The Rising (The Rising #4) - Kristen Ashley Page 0,67
instituting the changes in a ‘much more manageable and palatable manner,’” Cassius answered.
He then tossed back a large measure of whiskey.
True felt Farah’s hand on his thigh give him a squeeze.
He looked down to her where she sat at his side on the sofa.
He then gave a short nod that this was true.
Her mouth grew tight.
True sighed.
Suffice it to say, their trip to Slán Bailey had been a waste of time.
Thus, they were all here, in the red room, having drinks prior to dinner, and those drinks were much needed.
“And your answer was?” Jorie asked.
“I gave them an option of where they could shove their ten- to fifteen-year plan,” Cassius drawled.
Jorie roared with laughter.
Still in the midst of it, he turned to Aramus and queried, “How did I not know these landed had such very big balls?”
“Because prior to Cass, there was Gallienus, and he only used his balls to think, and considering the way he managed his rule, it is clear they were very small. And prior to True, was Wilmer, and he didn’t have any balls at all.” Aramus then looked to True and said, “I hope you take no offense, my brother.”
“Would that one day I would find I am also of the Mer,” True muttered in answer, before he lifted his glass and drew in his own large measure of whiskey.
He heard chuckles about him, but he used his concentration to swallow.
“True,” Farah whispered.
He looked to her.
“I am not offended, sweetling,” he assured, and it was not a lie.
She studied him a moment before she nodded.
“Negotiations rather broke down after that,” Cass finished.
“Because you walked out of the room,” Aramus reported, smiling broadly at Cassius.
“Thus,” Ian entered the conversation, “I had the honor of sharing with Lord Felix that Cass is disbanding the feudal system and that, should he survive his term for treason against the crown, he will have no castle to return to. But regardless, in the now, he should endeavor to spend less time attempting to communicate with the AG in this ongoing conflict and more time trying to find someplace for his wife, sons and daughter to live for they’re soon to be turned out and their home made into an orphanage.”
“I’m certain that went over well,” Silence noted, her eyes twinkling, her wee monkey hiding in the fall of her hair at her shoulder.
“He not only damned Cassius and Elena’s line for eternity, but mine too,” Ian replied to Silence.
“Oh no, does he have magic in his blood?” Silence asked worriedly.
“There has not been any real magic in the royal lines of landed Triton since the Sky King clashed against the Fire King,” Jorie declared.
Everyone looked to him.
“They were both stout. Both mighty. Both had magic. And both fell in love with the same woman,” Jorie intoned. “She was an extraordinary beauty. Born,” he turned his eyes to True, “to the green.”
He looked about the room, saw he had everyone’s attention, and carried on.
“The firstborn, the Fire King, who had dominion over their realm, felt, as the firstborn, and as the true king, he should be able to lay claim to her. The second born, the Sky King, who ruled at his brother’s behest the northern regions of their realm, felt they should play out a challenge, the victor winning her. The Fire King refused the challenge and spoke loud and much, which reached far, about how he would not do so as he did not wish to humiliate his younger kin. This infuriated the Sky King, and he demanded satisfaction. The Fire King responded by abducting the fair maiden from her green land, imprisoning her in his castle of sand and showering her with jewels and love and affection until she was utterly besotted with him.”
“That sounds like one of your forebears,” Silence murmured, and Mars grinned down at her unrepentantly.
“Stealing through the dunes,” Jorie went on, “the Sky King infiltrated the castle of sand, and in his turn, seized her and took her to his keep on the black cliffs by the sea. There, he taught her the names of the stars and manipulated the clouds to form visions of her beauty in the sky. And he promised her their love would be written, her name on the sun, and his name on the moon, forevermore. Which, of course meant she became utterly besotted with him.”
True noted Cassius staring at Jorie with an inscrutable expression on his face.
While Elena gazed at Cassius with easily read devotion.