The Sartious Mage (The Rhythm of Rivalry) Read Online Free

others that are even worse.”
    Hot anger surged through me. How could he speak like that about my darkness—like he understood it in the least? But I knew this conversation would be over the moment I erupted, so I said nothing.
    “I can see you think I’m wrong.” He showed an annoyed glance to Micah standing beside his throne. “The boy doesn’t trust his king.”
    Micah looked down toward the ruler with a curious smile and said, “Trust is an intriguing thing.”
    “What do you mean by that?” The King’s question was hurried, but his face held curiosity.
    “For some, trust is fragile, difficult to create, and easily broken. For others, trust is firmly grounded, easy to set, and nearly impossible to move.”
    Micah stood upright, his wrists never unfolding. His eyes shifted toward me. “But I think Jek’s trust is like mine, my king.”
    “And how is that?” Danvell had wide eyes.
    “A block of stone,” Micah said. “You hammer away at it with a chisel until it’s finally shaped into a beautiful statue, everlasting.” He produced a warm smile for the King and then looked back toward me with a nod so subtle I couldn’t even be sure I’d seen it. His words and expressions were seamless. I wondered if they’d been rehearsed, even.
    “Very good,” the King said, now with a grin of his own. He leaned back and looked at me through the bottoms of his eyes. “You’ll learn to trust me. After you calm yourself and realize that what I have to offer is far better, then you’ll see I have your best interests at heart. Then, when I have more time, we can discuss methods of curing this darkness without you losing your magic ability.”
    It had taken so long to get to his offer, my curiosity already had faded. “And what is it that you have to offer?” I figured the best way out of this charade was to hear his poisonous alternative and then politely choose the cure.
    “This is what you want.” He raised a finger with each item he listed. “Money, land, power, and the opportunity to help the good people of your realm.” He pushed out his hand. “Four things, all of which I can give you with one simple ‘yes’ from you.”
    I was too skeptical to be intrigued and too tired to pretend otherwise. I let my mouth and eyes rest flat.
    “Before I go any further, I’m going to make one demand,” the King said in a scolding tone. “You can say only one more word. This has already gone on too long, and your attitude has been far from respectful.”
    It looked like my building anger was shared by Danvell. His fist was balled, the other squeezed tightly around his chalice.
    “Now, I think it’s fate that you happened to come back on the same day as my daughter Lisanda’s wedding. What more perfect way to conclude this than with a double wedding? It took half a year to set up Lisanda’s nuptials and more money than I wish to mention. It would simply be a small ceremony for you and my other daughter, Jessend, and all would be done. I already know my daughters would love to be married under the same ceremony. They’d planned for it in the past—before Jessend’s unfortunate luck with the other men she was to marry. We can discuss my other plans for you when it’s done.”
    I was too annoyed to hide my disinterest, giving a loud sigh. I didn’t share the same dream that most others did; I had no interest in marrying a princess. How would that help me with my darkness? Not to mention, it was Jessend he was offering, and all I knew about her was what he’d just said: She’s had unfortunate luck with the other men she was to marry—not “man” but “men.” I didn’t like the sound of that.
    His other plans for me felt more like a burden than an opportunity, as well, like when traveling merchants have “the perfect thing” for you after you’ve already told them you aren’t interested in the first item they offered. If it’s the perfect thing for me, why not lead with it?
    Danvell’s face twisted