Ellan’s brown eyes landed on me, and he dropped his hands, a look of awe overcoming his ruddy features.
“And…you…themagvis.” A hand lifted to his heart. “I am absolutely honored to make your acquaintance.”
As the noxious scent of his sweet perfume attacked my nose, I knew I should respond with something polite as Harthon had.Thank youwould suffice. Two easy words that were an appropriate response to the Territory leader in front of me.
Thank you.
My eyes drifted to the flowers that adorned the raised table behind him.
I couldn’t say the words. And I was themagvis,so I didn’t have to.
“The people in this Territory. Are any of them starving?” I asked instead.
His awe turned to confusion. Still, he flashed a cordial smile. “What do you mean?”
“You’re clearly growing flowers. Is that because you have farming space to spare? Is there an overabundance of food in this Territory?”
Harthon’s gaze was a visceral weight. I ignored it. I was to convince the world that I was themagvis, and while it wasn’t wise to make Princepes hate me, it was probably okay to be somewhat abrasive.
I doubted powerful, unearthly beings were particularly kind and sweet.
And, besides, if Harthon didn’t like it, what would he do? Kick me out? Banish me from meeting other Princepes?Yes, please.
Ellan blinked several times. “I…well, not exactly, but flowers are a necessity, just like food,” he said matter-of-factly.
Anecessity. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Righteous anger began to stir, pricking at my chest and heating my lungs.
I wanted to challenge him. To ask him to explain, take his reasoning, and shove it so far down his throat that he choked. But a short conversation wasn’t going to convince this pathetic excuse for a leader that his priorities were wrong. And even if it could, I wouldn’t be able to make it through that conversation without launching myself at his face.Thatwas something amagviscouldn’t do.
As if spectating the battle within my mind, Harthon shifted toward me, his hand coming to rest on my lower back. A warning.
I swallowed the bite in my words and asked Ellan, “What do you do with the flowers after they’re used for decoration?”
More confusion twisted his face. “What do wedowith the flowers?”
“Yes. When the party is done, what do you do with the flowers? Domus knows the time, effort, and resources that go into producing them. Food is hard enough to produce these days.”
Ellan chuckled, turning to Harthon as if searching for comradery. Harthon’s flat expression offered none. “Why, we throw them away. No one likes dead flowers.” His eyes suddenly widened as if realizing a mistake. “Unless, of course, you like dead flowers. You can have them if you want. I don’t know what your…type…prefers,” he fumbled, wincing at his own words.
I took a breath to calm the roiling emotions bubbling beneath my skin. “Dead flowers can be used to fertilize food plants, helping them to grow faster and feed more people. Perhaps you can consider doing that in the future.”
Recovering quickly, Ellan opened his arms wide. “Leave it to themagvisto bestow new knowledge upon me.” He turned to Harthon and nudged his arm. I wasn’t sure if Ellan was aware just how easily Harthon could break his fingers if he wanted to. “You’re a lucky man, Harthon. What a well to draw from, huh?”
The casual quip struck a chord deep within me. Something to drain. That’s all themagvisever was to the kings. An incredible being stripped down into an object.
Ana had said I’d want to stab Ellan. I didn’t think it would be so soon.
“I’m fortunate to have found Etarla,” Harthon said, meeting my eyes briefly.
“Etarla! What a lovely name. Did you come up with it?”
The ignorant comment sent my fingers curling into fists. I wasn’t a horse to be named.
Harthon regarded him coolly. “We don’t name themagvis.She’s no pet.”
Completely oblivious to the effect his words had, Ellan chortled. “Of course, of course. Well,Etarla, my good friend and I have a few things to discuss before the party starts. Those two can lead you to a room to rest and, you know, make yourself up for later.” He indicated to the two women standing nervously by the door.
I blinked. Make myself up? We’d been through a fight with the looters, but surely I didn’t look that bad.
