ONE
King
10 years ago
“What is the meaning of this?” my voice booms off the surrounding walls as I stare blankly at the mess.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to. It was an accident!” Tears blur her vision, and my features soften in response to the guilt and fear I see in her eyes.
“What have I told you about magic in the house?”
She lets out a heavy sigh before mumbling, “No magic in the house unless I’m being supervised.”
“Exactly. That’s for your safety and everyone else’s. Do you understand?”
Her eyes cast down as she nods. I gently wipe a stray tear from her cheek. “Don’t cry. There is nothing to cry over. Now, go help in the stables. I’m sure they could use it,” I tell her.
Turning on her heels, she doesn’t say a word as she strides out the door.
Rubbing a hand over my face, I survey the mess that now needs to be cleaned. Green liquid coats the mahogany rug, and glass shards litter the floor. I knew better than to leave it laying around, but Gods, she wasn’t supposed to be in here.
My third in command will no doubt rectify this, and when I ask for an update, her punishment better be fit. I take a seat at my desk, going over the documents to ensure the plans remain intact.
My daughter has always been one for dramatics, and I can only imagine the sob story she has curated for anyone that will listen. And I know she saw Callum on his way in here just by the look on his face. Callum remains my second in command. Although we got off on the wrong foot, he has done well to prove himself. Skepticism still plays a role in every task I assign him, but he has shown, without a doubt, I can trust him.
It’s true what they say: trust is earned, not given. And if his actions tell me one thing, it’s that.
“What did you do to her?” he has the nerve to question me.
“I sent her to see to the stables, after she destroyed these vials,” I explain, though I don’t owe him any justification. His eyes drift to the carnage, and a flash of understanding washes over him. “Now, if you’re done with the absurd questions”—I shoot him a warning look—“we have some things to discuss.”
Callum makes quick work of cleaning up the debris, hardly having to think as he sits in the chair across from me. Shadows easily dissolve whatever stains would’ve lived on the fabric for centuries to come, and the shards quickly rebuild into the jars they once were. After he’s done, his inky shadows retreat back to him, leaving no trace of the mess that was there moments ago.
I take a deep breath, preparing to voice the plan—my plan—for the first time. The details are sparse, only giving Callum the basics of what he needs to know to execute his part. His features stay calm, almost bored, as I finish up my thought. There hasn’tbeen so much as a twitch in his jawline the entire time, but once I finish, an inquisitive look passes over his face. “That’s your plan?”
“Is there something wrong with it?”
“No, not at all. But how can you be so sure? What if you’re wrong? You’re putting all your eggs in one, very small basket,” he explains.
“Yes, well, without risk there’s no reward.”
A few beats pass without him saying anything, so I continue, “I’m hoping I can trust you with this, Callum. But if you’re not up for the job, please let me know, and I’ll find someone who is.” Even as the last word falls from my tongue, we both know there isn’t anyone else. I hide the anxious knots tying in my stomach with ease, not wanting him to know he’s my only option.
However, if he declines, my hand will be forced to end his life. Tragic, really, such talent gone to waste.
“Don’t put words in my mouth,” he pushes through gritted teeth. “You know that’s not the case, but I didn’t know I was signing up for babysitting duty.”
“You should feel honored that I would trust you with such a feat.”
“For how long?”
“As long as it takes.” The room quiets with my admission. He acts as if he’s thinking it over, but we both know he doesn’t have a say in the matter. This is his duty—to me and to his people. There’s a reason I chose him. He’s loyal to a fault, and he will not disappoint.
“Seeing as I don’t have much of a choice, when do I start?”
“You always have a choice, Callum. But I’m pleased to hear you’re making the right one. You will be starting in two weeks’ time. I have some other variables I need to set into motion before then. I hope you understand.”
“Will I not be notified of these other variables?” His arms crossover his chest, a look of confusion written on his face.
