Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
You mean, my kingdom.
I concentrated, my fingers forming an invisible vise around his heart. In a swift, merciless move, I clenched my hand.
Vesna let out a choked gasp. His eyes bulged. His last breath escaped in a gurgling whisper. Then he went limp and crashed to the floor.
Yes.
I smiled at his lifeless husk.
This is less messier. I will do that more.
Next was Gael, the youngest and most ambitious of them all.
“C-can we discuss this, master?” He backed away. All of his previous confidence replaced with only fear.
I have no time to discuss anything with you.
With a mere flick of my wrist, I ensnared his body. It shuddered violently in my magical hold.
Let me see. What does the Dazzling Diamond spell look like?
I did the movements, twisting my fingers from side to side, then waving my hand into an arc and finally raising one finger.
Fast, he shattered into countless icy fragments.
I opened my mouth in shock.
Messy too, but very interesting.
The other generals’ screams echoed in the tent.
Did they always scream when I killed men? Or are they screaming now because they know their deaths are coming?
I gazed at the generals. Some appeared ready to flee. Others stood frozen stiff, grasping at their chests.
Time to end this.
I focused my energy on my right hand. One by one, I killed them all, practicing moves that I planned to use on the battlefield if war should come. The ones that tried to run, got the worst of my magic. The few that attempted to be courageous still did not receive mercy. Regardless, their broken bodies crumbled to the floor, and the stench of blood and death wafted through the space.
It is done.
I placed my hands into my cape’s pockets and faced the only general that I had spared.
Faris.
While he stood strong by the table, his gaze darted between the remnants of his former peers.
Frowning, I slipped into his head.
You remained loyal.
Faris swallowed and then gave me a slow nod.
Still. . .you should have come to me.
I leaned my head to the side.
Have you learned that lesson?
Faris bobbed his head. “Yes, master.”
I felt a pang of gratitude, yet my thoughts strayed to Seraphine.
What would she think of this carnage?
My second queen had demanded that I be a better ruler. A benevolent king. Her plea for peace and coexistence echoed in my mind, but the grim reality in front of me suggested that I could never walk that path.
I eyed Faris and asked a question in my head.
A king should be just, should he not?
Faris’s eyes reflected confusion. “Yes, master.”
And. . .justice is not always gentle. Would you agree?
Faris stood there in silence, probably unsure of how to answer. “Uh. . .yes. I think so.”
Hmmm.
When I rummaged through his mind, all I could decipher was his questions on how I had healed. There was no contradictory answers. I returned to his questions, but it was not time for him or anyone to know how I had healed just yet.
I gave him a mental order.
Faris, have this all cleaned up, and then appoint new generals that will be more loyal.
He bowed. “Yes, master.”
Understand this, Faris.
I raised one finger.
He quirked his brows.
If these new generals are not loyal to me, then you will die with them.
“Y-yes, master.”
Frowning, I left him and went back outside, smelling the oncoming rain.
Now, dark clouds hovered in the sky and hid the sun.
I headed forward to my next task, while conflicting emotions spun in my head. While I yearned to please my new queen and give her a gentler rule of less bloodshed, my hand had been forced today.
This was the bitter truth of being a king—sometimes, to ensure peace, one had to wage war.
Many times, to protect, one had to kill.
Seraphine wanted a world where we ruled with kindness and not fear. She believed we could coexist peacefully, even with the other mages who were surely eager for my death and probably hers.
I frowned.
While that was a noble aim, would everyone share that same vision?
Peace was a wonderful ideal, yet survival often demanded violence.
I gazed at the darkening sky, marveling at its beauty and irresistibly drawn towards the mesmerizing canvas. The blue sky bled slowly into hues of lavender and crimson, as if an invisible artist were dipping his brush into a palette of twilight colors and streaking them across the landscape. A few heavy rain clouds glowed faintly with the sun’s radiance.
Continuing to walk off, I released a pleasureful sigh.
Seraphine healed me. She saved me from poisoning generals. And. . .she gave me back the ability to see the beauty of this world.
A silly smirk spread across my face.
Because of that. . .I will fight for her vision of a more peaceful rule, even though I think it will be difficult.
I made a left and headed to the back of the camp.