He sat in the king’s quarters on theDesapiadado, the ship that had carried Elazar from Argrid to Grace Loray. The ship that had always been Elazar’s, a large, sleek vessel for an opulent, vengeful king.
Ben felt utterly small sitting at the desk. The curvedVof the Church stared down at him from the ceiling, taking up the whole expanse in giant white tiles. Shelves for Church tomes lined the walls, the books held in place by statues of the Graces. All of it watched Ben, and he watched it, in a tentative, awkward peace.
Returning to Argrid would be just like this, magnified by anger and confusion. The people there were devoted to the Pious God. They feared magic still. They had built their lives around Elazar’s edicts.
How would they respond to Ben as king, the errant, traitorous son who had been paraded as a heretic? Would they surrender to him as the defensors had, willing to believe in his station as chosen by the Pious God? Or would they revolt the moment he set foot in Deza?
Ben closed his eyes, head dropping back against the chair as he pinched the bridge of his nose. The ship swayed beneath him.
He had two weeks until he reached Deza. Two weeks to figure out how to lead people who believed a king was more god than man.
That was where he should start, perhaps. In showing Argrid that he was a person. He was human and flawed, plus more. Would they revel in seeing their leader be humble? Would it only solidify their fears and fury? No matter what Ben chose to do, he risked uprisings and lost lives.
His heart tripped and he swallowed hard.
A knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“This ship is too fancy. I do not like it.”
Ben smiled. He dropped his hand and looked across the desk at Gunnar, who kicked the door shut behind him.
“On behalf of the Argridian crown, I apologize,” Ben said. “I can arrange a smaller vessel, if you like? A prison transport, maybe. Remind you of the old days.”
“The Argridian king-in-waiting has a sense of humor.”Gunnar blanched. “Wait. Does this mean I must call youElazarwhen you are crowned?”
Ben recoiled. The name was as much a title asKing, but his father had tarnished it. Maybe, with some distance, he could hear himself called that. But not now.
“No.” Ben leaned forward, elbows on the desk. He knocked something to the side—a small metal tin.
Nayeli had given it to him as they’d embarked. She had given the other one to Vex.
Budwig Beans.
Ben hadn’t expected Vex to come to Deza, but he’d offered.“Maybe someday,”his cousin had said, and hugged him for a solid five minutes.
Vex belonged in Grace Loray, but Ben couldn’t stop the feeling of abandonment when he felt the ship carrying him farther away from the only family he truly cared about.
“I’ll be king soon,” Ben said, staring at his desk until he could compose himself. “I have the ability to fulfill my promise to you.”
Gunnar frowned. “What?”
“I promised to help you with the Mechtlands. To bring peace there. You helped my—”
“Are you crazy, Benat?”
Ben jolted. Gunnar grinned and shrugged.
“Vex taught me useful Argridian words.Crazy.Anyway. No, Benat. Your country needs your focus now. Do not worry for mine. Seeing Grace Loray and Argrid comingtogether, it has inspired me that the Mechtlands have potential as well. There is hope.”
Ben tried to keep his face impassive. “You do not wish to return to the Mechtlands now?”
“Why do you always try to send me back to the Mechtlands? Do you not want me here?”
Ben shot to his feet. “Of course I want you here.” He felt his face flare red. “But I want—I wantyouto want to be here. I want you to—”
“You always try to put your needs on me. I am not you, Benat. I do not need to return to the Mechtlands to help it—I can help it at your side.”
