He could understand why the vision involving her was jarring. Even understand why she would refuse to believe it. But in the short time he’d spent with her, he knew it could be no one else.
She sat up, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because, Hazel. You’re not an ordinary woman. I knew it from the moment I met you in Larksridge. But I ignored everything within me screaming that it was you. So Fate literally tossed you at my feet where I couldn’t ignore you any longer.” He ran his hand through his hair, eyes closed.
“So,” he continued after a moment, “I’ve told you mine. Care to share yours?”
Hazel appeared to ponder it for a minute before speaking. And then she told him everything.
THE GAMES KINGS PLAY
By mid-morning, they had a plan. It was far from foolproof, but it was the best they had. In a few hours, they would put it to the test.
“Slaide,” Hazel began, “what happens when everything is over? Assuming I survive, I mean. What’s next for us?” She fiddled nervously with her necklace. Did she realize how often she did that?
For us.Gods. How could he tell her there was nous? How could he tell her that she’d survive this tournament only to be handed back to the King? She wasn’t the one earning her freedom. He was.
She was being bargained into a lifetime of servitude.
“Well, there’s the ball. We can dance and get drunk, but I’d wager you’re not asking about that. I suppose you’ll be able to do whatever you want,” he lied. She’d never really asked what was in this for her beyond surviving her execution. He hoped she wasn’t about to start now.
“Did you mean what you said, about me freeing the oppressed? I’m assuming you were referring to the slaves in Blackrock?”
“Yes, I meant it. And, sort of. I mean… you absolutely freed them and made sure no one would ever be enslaved there again. But you didn’t stop with the slaves.”
She nodded. “That’s good. I-I don’t know how—if it was me, that is—how I’m supposed to help anyone when I can’t even help myself. When you took me to the gulch… when I saw what they did to those people and the conditions they were working in…”
“Do you understand why I took you there? It wasn’t to hurt you. It was to motivate you. Everyone loathes the King, but only those who truly know what he endorseshatehim. Unfortunately, hate isn’t enough. Hel, if hate alone could kill him, I would have taken care of it long ago.”
“So, what do we do?” she asked sincerely.
“We start with a conversation. It probably won’t get us anywhere, but we can at least let him know how bad the conditions have become.”
“You don’t think he knows?”
“I’m certain he doesn’t. He hasn’t been there in years.” A truth-wrapped lie. Magnus knew. But even Slaide had been taken aback by the extent of the violence.
It would be a hard, ugly conversation, though it was a long time coming. He was tired of the games. The charades and secrets.
“Let’s go.” He grabbed Hazel’s hand. “No time like the present to get this shit done.”
She yelped when he pulled her arm, but quickly fell into step behind him.
Magnus may be the High King. He might be the most powerful man in all the land—politically speaking, anyway—but it was time for him to answer some questions. Slaide charged down the main hallway toward the throne room with Hazel in tow.
They arrived at the throne room doors, where two Raven Blade Knights stood guard. Slaide pulled up, nearly skidding to a stop when he noticed them.Knights? On guard for a meeting?The guards stood statuesque, choosing not to acknowledge Slaide and Hazel’s presence. That was, at least, until Slaide stepped forward.
Without a word, the knights shifted, crossing their spears before the doors.
“I suppose that’s on me, for thinking you’d let me waltz in. His Majesty is expecting me, though, so step aside.”
One guard eyed him from behind his iron helmet. He lifted his face guard, and Slaide recognized the man from his missing left eye.Oswald. Not a shot in Hel he’s letting me through.
“As a matter of fact, I have strict orders to keep these doors barred until the meeting concludes. No one in, no one out. Including you, Slaide Elias.Especiallyyou.”
“Aw, good. You do remember me. I was beginning to wonder if you’d already forgotten all the good times we spent together. Good to see you in good spirits and that you’ve managed to keep at least one eye.”
“No thanks to you, bastard.” He glowered.
