Reign the Earth (The Elementae #1)(47)

“Of course you like milling—it isn’t difficult for you,” Adria whined.

His shoulders lifted. “If I’m being honest, not much is difficult for me.”

“Hiding is probably difficult for you,” I told him with a smile.

“And you probably sink like a stone in the water,” Adria said, crossing her arms.

“I’m an excellent swimmer,” he said defensively.

“You must have been hit by a tree branch or two riding on a horse,” I said. “You’re so very tall.”

His brows knit together. “Occasionally.”

“What do you do when you have a wound?” Adria asked, a hint of a smile on her face. “There’s no way you could hold a needle with your giant, calloused hands.”

“I rub some dirt in it and move on with my life,” he grunted. “I don’t like this conversation anymore.”

Adria snorted. “You started it.”


Calix and I arrived separately to dinner, but neither Danae nor Galen appeared for the meal. Calix took my hand as soon as I sat, kissing it, smiling at me. “How was your day of labor, my love?” he asked.

I smiled back, though it didn’t feel as real as I wished. “Difficult,” I said. “There was much work to be done, but they all took to it. We fed everyone who needed food.”

“Fantastic,” he said. “Quite an endearing display.”

I nodded. “Your people love you, Calix,” I told him.

His smile grew thin. “And yet this Resistance continues. They rebel. They don’t trust my rule.”

“No,” I assured him. “It’s just difficult to look past a hungry belly.”

His thumb pushed over my fingers. “Hmm,” he said, looking forward. “This worked well, but the more ideas you have, the more I will think you are displeased with my reign.”

And there it was, the reproach I had been waiting for since the day began. I walked along the edge of a knife with him, balancing between being a queen and a traitor.

I squeezed his hand. “Never, my king.”

But no matter what he said, my actions at the mill were real. I was helping, and changing things for the fate of our people. This was the road to peace, without bloodshed or death. And his words could not chase that from my heart.


That night, I woke with a gasp to darkness. “Enter,” Calix called, and I twisted, realizing it was still night, and there must be someone at the door.

A jarring flare of light burst into the room as a guard entered our chamber with a torch in hand. I scrambled to cover myself, and Calix snarled, “Turn away!” to the offending guard.

The man spun before he could even take a full breath, and Calix moved from the bed, finding my coat and handing it to me. I slid into it, clutching it closed. “What is going on?” I asked him.

“Report,” Calix snapped, scowling as he found his own clothing.

“The quaesitori sent urgent word for you, my king,” the guard said.

“Bring it to me,” he said, and the guard came closer, holding out a folded page.

Calix took it, opening it and reading the contents while the guard stood there.

“Guards!” Calix shouted. Theron appeared in the doorway, bowing, awaiting orders. “Make ready to leave within the hour. Notify my council as well.” Calix glanced at me, and then at the guard with the torch. “And gouge out his eyes.”

“My—my king!” he pleaded. I looked to Calix, confused. Surely—Calix couldn’t mean—

“Be grateful I don’t demand your life for defiling the queen,” Calix said. “You are dismissed.”

The guard ran out of the room, and Theron grimly watched him go before leaving as well, closing the door.

“Calix,” I begged, getting out of bed. “Calix, please, you cannot take that man’s eyes. I am not defiled. He didn’t harm me in any way.”

My coat had parted, and he stopped and stared at me, and the narrow piece of flesh exposed by the gap. He shook his head slowly. “No man could see you in such a state and not covet you, my love. It was a mistake not to kill him—but you make me lenient.”

“But you called him into the room!”

Calix’s eyes narrowed. “And did I also tell him to stare upon your naked body? No. You would have him stare at you? Wasn’t it you who said that a desert man would never let another covet his wife?” He stepped closer to me, sliding his hands under the coat. “You cannot question me like this, Shalia. I am your king. And though I am pleased you waited until we were alone to do it, it needs to stop. Do you understand me?”

I shivered, casting my eyes down from his hard gaze. “Where are you going?” I asked.

“South,” he said, drawing away from me and pulling his clothing on. “My quaesitori believe they have a breakthrough.”

“What do you mean?”

“They think they can re-create the elixir,” he told me. “I must go see the results immediately.”

My heart jumped. “I will come with you.”

“No,” he said sternly.

“Calix,” I insisted. “You have trusted me with this from the beginning. Why would you not do so now?”

“It is gruesome work,” he told me, his eyes narrowing.