Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“I see my son feels his power growing with his alliance with a Nadirii,” Gallienus said softly. “Careful, Cassius. The weight you carry at this table will not translate in Sky Bay.”
“Why don’t we test that when we get home, me riding into Sky Bay with a Nadirii at my side, the might of their warriors trooping at my back, indication that the sons of the poor will no longer fall to bloodlust and the whims of the wealthy when we repeatedly clash with a warrior nation? What do you say, Father? Shall we?” Cassius invited.
“You do not want to cross me,” Gallienus returned, and Cassius’s eyebrows shot up.
“Do you even know me?” he asked.
True bit his lip and lifted his eyes to the ceiling.
Mars and Aramus did not bite their lips.
Their amusement was auditory.
“I fear I won’t be able to attend your nuptials, King Mars, for I’ll soon be away to Airen,” Gallienus announced.
“If you think to leave,” Cassius started quietly, “and go home to amass support against the crown prince, I swear to all the gods, Father, I’ll plan one last war. To usurp your throne.”
“You never wanted it,” Gallienus retorted.
“I’ve since received a promise from my magnificently comely bride to provide an heir. Thus I’ve changed my mind,” Cassius fired back. “You will stay here, and we’ll discuss you making me regent.”
Gallienus’s eyes grew huge.
The air in the room went static.
True noticed his father straighten in his seat.
“Drunk on a Nadirii?” Gallienus sneered. “Already?”
“Tired of your shite,” Cassius returned. “A long time ago. Now sit. You aren’t going anywhere.”
“I’ll go where I please,” Gallienus rejoined. “My guard, my son, is five times yours.”
“Mine is even larger,” Mars drawled, and Gallienus’s eyes shot to the dark king.
Aramus was back to studying his fingernails, but doing it, he said, “Mine is as well.”
“Don’t think to turn to the Nadirii,” Cassius advised.
“Did you plan this?” Gallienus demanded of his son.
Cassius shook his head. “No. But you prod the bear, my king, you risk his claws.”
“You are no bear,” Gallienus spat.
“You’re correct. But I didn’t disrespect the diplomatic table of King Mars and I didn’t challenge King Aramus. You did. But I’ll remind you, my king, you cannot kill me, or you not only face the Beast, you face four nations who know they will have to face the Beast because of you. That is where my power lies. And you’d do well not to forget it.”
“And on a whim, you’re regent?” Gallienus asked disbelievingly.
“It would seem,” Cassius muttered.
“This is preposterous,” Gallienus huffed.
“And what do you think those of our land will think of you angering the Protector of the Seas by making demands of his rule when you barely know the man?” Cassius asked. “Aramus was not friend. Or not your friend,” Cassius stressed, making his point very clear. “He was also not enemy. You sought to make him enemy. No land needs an enemy. Especially not a powerful one. Our armada is miniscule compared to his. He simply has to line our shores and strike a match to cannons and our ports would be gone. Warehouses. Homes. People. And I’ll note, Father, you’re standing there, blustering in fury, when the same type of demand was made of you.”
Gallienus looked to Aramus, “If you so need your bounden, have them.”
“My gratitude for your permission, but I think we’ve gone much past that, old king,” Aramus murmured.
Gallienus’s face was getting even more red.
And True’s father was doing nothing.
“Let us stop here,” True suggested. “Take a moment. Break for some luncheon. Cool heads. There is much more happening here than a single discussion can settle. But nothing is settled well in anger.”
“I don’t need a cool head to know—” Gallienus began.
True looked the king right in his eyes and said quietly and simply, “Gallienus.”
The man shut his mouth.
“We can reconvene this afternoon,” True continued.
“I’ll be indisposed,” Gallienus announced.
“Shall we accept Cassius as your proxy?” Mars inquired.
“I’ll be here,” Gallienus said between clenched teeth.
“Excellent,” Mars murmured.
Gallienus moved around the table and swept out of the room.
True’s father rose.
“Son, we need to speak,” he declared.
True looked him in the eyes as well.
“We do,” he agreed. “But not now.”
“We need—”
“Not…now,” True stated firmly.
His father stared him in the eyes.
This didn’t last long before he said, “Gentlemen,” rounded the table and swept out.
After the door shut on King Wilmer, Cassius quipped, “I’d like to have that ability. To say my father’s name and have him shut his mouth and walk out of a room.”
No one laughed at the quip as Mars said quietly, “Cassius. Regent?”
Cassius sighed, got up, went to the door, opened it, looked into the hall and jerked up his chin.
His man Macrinus entered and closed the door behind him.
“Shadow my father and his personal guard. If he sends a bird, shoot it from the sky. If he sends men, waylay them,” he ordered.