Page 14 of The King of Koraha
Sitting on the chair and wearing a crown made of what appeared to be osmium and sapphires, the King gazed at her with bemusement. No doubt she was gawking. He was…nothing like she expected and yet he still embodied the persona of a powerful ruler. His straight posture and slight tilt to his head gave him an intimidating and regal air. Yet the glint in his eyes hinted to a boyish impishness.
Beckoning Shyla closer, he pitched his voice so it carried over the noisy water. “I know it’s a shock. Najib takes way too much pleasure in surprising new visitors.” He swept a hand out. “Water is the ultimate power in Koraha so here I sit surrounded by it. Be careful not to fall in or you’ll drown.”
“Drown?” Shyla sidled up to the edge.
“It’s when water replaces the air in your lungs, causing you to die. I wouldn’t recommend it.”
She stopped. Water could kill you? It occupied half the room. But despite its impressive presence, her gaze kept returning to the King’s face.
He sighed. “I’m younger than you expected.”
An understatement. The King was supposed to be over eighty circuits old. This man looked the same age as Najib, which she guessed was around thirty-five circuits old. “Yes, sire.”
“I guess I should get used to that.” He gestured. “Are you properly impressed by all this?”
Confused, she glanced around. Guards lined the walls and above them were mosaics Shyla would bet were constructed out of precious stones. “Yes, sire. Most impressed.”
“Good. Now we can talk business.” The King stood. His silk robe and fur cloak flowed to the floor in a wave of light blue. Dark auburn hair curled at the nape of his neck.
Shyla wondered if they would have to keep shouting over the din or if he would risk drowning and ruin his garments by crossing the water. There appeared to be no other way for the King to reach her.
“Pay attention,” the King said, spreading his hands.
Square stone pillars rose from the water’s surface. No, that was wrong. The water level dropped just enough to reveal the tops of the blocks.
The King hitched up his robes, exposing sturdy leather boots, and hopped from one to the next, landing gracefully next to Shyla. The water surged and buried the stepping stones once again.
“You don’t seem overly surprised,” the King said. “Why is that?”
He was about thirteen centimeters taller than Shyla. She met his gaze. The King’s light amber-colored eyes seemed to peer into Shyla’s soul. Magic? Or something else? Out of respect for the monarch, she refrained from using The Eyes to examine his soul. “You are the King of Koraha and wield the power of the water. It makes sense that it should obey your wishes.”
“Did you hear that, Najib?” the King asked over Shyla’s shoulder.
The advisor had been waiting near the door. “Yes, sire, I did.”
“This one’s clever.”
“Yes, sire, she is.”
“Wonderful. I love a challenge. Come with me, Shyla Sun-Kissed. We’ve much to discuss and I don’t like having to yell over the water’s constant jabber.”
The King led Shyla, Najib, and a dozen guards to another chamber. This one was much smaller than the throne room. Though opulent, with thick rugs on the floor, trol lanterns, and precious gems arranged into artworks, it was more comfortable. It appeared lived in, as if the King spent most of his time here. There was a desk and cushions and tables. The King sat on a cushion and gestured for Shyla to sit next to him.
“Najib, can you fetch us some hot tea, please?”
“Yes, sire.” Not at all bothered by being asked to perform a servant’s task, he retreated.
Shyla eyed the King, who took a moment to inspect her as well.
“Your eyes are a very unusual color. They match the sapphires in my crown,” the King said. “All the sun-kisseds I know have sunshine eyes.”
“Sunshine?”
“Yes, the color of the sun. I always thought it appropriate. Yellow eyes and yellow hair like the Sun Goddess herself.” The King cocked his head. “However, you’re not like the other sun-kisseds, are you?”
Unease stirred at the question that wasn’t really a question. “I’m not sure how to answer that.”
“All right. How about this? You were born to two Monks of Parzival, which means you grew up near the city of Zirdai. One that is infamous for its strict Heliacal Priestess who demands sun-kissed babies be sacrificed. Instead of living in the monastery where you would be protected, you decided to live in the city and eventually you led a rebellion that unseated both the prince and priestess.”
