61Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY6yfuh7SU
copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnhxFsBDtL
After the bodies were removed and the land returned to its former glory and shine, Malich had Mekhi investigate how that many soldiers made it onto his palace grounds undetected. Mekhi himself was baffled. He oversaw the security protocols and they should have been impenetrable. Either his guards allowed the soldiers to walk through or there was more than one reason his brothers chose this particular piece of land to gift him.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5z9rw6AGJ
Malich gave instructions to Dax to buy whatever information he could about the way his brothers and the other nobles acquired their riches. If they wouldn’t allow him to climb up the social ladder to his rightful place, then he would bring them all down. Well…those in particular that didn’t acquiesce to his power, crowns be damned.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoFhyV3FEq
His brothers didn’t think of everything when they gave him this land. They were probably so impressed by how clever they were in granting him the piece of shit he turned into a palace, that they didn’t consider it’s borders, roads, and shoreline. His first plan of action was to stop any and all traffic through his territory. He brought in more Red Soldiers and posted them on his roads, his borders and his shoreline stopping any and all trade to the capital where he brothers were bound to get word. At least from his shores, which the last time he checked, was where majority of the Jarrah Houses trade traveled through. They’d still have their gardens, but their grain, weapons, and all other trade would be halted.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ANq8sSJ6l
“Your highness, her majesty Queen Arya is requesting council,” Mekhi walks into his office to inform him. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5r4fTBlui
Malich sighs remembering the last time they spoke. Being pulled back into her indecisive world with his heart dangling in the balance didn’t appeal to him so he told him, “Deny her request, and for the love of Anan, stop calling me your highness. Not you. You call me by my name, you’ve earned that right.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tHKKfFOVk
Mekhi nods, but he hesitates to leave. Malich meets his gaze a second time. “Forgive me Malich, but is it really wise to deny her request?” Mekhi asks.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3U2t3vmMB
“Arya made her decision, or rather, she made a decision notto make a decision. I am in no mood for her swaying interests.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhH9mX3Yix
“Yes but-”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn0Y7LeNz9
“But what?” Malich cut him off.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Oc2QG5m3S
“She won’t take no for an answer. She’ll show up unannounced running her swords through our soldiers if they try to stop her.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL9FVwCYuV
“If she shows up, make sure the soldiers know not to stop her. I’ll deal with her.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLjwJrhXeR
“Is that wise given your current nighttime activities?” Mekhi’s eyes trail to the sleeping half naked girl lying on a bearskin rug in the middle of the room. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mGkox0uT3
“Again, she made the choice to leave.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRPwwK39Jy
Mekhi nods and leaves the room. Malich stands and walks over to the girl lying on the floor of his office. He cannot recall what her name is, not that it matters, and he can vaguely recall how she got here. One things for sure though, spirits were involved. Lots and lots of spirits. It’s how he chased thoughts of the beautiful assassin away. What better way to get over one female than to climb on top of another? Or so the saying goes. It doesn’t work. Their faces somehow become her face, whether his eyes are closed or not. And those he manages to take to bed sober never seem to measure up to the one he wishes were there. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fkoL4P324
The more he stares at the naked girl on the floor the more he’s reminded of who she is not. The last thing he wants is to think about Arya, so he nudges the sleeping girl with his foot and she stirs, eyes fluttering open. “Get out,” he tells her. The girl groggily reaches for her clothes, dresses and quickly leaves.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9rBtQ8uk1
Malich has second thoughts about denying Arya’s request. It would give him a chance to see her again. He quickly shakes the thought from his head and just in time to watch Kahlem, Arokin, and Bevi come strolling into his office like they own the place.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHSnep8hyR
“What part of get the fuck out of my palaceled you to believe I’d welcome a future visit?” Malich glares at them.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD6a2SeSWg
Bevi pulls his lips back from his teeth, taking a step forward, ready to launch into a tirade, but Kahlem places a hand against his chest, pushing him back in line. “It has come to our attention that the Seelie Queen has recently parted ways with you,” Kahlem smirks.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRpnsTdBny
Malich tilts his head at them, narrowing his eyes. “Get to the fucking point.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVgviuVqMu
