Page 174 of Prize for the King
Molly looks up, seeming a bit timid, though determined. “Xander said you spoke for your husband,” she whispers, leaning towardme. “Is that true?”
“Oh.” I smile with embarrassment. “Just once. I heard a proposition that seemed unfair and I spoke without thinking.”
“And your husband wasn’t put out with you?”
I shake my head ruefully. “No, he praised me. He was the one who insisted on bringing me. Magnar thinks I am smart, bless him, and an asset.”
Susan snorts, tapping the ash out of her pipe. “I am smart, too, but Richard never listens to a word of my advice. He likes the sound of his voice much more than mine, which is a pity. I shall go to a Gathering one day. I am old enough not to fear their judgment.”
Molly stares morosely at her plate where her cake sits untouched.
“I should like a husband who thinks I’m smart and listens to me,” she whispers.
“Then you’ll have to divorce, because Xander will never give you that,” Susan says, her voice kind despite her harsh words. When Molly looks up with a sniff, she pats her hand. “It’s not unheard of, dear. As long as you have a sponsor, someone who’ll take you in during the proceedings, you will be safe.”
Molly shakes her head. “I have no one. My parents won’t let me come back, and none of you can, either. All your husbands are Xander’s allies.”
“Come to Roharra,” I say without thinking. “Magnar is no friend of your husband. And before you let him know your plans, raid Xander’s study. You can sell his secrets and get your revenge.”
Molly shakes her head with wide eyes, but Susan lifts an appreciative eyebrow. “Look at you, sitting there all innocent and plotting. Just like old Archie. You’re daddy’s girl, aren’t you?”
The cup I’ve just picked up clatters back to the saucer, spilling my tea. I busy myself clearing the mess with napkins, even though two maids already rush across the room to help me. I use that moment tobreathe and calm my voice, even though inside, everything is slimy and queasy with shame.
“I am so sorry, I don’t know what happened.” I smile, looking up right into Susan’s piercing eyes. “But I should go back. We’re supposed to go sightseeing, and I just wanted to check on you, Molly. If you need help with sponsoring or anything else, I will be glad to support you. I’ll see you both at dinner tonight.”
I stumble getting up from the table, and then again on the threshold before I run into Raduna, who stands guard outside the room. He steadies me gently, searching my face.
“Are you all right, my queen?”
“No. Let’s go.”
My hurried footsteps clatter out the rhythm of Susan’s words, and panic stirs in my belly as I wonder if she knew, how she knew, why didn’t she save me.
Daddy’s little girl. Daddy’s prize. Come to Daddy.
Or maybe she doesn’t know anything, and her words were coincidental. Maybe I am paranoid, the deceptive atmosphere of the Citadel tainting my thoughts.
We don’t find Magnar writing letters but listening to furious Khay, who rages in half-whispers, half-screams, Magnar shushing him time and again when he gets too loud.
“I saw her!” he bursts out as soon as we come in. “I saw Tasha! She had a child with her, a half-human girl. For fuck’s sake, Magnar, we can’t wait anymore! We have to get them out. Tonight! Please!”
Raduna clasps a heavy hand on Khay’s shoulder. “Breathe, Khay. They waited ten years. If we rush in without thinking, we won’t save them. They’ll be lost forever. Give us a day or two.”
“That’s two more days of rapes!” Khay’s eyes are frantic, his teeth bared in agitation. “And that child, fuck! You haven’t seen her. She had Tasha’s eyes, do you understand? My sister bore them a child. Ihave a niece! Maybe more, maybe nephews, and I can’t… What they do to them…”
Khay weeps, falling to his knees, and tears out fistfuls of his hair in agony. Dark blue clumps fall to the floor at his sides, and he howls like an animal pierced with an arrow, his pain the most horrible thing I’ve ever witnessed.
I don’t know what to do. There is nothing in this world that can soothe him, nothing but freeing his family and bringing them home. I weep with him, shaking, and Raduna puts his arm around me while Magnar kneels by Khay’s side.
“We will act as fast as we can,” my husband says, his face drawn and dark, mouth set. “I promise you. We will save them. You have my word.”
I see it in the lines of his body, the heavy slump of his shoulders, his head weighing too much to lift, his loose, empty hands. He’s ridden with guilt, crushed by it, and Khay’s every howl, his every tear, add to Magnar’s burden.
“He shouldn’t act rashly,” I whisper, but the words are hollow. I know there’s no winning with guilt this strong, and Magnar gave his word. He always keeps his word.
“He won’t,” Raduna says, pulling me closer. “I won’t let him.”
I nod, but I don’t think even Raduna can contain Magnar when he’s so driven by Khay’s pain. I don’t know what to do. I wish I had answers for them, some sort of way to free the women, but it’s useless. We know too little, and we’re surrounded by enemies. Not even Magnar’s money, and not the entire yield from his mines, are enough to bargain with stupid men whose pride was slighted.
