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“If this is about the Proving Ceremony, you won’t sway my decision,” I tell her.
“Then you’ve forbidden it from happening?” she asks. “I won’t lie. It’s relevant to that conversation, but there’s more you need to hear. More that I can’t in good conscience reveal to the council.”
“Arguments that can’t be discussed before the council? That sounds… suspicious,” I muse, propping my chin on my knuckles. “Fine. What is it that you think will change my mind?”
She straightens her back to proudly address me.
“Tell me, is it true that the mating call has not been consummated between you?”
“She walks the surface of this planet safely, accepted by the Kali’Ka. What details would you have me reveal? How many times we’ve mated?” I snort, as if her question is absurd. “Of course you wouldn’t bring this up before council. Because it’s entirely inappropriate.”
“I know that this is a sensitive matter, and that’s why I’m trying to be discreet. But that doesn’t make my concerns any less real.”
“What are you getting at? I don’t have the patience for this.”
“Rumors that your matebond is a sham alliance have reached mine and my mother’s ears. It’s been said that your so-called mate approached you with demands in exchange for her cooperation. Is that the kind of matebond that this community deserves leading us through uncertain times? Is it all lies—”
“You would disgrace my mate, my Ka’lakkori, with this rutting slander?” I thunder the question with barely disguised rage so potent she flinches. But still, she doesn’t relent.
“But what if she were not the true Ka’lakkori? What if it’s all a mistake?”
“This is ludicrous. Have you lost your senses? The spirit has spoken in regard to my mate. If you had a problem with me as ruler, that’s one thing. But you are questioning fate,” I argue, trying to keep a cool head. The last thing I need is to lose my temper with a council member’s daughter. I’ll hear her out, tell her to lodge a complaint before the council if she doesn’t like my answer, and be done with it. The matter will only fester if I overreact.
“You bonded to her when she was on the brink of death,” Annaka says. “If not for the modern technology of regen fluid and our medical staff attending her… The Ka’lakkori wouldn’t have survived.”
As if I need reminders of that painful period of waiting for Frankie’s eyes to open…
“Yes,” I say. “It was a blessing.”
“It was also unnatural, at least in the traditional ways of our planet.”
“I sense where this is going,” I say, gritting my teeth. “And I hesitate to hear more.”
“What if the spirit still sees her life as ended, leaving you in this strange one-sided matebond? The humans feel nothing of the spirit, so how would she know the difference? But I’ve seen it for myself, you are the only participant in that matebond.”
The air in the room shifts, and I sense the gathered warriors stirring with discomfort. My reign over my emotions is snapping quickly. The faces around me show that my expression is hiding nothing. As my eyes pass over the reactions, I realize that Viro has somehow slipped quietly into the room. He’s the only smiling face among them, and when he notices me looking, he casually waves in greeting.
“Whatever the reason,” Annaka continues, face scrunching up as if it pains her. “I’m not the only one who has noticed the distance between you. It’s unnatural. Perhaps this Proving Ceremony would reveal the truth.”
“It sounds to me like you’re suggesting that Francesca should by fate’s design be dead?” I stand up, walking to the front of my desk so that I might tower over her. Let her feel the fury pouring off me and squirm.
“I-I… I didn’t mean th-th—”
“Is it true that you still work under Lalo as a member of her palace staff?” I ask Annaka.
“It’s true,” she confirms.
“I feel uncomfortable at the very thought of you being in such close contact with my Ka’lakkori when you harbor ill will toward her,” I state. “Therefore, you will be removed immediately.”
She is shocked.
Consequences be damned. I don’t care how much retribution Kannita raises on behalf of her daughter. I can’t let this go without making a clear statement on how I treat those who disrespect my bond.
“Make alternative arrangements for your work,” I say as calmly as I can manage. “You won’t be working on the palace staff anymore.”
“Please, have some mercy!” she cries. “This is all I’ve done. You know I’m devoted to this administration, and to you. My family has served your house for generations—”
“Look me in the eyes and know that this is mercy. You won’t have a place on this planet if you ever dare spout that vitriol against my queen’s name again.”
