Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1)(75)

The chief nodded at each of them. “This is Jonas Agallon and Brion Radenos.”

“They’re your guards?”

“More than that. Jonas is soon to become my son-in-law.”

Jonas felt Brion’s surprised gaze land on him.

Son-in-law? A sick feeling churned in his gut. Perhaps it would be wise to end things with Laelia sooner than he’d planned. She obviously had the wrong impression about their future together. Jonas heard a sound. He thought it was a muffled snort of laughter coming from Brion’s direction even though there was nothing remotely funny about this. He kept his eyes forward, not leaving King Corvin for a moment.

“Must we feign civil conversation?” the king of Auranos said tightly. “Say what you came here to say and be done with it.”

“I consider you a very good friend, Corvin.” King Gaius offered him a warm smile. “I know I should have made more of an effort to keep our ties strong.”

“Were they ever strong?”

“We have so much in common. Two prosperous lands flanking that of Paelsia. Three lands that could be very strong together. Close friendships will make it even stronger.”

“So you’re offering me friendship today,” the king said thinly and with distrust etched into his expression. “Is that it?”

King Gaius nodded gravely. “Friendship above all. Family above all. I know what it’s like to have a young family. To hope for a brighter future for them. Paelsia, however, has fallen on much harder times than we have.”

“And you wish to help them.”

“With all my heart.”

King Corvin glanced at Chief Basilius. “I know that Paelsia prides itself on being a sovereign state. You’ve not asked for any assistance, nor have we offered any. But I truly didn’t realize how difficult times have been for you.”

Jonas found this impossible to believe, but he swallowed back any poisonous comments that rose in his throat.

“We are a proud people,” the chief said. “We tried to resolve our problems by ourselves.”

King Gaius nodded. “I’m overwhelmed by how courageous the Paelsians have been through these lean years. My heart bleeds for their suffering. But the time has come to change all of that.”

“What do you propose?” King Corvin asked, with a noticeable thread of distaste when speaking to the Limerian king. “Should we begin a charity for them? Collect money? Clothing? A food drive, perhaps? Allow more open travel between our lands? There’s been a great deal of poaching here from Paelsians over the years. Is this something you think I should simply turn a blind eye to?”

“If our borders were fully open to each other, poaching would not occur. It would not be stealing then.”

King Corvin templed his fingers and looked across the table at him steadily. “I’m certainly open to discussion on all matters.”

“Yes, well, discussion would be lovely,” King Gaius said, “if this was twenty years ago and my father still ruled. But times have changed.”

King Corvin regarded him with barely veiled distaste. “Then what do you want?”

“Change,” King Gaius said simply. “On a much grander scale.”

“Such as?”

King Gaius leaned back in his chair. “Chief Basilius and I want to take Auranos and divide it evenly between us.”

King Corvin was quiet for a moment, holding the other king’s gaze. Finally his lips peeled back from straight white teeth and he laughed. “Oh, Gaius. I forgot how much you enjoy joking around.”

King Gaius didn’t crack a smile. “I’m not joking.”

King Corvin’s expression went cold as ice. “You want me to believe that you’ve aligned with this chieftain to take my land and split it. You must think I’m very stupid. There’s another reason. What’s your real goal here? And why now, Gaius? After all this time?”

“When better?” was all King Gaius allowed.

King Corvin cast a pitying look at Chief Basilius. “You trust him with something this important?”

“Completely. He proved himself to me in ways that very few ever would dare to. He honored me with a true sacrifice. That is worth its weight in gold to me.”

“Then you’re an unforgivable fool.” King Corvin pushed back from the table and got to his feet. “This meeting is over. I have more to worry about right now than listening to nonsense.”

“We’re giving you this one chance to agree to our terms,” King Gaius said, undeterred. “You would be wise to accept. Your family would be treated well. You would be given a new home. An allowance. There doesn’t need to be any blood shed because of this.”

“Everything you touch becomes stained with blood, Gaius. That’s why you haven’t been welcome in my kingdom for ten years.” He turned toward the door and a guard pushed it open.

“We have your daughter.”

King Corvin’s shoulders tensed and he slowly turned around. His annoyed expression had shifted to something much more dangerous. “I don’t think I heard you right.”

“Your daughter, Cleiona.” Gaius enunciated the words perfectly. No room for misunderstanding. “Seems that she was found wandering through Paelsia without protection. Not very wise for a princess, is it?”