The king’s guards were so slow that they only arrived in time to zip-tie the mage’s hands behind his back while another guard tossed some of the magic-dispelling powder in his face to nullify his powers. Jakko coughed and then went into a full-on fit, screaming and bucking against Rage and Ozark until four more guards hauled him up into a standing position.

Ozark smoothed his hair, the veins in his neck bulging.

I’d seen what happened to Chinook for disobeying orders. I didn’t want to consider what was about to happen to this young boy. A very stupid young boy.

“Why?” the king asked, his voice breaking.

Did I detect hurt in his voice?

Jakko glared up at him with hatred in his eyes. “I never asked to be a mage slave. I don’t want this life. I want to be free.”

The king shook his head as if scolding a child. “That’s your mother’s fault, child, not mine. No one else wanted you at the market. If I hadn’t bought you, you would’ve starved. Or she would’ve drowned you.”

The color drained from Jakko’s face.

How old had he been when the king brought him here? A baby?

“I have three potential punishments for you. Given that your mother gave you no choice, I’ll let you pick which consequence you want,” the king said.

Jakko swallowed hard.

“One”—the king held up a finger—“I’ll kill you now.”

Beads of sweat formed on Jakko’s face, and his breathing became rapid and shallow.

“Two”—another finger joined the first—“you find me another mage to take your place and work off your debt for the next two years. One of your seven siblings, perhaps. Someone grateful for a roof overhead and three meals a day, all of which I provide for free. Then, you’ll be released onto the street to see what kind of life your freedom brings.” The king’s voice was a low growl, but under the anger, there was something more.

“Or three, you’ll go into the Hole for thirty days. There, you can think about what you’ve done and come out only when you’re grateful for the clothes I put on your back.”

The king spit the final word, and shame colored Jakko’s cheeks.

But had he thought this assassination attempt through, or was he mad at the world and his circumstances and had taken it out on the king? My guess was the latter. We’d seen that the king could be ruthless, but if he married widows to provide for them and took in unwanted children … he could also be merciful.

The king pulled his sword and pointed it at the mage’s chest. “What will it be, son?”

Son.

I knew it! I suppressed the grin tugging on my lips. The king was trying to teach the mage kid a lesson as a parent would. Tough love. The more I saw of this king, the more I liked him.

“Three, sir. I’ll take the Hole. I’m … sorry.” Jakko’s voice was barely a whisper, and tears glistened in his eyes.

The king nodded, and the guards then hauled Jakko off to the Hole—whatever awful place that was.

When he was gone, the king sighed and faced me and Rage.

“That was unexpected though maybe it shouldn’t have been—given Jakko’s circumstances.” He shook his head then stepped over to me. “I owe you a debt of gratitude. Though I wonder why you didn’t let him kill me and walk away with your freedom.”

I smiled. “I’m hoping our people can be allies in the future, but if you’re dead … that doesn’t make for good allies.”

‘Wow. That was pretty good,’ Rage said. ‘You’re getting a hang of this diplomacy thing.’

The king laughed heartily at my comment, but then his face took on a serious expression. “If you ever need a favor, I’ll not deny it.”

The king crossed one fisted arm over his chest and bowed deeply to me.

I tried to suppress my grin and glanced at Rage. ‘Score, right?’

‘Score indeed, love. That favor could come in handy.’ Rage nodded toward the selkie king. ‘You’ll probably get extra points if you bow in return as befits their culture.’

Oooh. I liked bonus points.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I said to the king and bowed, mimicking his movements.

The king spun to Rage and clapped him on the back. “And thank you for taking him to the ground. I’m firing my head guard.”

The man who’d come in with the zip-ties stood against the wall with his arms behind his back. The king looked at him, and he paled.

“You heard me,” King Ozark said. “Run along, Mathews. Send me a replacement by end of day. You’ve been demoted to latrine duty until you pull your head out of your backside.”

Aaand … the ruthless king was back.

“Yes, sir.” The selkie darted a glance toward Steele and then bowed and left.

Apparently, the king liked to make his subjects choose their successors as a form of punishment. Ouch.

“What about the binding?” Rage looked at the tipped over bowls of blood.

Glancing up at the ceiling, the king sighed. “I don’t have another mage here, so will you swear to take your uncle off the throne by next year?”

Rage nodded, a feral gleam in his eye. “I will.”

The king extended his hand. “Then I guess we’re going to lead with trust, and I’ll have to take you at your word. If you betray me, I won’t forget it.”

Rage nodded, and the two of them shook hands.

Then, the king clapped twice and three beautiful women in purple shifts and white aprons entered through a side door.

“Yes, My Liege?” They spoke and then bowed in unison.

Creepy.

“Is our food still warm?” Ozark asked.

Still moving in perfect harmony, they smiled. “Yes, sir, in the dining hall.”

“Let’s eat!” He patted his belly and strode away from the mess like he hadn’t almost been assassinated.

‘I kind of like him,’ I told Rage.

‘Me too,’ he agreed and slipped his hand into mine.

We followed King Ozark into a wide hall, and guilt twisted my insides, followed by a rumble of hunger. ‘If we stay and eat, it’ll delay us getting Justice and Noble from your uncle.’

Rage sighed. ‘I know. But to deny the meal could sour our fragile new alliance. Besides, if we don’t eat, we increase the likelihood of making mistakes with our hunger. My brothers’ll just have to hold on.’

Kill Surlama.

Save Justice and Noble.

Resurrect Honor.

And just over twenty-fourish hours to do it.

Chapter 7

Rage cleared his throat and turned to the selkie king. “The meal was lovely. Thank you.”

Lovely seemed inadequate. I was pregnant with a four-month-old food baby. Warm buttered rolls, fish stew, lobster tails, and honey yams … I could barely breathe.

The king frowned. “That sounds like farewell. Are you leaving so soon?”

Rage shifted in his seat. Pretty sure he didn’t want to offend the king, but we had a list of people to save, and the clock was ticking.

“Sir, like the hive mind you have with your people, my brothers and I have a similar gift. The alpha king is torturing them. I must try to save them … before he kills them.”