Page 126 of The Fighter
“Me!” Khan corrected her. “Pearl isn’t running for president. I am!”
“Yes, of course, that’s what I meant.”
“Why president and not ruler?” I asked.
Khan raised his chin. “Because I like the ring to it.”
Pearl shook her head. “It’s because a new title signals that it’s a new type of leadership. Kings, Rulers, and Czars aren’t democratically elected. Presidents, prime ministers, and council members are.”
Khan sighed and put down his cutlery. “It’s a shame about Mila’s wedding. I know we have to postpone it, but it would have been perfect because my popularity always spikes whenever I do a wedding ceremony. Not to mention that Mila’s tournament is proof that we Northlanders aren’t the only ones changing in this integration. For a Motlander-born woman like Mila to let our men fight for her shows that she’s accepting our culture.”
Mila looked down. “I’m only doing it because I lost a bet to my dad. To be honest, I don’t care for the violence.”
Khan shrugged. “That’s fine, as long as you don’t tell anyone outside this room.”
“I told Jonah.”
Khan waved a dismissive hand. “That doesn’t matter. He’s not a voter.”
Pearl sat straighter on her chair. “Now that you mention Jonah, Mila, I spoke to him this morning. He might have some good input on running a campaign since he did it recently. I’ve asked him to visit us again soon.”
Boulder had stopped eating and sat with his arms crossed. “I like Jonah. I’ve only met the man a few times, but he was intelligent, pleasant, and different from what I’d imagined a male Motlander would be.”
“Yes, Jonah has a good head on his shoulders,” Khan agreed. “But back to my numbers spiking around weddings; it would be convenient if we could make a big spectacle out of Raven’s wedding now that Mila’s wedding will be postponed. What do you think, Boulder?”
Boulder shook his head. “How many times has Raven told you and Magni that she doesn’t want a tournament? It’s not going to happen, Khan. Hell, knowing my daughter, she would be more interested in fighting herself than marrying any of the poor champions.”
Khan raised an eyebrow and smiled. “I didn’t say anything about a tournament.”
“What’s with the smug smile?” Boulder turned in his chair to look at Raven. “Am I missing something here?”
“Yeah, that’s why I came today. We wanted to tell you.”
Boulder’s eyes widened. “Tell me what?”
I cleared my throat. “The thing is that Raven has agreed to marry me.”
Boulder’s eyes blinked as he looked from me to Raven and back. “What? When?”
“Yesterday. She agreed yesterday.”
“Did you know this?” Boulder turned to Christina, who sat with her mouth open.
“No.”
“But what… I mean how…” Boulder’s hands tore through his hair. “Is this some kind of prank?”
“No. It’s true, Dad.”
Boulder held up a hand. “Wait a minute. First you tell me there’s going to be democracy in the Northlands and now you’re telling me that my daughter is marrying her boss. It’s not April first, people, so what the fuck is going on? What kind of elaborate joke is this?”
“It’s not a joke, sir.” I took Raven’s hand on the table. “Raven moved in with me last night.”
“She did what?”
“We’ve been intim… ehm, getting to know each other for some time now and yesterday, Raven, finally agreed to marry me.”
Boulder planted both elbows on the table and stared at Raven. “Is this true?”
