Page 172 of Prize for the King
Could it be that Xander feels threatened by his wife’s beauty and that’s why he brings her down so harshly?
Magnar laughs, embracing me for a moment, his movements careful like he can tell I need gentle handling. “What can I say? I’m a man in love, and I can’t be parted from my wife even for an hour. I am sure you understand.”
The looks they give him are suspicious and narrowed, and I realize they are trying to figure out Magnar’s deception. Except—there is nodeception. He really enjoys having me by his side.
Richard, the king of Trista and Nasturtia’s husband, leans his elbows on the table, folding his palms into a triangle. He’s a severe man, cleanly-shaven, with short, silver hair. His eyes are dark and cruel. He was my father’s close friend, just like Nasturtia was my mother’s.
“Usually, we would start with some light chit-chat, but since you have brought a woman, we’ll have to dispense with that part. My lady.”
He gives me a cool nod. I want to ask what they usually talk about if my presence prevents it, but my stomach is queasy, my throat tight, and I’m afraid my voice will break.
Magnar shrugs. “Good thing I brought her, then. I hate wasting time. You want my mines, don’t you?”
The kings shuffle in their seats, a few leaning forward. I see their hesitation and uncertainty. Magnar is a dark horse. No one knows what to expect of him, and he didn’t give them a chance to feel him out through idle conversation.
“And you want something in return,” Richard says easily, his eyes boring into Magnar. “Or you wouldn’t have come all the way here.”
Magnar shrugs. “True. What are your iron and copper needs? Let’s haggle.”
Xander thumps his fist on the table. “That’s not how we do things,” he bites out. “You have no manners!”
“I have iron and copper,” Magnar says, his voice perfectly patient and just a tad condescending. “You won’t make tools out of manners, my friend.”
“I am not your friend!” Xander hisses, and Magnar smiles suddenly, baring all his teeth in a shocking display. Xander flinches, and a few others curse. Only Richard remains impassive.
“For the sake of efficiency, Magnar, why don’t you say what you came for.Thenwe’ll haggle.”
“Very well.” He leans closer, leveling each king with a hard stare. “I know you have Agnidari brothels in your kingdoms. I want my people back, all of them to the last one.”
There is a moment of stunned silence, and then—then—they burst out laughing. All as one, the kings cackle and thump the table, some slapping their thighs. Xander has tears of mirth in his eyes. Magnar’s hold on me tightens, and I tense, waiting with mounting dread for what’s next.
Finally, they calm down, and Richard turns to Magnar with a confident, easy smile. My hackles rise.Danger.
“Of course, dearfriend.We’ll give you back every Agnidari who stays in our kingdoms at this moment. In return, we want eighty percent of your iron and copper yield—in perpetuity.”
Sidonius looks up sharply, his lips parting as if to say something.Richard shoots him a fast, quelling look.
“No,” I say, flinching when I hear my voice, loud and sure.
Xander scoffs. “You let your woman speak for you? That’s just a cherry on top. Are you as disappointed as I am in the Great Tyrant, gentlemen? I expected him to be fierce and strong, and not henpecked… Ah, forgive me.”
He grins with clear scorn. Magnar is silent for a beat as they wait for him to react, and gods, I am so proud of him. Here it is, his control, his authority. Xander doesn’t know that, but Magnar’s power is exactly this—not reacting at first instinct.
“I must say your haggling skills are quite poor,” he says at length, then does the unthinkable—heyawns.I stifle a giddy gasp when the kings clear their throats and mutter under their breaths, clearly annoyed by that insult. “Sleep on that, will you? I’d rather spend the rest of today in more pleasant company. Unless you have something else to discuss?”
Richard slowly shakes his head, his glare piercing as if he tries to look right into Magnar’s soul. The Gathering ends, though I’m sure the other kings will talk without Magnar present. So here it is, the divide—them against him. I don’t think it could be any other way, yet I still wonder what we could have done to prevent this.
Sidonius makes to follow us out, but Richard calls him back sharply, and he sighs, his shoulders dropping. I remind myself I should speak with him, but I’m hardly able to do that now.
When we come to our room, Arvi and Raduna are already back, both pacing, agitated and angry. As soon as Magnar closes the door behind me, they rush to his side, executing hasty salutes.
“My king! We found Khay’s sisters.”
LII Girl
“So that’s why they agreed so easily,” Magnar snaps through clenched teeth, then hits the wall with his fist. “Because all of the women are held right here.”
“We can’t be sure,” Raduna says, “but the establishment is large and advertised as the only Agnidari brothel in the Eleven now that you took the southern kingdoms. It’s popular with sailors and travelers.”
