A Power of Old(7)

“Aren’t you excited?” she asked, squeezing my hand.

I returned her smile. “Honestly, Shortie? I’m terrified.”

“You don’t need to be,” she said. “Well…maybe for the trials…” She trailed off, and I could practically see her brain going into overdrive.

“Stop worrying.” I laughed at her.

“You started it. I was excited for you . . . ”

We entered the belly of the castle, and things seemed to have calmed down. The ministers were no longer behaving like headless birds, but now it was worse. Every time we passed one of them, they would stare at me, eyes practically popping out of their skulls as they looked me up and down, and then took in the group of humans behind me.

“Why aren’t you speaking to them?” Ruby whispered as we passed another pair of ministers.

“I want to find some I know better…most of these ministers don’t know their ass from their elbow.”

“Do you think any of them really knows what’s going on?” she asked.

“Nope.” I grinned. “Maybe that will work to my advantage.”

We turned a corner in the main hallway; I was trying to find my way to the main council room, hoping that I would find Qentos. He was possibly the world’s biggest fool, but he also seemed honest…as far as ministers went.

“Ashbik?” Lieutenant Ragnhild stood in our path, smiling pleasantly at our group. Now that Commander Varga was gone, I supposed Ragnhild was left in charge of the guards. I had never really spoken to him—he was quiet, kept to himself, and didn’t really socialize with any of the other guards in the mess hall. I didn’t know if that was because he was naturally shy, or because he was just stuck-up.

I guess I’m going to find out.

“Lieutenant Ragnhild,” I acknowledged. “Can I help you?”

“I bring word from the ministers. May I speak freely?” he asked, looking at Ruby and then over to the rest of the humans.

“Yes.”

“Very well. The internal ministers of Hellswan have agreed that you are to be named king, but we will need to clear the decision with the Impartial Ministers—we will need their say-so before the coronation can take place, and before you are permitted to take part in the Imperial trials.”

I swallowed.

This is too much…

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” I managed.

Ragnhild made a move to leave. Tradition would have me as a servant bow to him, and him bow to me as a king. But I was not either of those things at the moment…

I offered him my hand, and he shook it, relieved.

“Ashbik, you should know”—he hesitated, glancing around the hallway— “not all want you in power…you will have enemies within the ministry. Might I suggest that you deal with them swiftly? Know that I am at your service.”

This time my thanks were genuine.

I had always known from the beginning that if I were ever to succeed to the throne, there would be many within the ministry who would not want me there. I would have to watch my back…though I had expected that threat to come from the Hellswan family themselves.

Ragnhild left, and we changed course, going back to the human quarters. I didn’t really know where else to go. If the ministers needed to find me, they knew where to look.

“That doesn’t sound good,” Ruby whispered as we continued down the corridor.

“Don’t worry. I always knew that would be the deal. I’ve also got a few more supporters than I thought I would have,” I replied, looking straight at her.

She smiled, but I could tell her mind was elsewhere.

“Are you thinking about the trials?” I asked.

“Queen Trina.”

I shot Ruby a reassuring smile, but if I was perfectly honest with myself I was worried about that too. I had seen the power that she had shown during the trials so far, and the woman was deadly. Fast, vicious, determined. Sometimes I had wondered if she was receiving help from the Impartial Ministers. She always seemed to be prepared, even when the others weren’t. The only time I had seen her truly affected was after the first trial, where they had taken the hallucinogens. I had no idea whose beating heart she had gripped in her fist, but it had hurt her. Badly.

Originally, I had turned a blind eye. I hadn’t wanted to believe that she was getting help from them—all I had cared about was bringing the Hellswan rule to an end. Now my primary goal would be keeping her out of power.

“Ashbik?”

I heard the quivering voice of Qentos behind me, and turned to face him. Lithan was at his side, his beady little eyes fixed on my hand holding Ruby’s.

“Yes?” I retorted. They had already started to irritate me.