Kahlem wags a finger at him, “Tsk-tsk-tsk, brother I do believe the Queens sudden departure has left you a bit cranky.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC8oMah12d
“And bored,” Malich doesn’t bother denying his misery, “Either get to the point or leave.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ5HnyAB9Y
“Very well then. As you already know or will soon find out, Sen is with child-”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMTqicVdCH
“My apologies,” he mutters beneath his breath.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUkQj70B83
“Excuse me,” Kahlem fixes him with a glare.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq2U8qsI1C
“I said my apologies…to your unborn child of course. It’s a shame we can’t all pick our parents,” he speaks up so everyone can hear him clearly.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡHboACHMxVp
The last strand of resolve holding Kahlem’s temper in check snaps and he quickly rises from his seat. Small bolts of lightening dance across his chest. “I gave you back your wretched life and I can take it all away,” Kahlem leans in close in order to peer into Malich’s soul, “Again.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDkztEHufQ
Malich tips his head back and roars with laughter, clasping a hand to his stomach. He quickly wipes the smile from his face and leans in so Kahlem will know he is not intimidated in the least. “I am not the same boy of fifteen cycles. While you and the others were safely locked behind palace doors with your guards and your servants tending to your every need, I was in the trenches up to my elbows in shit. You don’t scare me in the least, none of you. Now state your business and leave. Take your shadows with you,” Malich points to Arokin and Bevi with his chin.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5gAZo1s73
Kahlem pulls back, his lightening still dancing across his chest, and regains his composure. “I have arranged several suitable wives for you. You’ll be at court tomorrow at sundown where you will meet and choose your bride. That is an order.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OfspRacp5
A bride. Thatwas their master plan? He’d laugh in their faces if he actually found them worth the effort. “Anything else?”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEIXecBVGR
“So you’ll be there?” Arokin asks.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeW2PVrQoz
Malich studies each of their faces. They are eager for him to accept. “I’ll come to Court, and I’ll browse through your selection of brides, but I’ll make my choice when I’m good and ready and not a moment sooner.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsn8VNZ50p
Satisfied with that answer, they incline their heads to him. He expects them to leave, but they remain. “One last order of business. The royal roads-”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC3Tzh5bdM
“My roads,” Malich interrupts, correcting Kahlem.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z0Y2PUuGj
Kahlem bristles at being corrected by someone beneath his station. “I have a shipment of grain and you’re going to let it through.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zLrIHeIMf
“What makes you think that?” Malich eyes him incredulously.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XRaRrsWCG
“Because I’m asking you too-”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFGJEIyydf
“Are you?” Malich cut him off, continuing to push his buttons. “I have yet to hear anything that sounds even remotely like a question.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgODHwkWe7
Kahlem’s temples flare. He ignores Malich and continues. “In exchange, I will make sure to put in a good word for you with princess Grayson. Her father is in the last stages of consumption and expected to expire any day now. When he does, you’ll be king of the Fall Court.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl52wWuYT6
“Trying to satiate me with the title you took from me by marrying me into another court won’t work.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCMllq4UYh
“It’s either that or back to the Redlands you go, a nameless outlaw.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RxYufvPbJ
“It would be more fuel for me to conquer the other planes and then come back to snuff you all out,” Malich folds his arms across his chest. He isn’t in the mood for neither games nor threats.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm53pC0TBT
“A threat to a King is punishable by death,” Arokin finally speaks. The three of them are like children trying to browbeat others into submission.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gwMCScGNb
“Lucky for me he is only actingas King while father is away, or being held captive if not dead already.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX2wVxLqnW
A light comes on in Kahlem’s head and he smiles. “Make sure you are there tomorrow to choose your bride, and let our grain through Malich.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡakjgnISnCt
“Your highness,” Malich corrects him, “Only my friends and family call me Malich.”copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDJOplGC2t
“Your highness.” Kahlem inclines his head. He leaves taking Arokin and Bevi with him. Whatever that smile was about Malich knew he’d walked right into it. He only wished he knew what itwas.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0qQxmoiNL
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