Kevan, on the other hand, dropped into his seat and rubbed his thick brown beard. “There’s a reason neither of us were named Verdian’s heir,” he said, tone infused with a hint of indignation. “We have no royal blood. We are unrelated to the former king and are only related to Verdian through our shared mother. She remarried after the death of Verdian’s father, and it was his blood that put Verdian on the throne.”
Morkai barked a laugh. “They named a bastard a king. If they can do that, then surely a king’s brother can be named heir.”
Teryn bristled, hands curling into fists.
Kevan scoffed. “You saytheylike you weren’t a part of those negotiations. You abdicated your claim and supported your bastard brother.”
Teryn watched closely to see if Morkai showed any surprise, any sign that he was caught off guard by what Kevan had said. Morkai may have gleaned much about Cora, Dimetreus, and the current state of political unrest, but he knew little about Teryn’s personal matters.
Morkai, however, was unfazed. He turned a calculating grin on the man. “Just like I’m supporting you. If you must know why I refused my birthright, it was because I would have had to marry Verdian’s daughter to keep it. I wasn’t willing to do that. On the other hand, I was more than happy to wed Aveline, but she’s proven to be as weak as her brother. Now I only want what is best for Khero, and I am certain that is me. And what’s best for Selay is you, Kevan.”
Ulrich stepped closer. “You think we can get Verdian to agree to these terms? He could refuse.”
“He won’t refuse,” Morkai said. “Refusal can lead to war, and you’re only asking for what’s fair. Besides, you’ve taken away a portion of his military. The men who serve under your houses fight foryou, which means they now fight for Khero. He won’t want to go up against that.”
Kevan narrowed his eyes. “We are not resorting to war with Verdian.”
“These negotiations will be friendly, trust me. We’ll hold them during a celebration. A hunt. Instead of signing the pact here, we’ll solidify the treaty outdoors, where the environment feels neutral. The three of us will stake out a private place to hold our grand hunt, and when Verdian and Larylis arrive, they will meet us there.”
Kevan and Ulrich exchanged a weighted look, one that spoke of greed, desperation, and trepidation.
“Is there a reason you’re proposing an isolated location for the meeting?” Ulrich said, brow arched.
Morkai lifted his chin. “Should there be?”
Neither man answered. They exchanged another questioning glance, but this time there was no trepidation. Only hunger. Avarice.
Teryn glanced at Emylia. “Is he using magic right now? A…glamour? Like what he did to Dimetreus?”
She shook her head. “He isn’t strong enough to create any lasting glamour. Not without a Roizan. All he’s doing is playing into their desires.”
Teryn shuddered. It was far more unsettling than if he’d been using magic, for this showed exactly what kind of men Kevan and Ulrich were.
“If you’d rather stand opposite me,” Morkai said, “by all means say so at once. But I’d rather have your support, Prince Kevan. And yours, Duke Calloway.”
Teryn was tempted to hold his breath for their answer, but he forced himself to keep his breathing steady, drawing air evenly into his lungs.
Kevan finally spoke. “Very well, Your Highness?—”
“No. I’ll need you to address me as Your Majesty now. I will take my place as king from this moment on. We’ll keep it between us until after the pact has been signed. For now, it is enough that my heads of council name me king and show obeisance.”
Kevan flushed, jaw tense as if he were about to argue.
Ulrich shared no such hesitation. He fell to one knee, head bowed. “My king.”
Morkai nodded. “Duke Calloway.”
Kevan’s eyes were steely, but he bent into a stiff bow. “Your Majesty, King Teryn.”
“Thank you for your support, Prince Kevan.” With that, Morkai exited the study, a figurative crown upon his brow. One he’d managed to claim without magic. Without war.
The prophetic words Emylia had spoken in her memory echoed through his head.
To gain the power of the Morkaius, one must first become King of Magic, a crown given, not taken…
The prophecy had said nothing about official coronations or ceremonies. Had given no other stipulations. Which likely meant all Morkai needed was the outward acknowledgment of those qualified to give it. Based on the alliance terms Dimetreus had accepted, Kevan and Ulrich were qualified.
Morkai—with Teryn’s name and body—was King of Khero.
