“Hm.”
“That doesn’t surprise you?”
She refrained from shrugging—she wouldn’t give this man the pleasure of making her sink so low as to exhibit body language that could give away her mind. “Though I was exiled, many royal families would have had me killed as a child. It’s no surprise they attempted to keep my existence a secret,” she said, reflecting on her life of alienation. As miserable as it was, she was still alive. That was more than could be said for many other magic users.
“Perhaps, but I also found it unlikely that a magic user of your caliber would submit to being ordered about.” One corner of Farrin’s lips curled up, and he shook his head once—as if shoving a thought away.
Rakel stifled the desire to shift. “Why did you seek me out, Colonel Graydim? I doubt it was because you wished to hear my life’s story.”
Farrin pulled his dark-eyed gaze from her and shuffled through a small stack of papers. “The Chosen mean to shape a better future for magic users.”
“By taking overmycountry? If you are seeking sympathy, you will be spectacularly disappointed.”
“Long have magic users been mistreated and slain for our abilities. If we are not killed immediately after our powers manifest, we are forced into slavery, beaten, starved, or exiled. Though we are human, we are called monsters and are regarded with hatred and fear. We seek to change that.”
“You wish to take over our land to create a safe haven for magic users?” Rakel guessed.
“For people likeus.Yes. That is why we are so named: we are a collaboration of those who have been blessed with the gift of magic.”
It is a worthy idea. A country built for those who can wield magic would be an escape for all who are mistreated…or isolated. Furthermore, nations would think twice about attacking it. There is a potential problem, however, besides the horrible name.
“What will you do with the citizens who already live in the lands you claim?” Rakel asked.
Farrin’s stoic demeanor cracked just long enough for Rakel to witness a short-lived frown. “Enslave them, of course.”
It took all of Rakel’s self-control to keep from recoiling. The idea sickened her so much her stomach churned and her throat ached.
“They will serve us—as we have been forced to serve them for years,” he continued, as if this plan was natural. “I was instructed to visit you today to ask you to join us. Though we have begun with Verglas, we mean to expand and create more than one such country. You are the true queen—the eldest child of the royal family. If you join us, you would be the legitimate ruler.”
“If I were queen, could I order the freedom of all regular civilians?”
“No,” Farrin said, his fingers twitching. “My leader would never allow it. Too much blood has been spilled for them to be forgiven.”
So much for the true queen.Rakel uneasily tugged on her magic, seeking its cool reassurance. “I see.”
Oskar was right. The invaders were truly evil. They were brutal to innocents; they planned toenslaveothers, and she didn’t believe for a second that they were in Verglas to claim territory. To begin with, Verglas was the least vicious in their treatment to magic users—particularly since she had been born. It was no longer a death sentence to be born with powers. Magic users were still horribly mistreated, yes, but on the entire continent, Verglas was among the least wretched. It made no sense to begin with Verglas—which would further alienate the other countries.
Farrin poured a red drink from a silver pitcher into a goblet and offered it to Rakel.
“No, thank you,” Rakel murmured.
I know better than to take sustenance from the opposition. Also, not five minutes ago you told me no one believed I existed, and now you want me to be queen? They cannot possibly care about lands or ruling. There is something this Chosen Army wants, and it’s here, in Verglas. What they really want to come out of this meeting is for me to stop opposing them.
She kept her face still, as if it had been carved from ice. “I regret to say I must decline your offer.”
Farrin, who had taken the goblet for himself and sipped from it, blinked. “You do not wish to be the monarch of a country that is rightfully yours?”
“That is not my concern. What I cannot—and will not—agree to is the proposed treatment of the civilians.”
Farrin’s air of tranquility evaporated as he leaned forward. The pressure with which he loomed over her made Rakel certain he was averypowerful magic user. The planes of his face hardened, and his eyes were sharp as knife blades. “If the rumors are correct, your own parents cut you off from the outside world. You were denied your birthright and exiled. You were attacked in Vefsna after repelling my army. You wish to letthesekinds of people go unpunished?”
Rakel filed away his admission that he knew she was attacked—she would have to tell Captain Halvor there was a spy about. “If we attack them and force them into the savage treatment we encountered, we will be as bad as they believe,” Rakel said.
“You are an idealist.”
She chuckled. “Hardly. I am perhaps as hard-hearted and unforgiving as you. But if we reverse the roles, nothing will change. Civilians will still hate us, and we will hate them. Additionally, I cannot stand the thought of allowing another human to be imprisoned as I have been. Quite frankly, that reflects poorly on your organization.”
“It seems we are at an impasse.”
