Page 20 of Royal Resistance

I stare into his pretty blue eyes. Did Magnus actually say that? Did the king of Laandia propose marriage to me?

A marriage would make me queen.

Queen of Laandia but… queen.

My heart gives a squeeze from what might be joy. Happiness. There’s a chance I can fulfill my duty. What I’ve always planned for.

“What do you say?” Magnus asks.

He looks pleased. Confident that he has what I want, and he does. I do want to be queen, even if it’s Laandia and not Avelaine.

But still…

That’s not all I am. That’s what Darren thought of me, what everyone does who thinks of me solely as what I can do for a country.

I’ve finally realized that. Not just tonight, but weeks ago. It’s why I haven’t grieved for my relationship with Darren, because he didn’t see me, but what I could do for him.

And that is why I don’t give Magnus’s question much time to sink in. “No.”

7

Magnus

I’ve never been an impulsive person.

That might surprise a lot of people when you consider the list of things I’ve been involved with. My interests.

Passions, if you will.

I’m good at a few things, but my problem is that if I can be good at something, I want to be the best. And I’ll do it for as long as I can, because who doesn’t like being the best at what they love? And if I’m not the best, then I get bored.

It started when I was a kid. I played hockey because every kid in Laandia played hockey, and I was good at it. I was a big kid, and even with a different name on the back of my jersey, everyone on the opposing team knew who I was.

That was good and bad—there were some who wouldn’t come near me out of fear of retribution, like my father would throw them in the dungeon if they cross-checked me, and some who went after me every chance they could get. I was a good player, but I wasn’t the best. I wasn’t the fastest. I wasn’t the best scorer. I was good at protecting the rest of my teammates, which is what they wanted me for, but you can get tired of fighting or pushing others into the boards. Eventually, I got bored with hockey. But Laandia was made for winter sports, and I like the ice, so I tried curling. Again, I was good, but not the best, and didn’t last long in the sport.

I spent the winter months inside at arenas, but the summers I spent at the track. Not running, because even though my legs are long, I’ve always been flat-footed. I was good at throwing things, like the discus and the javelin, all very Viking-type weapons.

Turns out I was the best at shotput, so good that I made it to the Olympics. A gold medal and several world records later, eventually someone beat me, and I was no longer the best. So I retired from sports. I was very happy for Randy Barnes, when he beat my record, but I moved on to other pursuits.

It was the same with music. I was always a good guitarist, but not the best. It turns out I needed the help of others for that.

I met Duncan in Laandia City, which is as far from Battle Harbour as you can be and still be in the country. I was there with my family and snuck out partway through some ceremony to go to a bar. Duncan, Luciano, and Benny were in the band playing, and one thing led to another.

I’m not even sure I remember what led to me joining them on stage. I told them my name was Martin Aaronson, and by the end of their set, it was obvious that I was about to take the place of their lead guitarist.

Even when they figured out who I really was.

And Martin Aaronson got a songwriting credit on our first album.

Listening to Selene talk about her country reminds me of that night. I might be a good king by myself, but I really think she could make me better.

Maybe even the best.

Plus, as we danced, I couldn’t help thinking about how easy it was to be around her, and how easy running the country might be with her by my side.

Having someone beside me—not really checking up on me, but offering assistance. Helping. Trying to make me better, just like Duncan and the guys did.

If Selene were queen, she might help me from being bored with the gig as well.