Page 87 of The King of Koraha
She had to admit it was better. “What do you want?”
“Ah, that’s complicated. At first I planned to have my soldiers in all the cities, offering to help keep them safe. Except most of the Water Princes and Princesses refused my aid, clinging to the belief that the King would save them and demonstrating to me that they’re not smart enough to protect their cities. I found a way to convince them that they needed me and my soldiers. And the quality of life has improved in all my cities. I can keep doing it my slower way, or you can help me speed up my timeline.”
He shifted slightly so he could meet her gaze. “Will you help me?”
“Of course.” It was the right thing to do. And it was refreshing not to be conflicted anymore. Her internal struggle was gone.
“Thank you. Now sleep, Little One.”
She immediately fell into a restful slumber.
Over the next fourteen sun jumps, Little One worked with Xerxes, converting the prince’s guards, including Captain Mahira, and testing his mercs for magical potential. She found only three—two women and a man. When she explained the process of opening their power, one woman refused. That was when Little One learned that Xerxes’ original soldiers had not been influenced by his magic. They’d signed up due to loyalty. Those that wore pendants had been…collected by the commander as people useful to him.
Xerxes didn’t order the soldier who had refused to let Little One unlock her magic, so she only opened the two and taught them how to wield it. They were quick to learn.
That darkness Xerxes praised her efforts. As a reward, he stayed with her as they slept. Just having his warm body next to her relaxed her, but he didn’t do it often.
Her new assignment came the next sun jump. Xerxes woke her when he brought her first meal.
“How do you manage to get up without waking me?” she asked between bites.
“Your sleep is undisturbed by worries or fears. A benefit of the goddess’s love.”
“Your pendant doesn’t give you peace?” That was sad.
“No, I get something better. Eat, Little One. I’d like you to go to the monastery and do some research.”
Research? A jolt of excitement pierced her. “On what?”
“The King’s power. How he moves the water. How he blocks the power of The Eyes. If magic can be used on him.”
“The information might not be there,” she said. The last thing she wanted was to disappoint Xerxes.
“I know. But if anyone can find it, it’s you.”
She preened. “There are four Rooms of Knowledge. How long do I have?”
“Until the taxes arrive and we need to leave for Haiya.” He paused. “About forty sun jumps. Will that be enough?”
Forty sun jumps to do research! It was the best gift Xerxes could ever give her. “It should be. It’ll help if I have a research assistant—one of the monks who is familiar with the collection.”
“You can request anything you need. But take your pack as you’ll stay at the monastery until you’ve gone through all the rooms.”
“By myself?” The thought was horrifying. She needed to be with him.
Xerxes smiled. “Of course not. I’m going to send a few of my people with you. Not that I think you’ll be attacked in the monastery, but we haven’t found those two monks, Walkur and what’s-her-name, and I don’t want you to be…bothered on the way to the monastery.”
“Are you coming as well?”
“No, but I want you to send me a message if you find anything. Then I’ll come visit and hear what you’ve learned.”
In other words, he was giving her a big incentive to do a thorough job. “All right.”
After first meal, she packed her few possessions and changed into the standard monk’s tunic and pants. When she’d finished, she found Xerxes with three of his team—Zahoor and a man and woman she didn’t recognize. A part of her had been hoping Xerxes would assign Big Brute to her mission. Her disappointment lingered, which was odd.
“This is Kamila and Fareed,” Xerxes said. “They will stay with you at the monastery. Zahoor is just escorting you through the desert.”
Kamila and Fareed kept their expressions neutral, but they both wondered what they’d done to upset the commander. Babysitting wasn’t what they’d signed on to do. They wore civilian clothes, and except for the hidden weapons, they blended in with the citizens of Apanji.
