Page 29 of Regal Rising

“She has a spell like our house. We can’t remember her.”

Avor said, “Why can you remember her now?”

“Because you two finally are together. She doesn’t have to hide anymore.”

Regis swallowed. “Honey, where is she?”

Ira pointed, and Regis turned to see Kay striding toward the glowing light. It stopped, and she went down on her knees, arms stretched out in front of her.

Avor whispered, “The emperor is here.”

He looked around and nodded to Vemel. He kept his arm around Regis, and she kept her arm around Ira. They walked across the open field and toward the light.

Regis stared, and the light slowly faded. Five djinn were there, and the one wearing armour studded with gemstones was staring down at Kay.

Regis took in the image of tiny beta Kay in front of the warrior djinn. She started to stride toward them while her blood began to rise. Kay’s features were Ira’s features, all grown up. How had she not seen it?

Regis muttered, “Why are we not running?”

“Because charging him would be a mistake,” Avor said softly.

* * * *

Kay kept her full-courtbow going as she felt the fury directed at the back of her neck.

She heard the soft rumble of his voice. “Eight hundred years, Kaido. You have locked me out of this world for eight hundred years.”

She didn’t look up. “I am a lowly worm. I do not deserve speech, but may you destroy me somewhere else? There are too many witnesses.”

A hand threaded in her hair and pulled it back as he crouched next to her. “How many of them are there, Kaido?”

She swallowed. “In total?”

“Yes.”

“Fifty turned into four hundred thousand around the globe.” She whispered it as his white-hot eyes pierced her soul.

There was a gasp behind her.

Without looking away from her, her captor said, “Vemel, it seems you survived the insurrection.”

“Yes, Emperor Vaayu. How long have you enjoyed the throne?”

“Seven hundred and eighty years.” He spoke softly and then used his grip on her hair to lift her. “It would have been enjoyable if my bride had remained within my grasp.”

Kay reached up to grab her hair. “I was a concubine to the previous emperor. I am not now, nor have I ever been, a bride.” She was hanging by her hair in front of the man she had known as General Vaayu.

He looked down at her. “What are you wearing?”

Her jeans and sweatshirt dissolved in glitter, and she was in a backless gown with delicate slippers and jewels on every inch of her.

Vaayu looked at her and nodded, setting her on her feet. “Better. Oh, look, your family.”

She couldn’t move her head. “I will take your word for it, Your Imperial Majesty.”

He chuckled, “Very polite. How scared are you?”

“Pretty scared. Why are you here, Your Imperial Majesty?”

---