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But I couldn’t shake the feeling that washed over me when I saw the pained look in his eyes as he went.

CHAPTER15

Malachi

The tithe happened at the beginning of every season. My father used to say it was for the purpose of “receiving what was rightfully owed to the castle”.

I had no idea what he meant by that, but the tithes continued, regardless. Year after year, members of Rewyth lined up, ready to offer anything they could as payment to the kingdom.

In return, the King would offer his good graces.

Sometimes the citizens would even hand over their firstborn children, they were so desperate to be seen as noble.

I tried not to actively grimace as I entered the throne room. This was never a room that I liked. It only reminded me of greed.

But that was my fathers reign. All of those terrible memories, all of those moments of brutality that took place on these very stone floors.

That reign was in the past.

I was here to create new memories. New reign. New power.

My heels clicked the shining floor as I walked up the stone stairs and took a seat on the throne that was now nearly overgrown with vines and greenery from the surrounding walls.

I tried to settle in, to relax. The tithe was beneficial to the kingdom, that much held true no matter who sat in this throne. But it also had benefits for the citizens. They had the opportunity to be seen. To have their problems and grievances heard.

Of course, thoseproblemswere rarely handled without bloodshed in this very room while my father reigned.

“Let us know when you’re ready,” Serefin said from the front doors of the room. A small nod of encouragement came soon after, small enough that only I would see.

I took a long breath. This was my first tithe as a king. This was my first opportunity to give everyone the impression of who I was and what I was made of.

It was time these people had peace here in Rewyth.Realpeace.

But at the same time, I wasn’t going to let anyone threaten my position as King of Rewyth.

The golden crown I wore felt heavier than it looked. It cut into my skin at my ears, not helping my irritated mood in the slightest.

“Let them in,” I ordered Ser. He nodded and, with the help of another guard, pulled the massive doors open.

I held my breath and waited.

The first citizen to enter was a young fae, maybe a decade old.

His silver wings were still small, yet they flared around his body confidently. Likely to make himself appear stronger.

I should know. I had been there once.

“My king,” he said as he approached the bottom of the steps. I watched him thoughtfully as he bowed, low and long, before looking me in the eye.

I nodded. A silent gesture of permission to continue speaking.

“My father has grown ill. We–we have no money to pay our tithe. I come here today to offer myself to your court.”

My first instinct was to tell the poor boy to go home. But this was the first citizen of this tithe. The first example. So, instead, I looked the boy in the eye and asked, “And why would I want you in my court?”

The boy blinked once. It was his only sign of surprise. “I–I have special gifts, my king. I can fight in your army. I have been gifted with the power of air magic.”

“Air magic?”