“It does,” Kade insisted hotly. A bit frustrated that Killi didn’t seem to understand how important this was—or worse, didn’t care. He couldn’t stay in the palace if he didn’t apprentice under Hokda. He’d be exiled to the city, and that was as bad as being back in Turell. “It needs to be Hokda.”
Killi studied him for a moment, assessing. Kade didn’t know what he saw, but after a moment he nodded. “Alright, then. Chin up. Shoulders back. Chest high. Don’t show fear, he can smell it.” His lips twitched, but his dark eyes were soft. “He’s not really that scary, just…stand your ground. Argue your points well. He respects that.”
For once, Killi was wrong, because King Fyar Engarathi reallywasthatscary.
Calling them to enter his study, Fyar sat behind a great oak desk swathed in luxury and power like he was born for it. Golden smoke rolled off of him in waves, traces of hisenthat were visible even without Kade focusing his eyes to look beyond the surface layer of the natural world. The king’s magic so overwhelming, so strong that his body couldn’t contain it all.
It was a wonder that any one being could hold so much power and not go mad with it.
Fyar was perfectly blank. He’d been expecting them, though he didn’t even bother to wear that fake little smile he had before. His eyes were trained on Kade and Kade alone.
Feeling his cheeks go hot under the scrutiny, Kade fought the urge to turn and run with his tail between his legs.
The study was magnificent, with a view that made you think you owned the world, but Kade could barely see any of it. His vision seeming to blur, unable to focus on anything but the king sat in front of him.
Killi and Kade bowed as they approached.
“Your Majesty.” Kade was grateful his voice came out steady. “Gratitude for seeing me on such short notice. I won’t take much of your time.”
“I’ll admit I’m surprised. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon, Kade del Torau,” Fyar drawled, leaning back in his chair. Then, he raised a hand and flicked his wrist. “Leave us, Captain.”
Killi made a sound of protest. “No.”
“One of my subjects has come to me about a personal matter. Your input is not needed here. You’re dismissed.”
Reluctantly, Killi went, but not before meeting Kade’s eyesand offering a last nod of encouragement.
“Now,” said Fyar, once the door clicked shut, “Why have you come?”
The room suddenly felt smaller. If Kade thought being in the room with Fyarbeforewas bad, it was so much worse now that it was just the two of them. Gods the king was creepy. Devoid of all color. Devoid of all life. Kade could admit he was beautiful, in a haunting, ghostly kind of way. Sharp and cold like steel. Too easy to cut yourself on. Too easy to kill yourself on.
It was hard to even look at the king, goosebumps rippled across Kade’s arms and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end when he met those blank, blank eyes.
Kade rolled his shoulders back. “I would request a recommendation.”
“Ah. I take it your endeavor with Healer Hokda was not well received.”
“No,” said Kade, stiffly, “It wasn’t.”
“So you’ve come to ask for my assistance.”
“Yes.”
“What exactly is it that you expect me to do? He’s refused you already. How would I convince him he’s wrong? He has no guarantee you’re worth anything more than flattering, empty words.”
“I’ll take any tests he deems necessary. I know I can pass. I only need the chance.”
“And if you fail?”
“I-I’ll leave. No contest.”
“I see.” A beat of silence. Then, “So ask.”
Kade blinked, suddenly feeling wrong-footed and unsure. “I’m sorry?”
“You said you’ve come to ask for my assistance,” Fyar said slowly, like he was talking to a child. “So ask me.”
Kade grit his teeth. “What? Do you want me to get on my knees and beg? I did ask you.”
