s three different organizations who make it up. Back in the day, they served the Leader. But since Alexander broke his promise to his dad, my brother, and married Gemma, the Tribunal overthrew him and demanded they be in charge.”

I gasp. “So who are they? Who’s pulling the strings, Abel?”

A knot of dread forms in my stomach, telling me I already have the answer.

Before Abel can answer, the windows are shattered and bullets rain down around us.

Screaming, Morgana throws herself down on the ground, wrapping her arms protectively around her head. Liam grabs me and pretty much throws me over the end of the couch so I’m hidden.

Men in hooded robes that hide their faces enter through the shattered floor to ceiling windows, all while chantingDrákon to ápeiro den koimátai pia.

“Stay down,” Gus growls when I try to crawl back to them.

Knowing there’s nothing I can do, I nod, but I don’t retreat completely. I keep my eyes peeled on the fight that’s erupting. Liam throws two knives in rapid succession, taking two intruders down. Gus has his gun out, shooting at the men while discreetly placing himself in front of me. Kai has launched himself at the closest man, brutally slamming his head against the edge of the glass table until there’s a sickening crunch.

Morgana gets to her feet, unlocking her bracelet like she did when we were in Greece last summer, before my marriage to Kai. Her gun might be small, but I know she makes up for it in precision.

It hurts that I’m the only one not fighting, but I’m also smart enough to know that I can’t do anything to help. The pain medication has made me more sluggish, and I don’t even have my fucking knife.

Before I can refocus on what’s going on, Gus shouts frantically. I don’t even get the chance to realize what’s going on, before he’s being tossed across the room. Quick as a viper, Liam takes Gus’ place.

“Look out,” I scream when one of the intruders lifts a gun and points it at my consort.

---