Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,197

This place pisses me off.”

Sam pulled Kael from his sheath and poked the tip of the blade into the wooden footboard at the end of the bed. “I know I should be more patient, but I’ve killed so many people since we’ve arrived, and for what? It was all to get here, and now that we are, I’m about to lose my mind. We don’t know if this guy will even listen to us.”

Sam stormed across the room and looked out the window. The torches above the arena were glowing in the distance. “How am I going to make a king believe I’m here to create an empire to set an example for the worlds to follow? He’ll see me as a threat or even a traitor. I need a vacation.”

Shalee could only smile at Sam’s outburst. “Would you relax? Maybe you don’t have to kiss his butt after all. Just be bold.”

The sorceress took Kael out of Sam’s hand. Seeing the damage the blade had caused to the bed, she commanded Precious to fix the marks that had been cut into the wood and then returned the blade to its sheath. “You know I’ve got your back, Sam.”

“So what would you have me do?”

“For heaven’s sake, show them your strength. Just shake the guy’s hand like you did Aaron’s and see how it goes. I know you don’t like politics. Use the fact we’re not from here to cut through the red tape. If that doesn’t work, just piss him off.” She tapped the butt end of Precious on the floor. “I’ll take care of everything else. I’ll do it all nice and tidy-like. When I’m done, we’ll have the king’s attention. His ears will open up. After all, we’ve been sent here by the gods. Let’s act like it. Let’s take charge.”

Sam looked back out the window. They had been given a room near the prince, and from this part of the castle, the city stretched as far as he could see. The architecture was different than that of West Utopia. Brandor reminded Sam of Camelot with a dash of Roman influence.

Although this city was built with attention to detail, he liked the architecture of West Utopia better. The Romanesque style of that city felt like it had more class.

Sam could not understand why the king would allow his realm to have so many different forms of architecture. If he was king, there would be consistency to the grand design. He thought, This hodgepodge of styles is something that should bother Shalee, not me. She’s the architect.

After a moment, Sam turned from the window. “Exactly how would you have my back? I can only assume you’re referring to your magic. Give me an idea of what you’re talking about. I need some news that will make me feel better right now.”

“I can do more than that,” Shalee responded as she scanned the room. In one of the corners of their suite, she saw a potted plant containing loose gravel. She grabbed it, ripped it out, handed the pot to Sam and then moved to the far side of the room. “I want you to take a handful of that gravel and throw it at me as hard as you can.”

“I can’t do that. I’d hurt you.”

“Don’t be so sure. I wouldn’t tell you to do something unless I knew I was going to be okay. Throw it, you big sissy.”

“Are you sure?” Sam said with a look of uncertainty.

“Just throw it, and I’ll make it worth your while.” She licked her lips to emphasize her point.

Sam grinned as he grabbed a handful. He reached back and threw it.

The sorceress had already lifted Precious and was speaking her command. The pebbles stopped in front of her face and stayed suspended. She walked around them, methodically circling the floating stones while she plucked a few from the air. She turned to face her lover and then flicked one at him.

Sam dodged as he watched the pebble fly past his face.

Grinning, Shalee emptied the remaining pebbles in her hand into Sam’s palm and then passed her hand seductively across his chest as she headed toward the bed. “Be a darling, and put the rest of them back for me. I’ll be waiting.”

After passing through the door of the washroom, she poked her head around the corner while she changed. Her voice was seductive. “Hurry, Sammy-kins.”

Sam turned back to face the floating rocks. With haste, he gathered them up and threw them