King Gaius nodded. “I’m overwhelmed by how courageous the Paelsians have been through these lean years. My heart bleeds for their suffering. But the time has come to change all of that.”
“What do you propose?” King Corvin asked, with a noticeable thread of distaste when speaking to the Limerian king. “Should we begin a charity for them? Collect money? Clothing? A food drive, perhaps? Allow more open travel between our lands? There’s been a great deal of poaching here from Paelsians over the years. Is this something you think I should simply turn a blind eye to?”
“If our borders were fully open to each other, poaching would not occur. It would not be stealing then.”
King Corvin templed his fingers and looked across the table at him steadily. “I’m certainly open to discussion on all matters.”
“Yes, well, discussion would be lovely,” King Gaius said, “if this was twenty years ago and my father still ruled. But times have changed.”
King Corvin regarded him with barely veiled distaste. “Then what do you want?”
“Change,” King Gaius said simply. “On a much grander scale.”
“Such as?”
King Gaius leaned back in his chair. “Chief Basilius and I want to take Auranos and divide it evenly between us.”
King Corvin was quiet for a moment, holding the other king’s gaze. Finally his lips peeled back from straight white teeth and he laughed. “Oh, Gaius. I forgot how much you enjoy joking around.”
King Gaius didn’t crack a smile. “I’m not joking.”
King Corvin’s expression went cold as ice. “You want me to believe that you’ve aligned with this chieftain to take my land and split it. You must think I’m very stupid. There’s another reason. What’s your real goal here? And why now, Gaius? After all this time?”
“When better?” was all King Gaius allowed.
King Corvin cast a pitying look at Chief Basilius. “You trust him with something this important?”
“Completely. He proved himself to me in ways that very few ever would dare to. He honored me with a true sacrifice. That is worth its weight in gold to me.”
“Then you’re an unforgivable fool.” King Corvin pushed back from the table and got to his feet. “This meeting is over. I have more to worry about right now than listening to nonsense.”
“We’re giving you this one chance to agree to our terms,” King Gaius said, undeterred. “You would be wise to accept. Your family would be treated well. You would be given a new home. An allowance. There doesn’t need to be any blood shed because of this.”
“Everything you touch becomes stained with blood, Gaius. That’s why you haven’t been welcome in my kingdom for ten years.” He turned toward the door and a guard pushed it open.
“We have your daughter.”
King Corvin’s shoulders tensed and he slowly turned around. His annoyed expression had shifted to something much more dangerous. “I don’t think I heard you right.”
“Your daughter, Cleiona.” Gaius enunciated the words perfectly. No room for misunderstanding. “Seems that she was found wandering through Paelsia without protection. Not very wise for a princess, is it?”
Jonas tried very hard to keep any expression off his face. This was what he’d waited for all this time and why he hadn’t killed Cleo himself. Instead, the promise of her continued life would be used to ensure a brighter future for his home and family.
“You really shouldn’t let your youngest travel to other lands without proper protection,” King Gaius said. “But don’t worry. I’ll personally ensure her safety.”
“You dare to threaten me?” King Corvin’s words were edged in poison.
King Gaius spread his hands. “It’s very simple. Surrender your kingdom when we return with our combined army at our backs. And no one will have to suffer.”
King Corvin’s grip on the edge of the doorway was so tight that Jonas was sure he would tear off a strip of wood from it at any moment. “Harm my daughter and I will personally tear you apart.”
King Gaius remained calm. “How could I wish harm to your youngest, Corvin? I know the love a father has in his children. My eldest, Magnus, for example, is proving his worth in so many ways. Even right at this moment. I’m very proud of him. As I’m sure you’re proud of your daughters. You have two, do you not?” The Limerian king frowned. “The older one, I’ve heard, has fallen quite ill. Will she recover?”
“Emilia is fine.”
King Corvin was lying. Jonas saw it in his eyes.
Cleo claimed to have journeyed into Paelsia chasing after the legend of an exiled Watcher who might be able to save her sister’s life. She’d been telling him the truth. The truth when he’d only expected more lies.