Page 40

The boy nodded.

“Show me.”

The boy’s face lit up, as if he was waiting for this moment all his life. If it were true that he possessed air magic, then maybe he really had.

The boy held his hands out in front of him and closed his eyes for one second before a large gust of wind crossed through the room. Strong enough that I had to stop my crown from falling off my head.

The gust of wind ended just as quickly as it had begun. I instantly stood from my throne.

“How long have you had this magic?” I asked him, genuinely curious to see another fae with magic here in Rewyth.

“The last few months,” he answered, keeping his eyes glued to the ground. He was nervous about his power, likely unsure how I would use him. Friend or weapon? Ally or enemy?

“Good,” I answered. “We’ll have plenty of time to strengthen your gift. You’ll live here in the castle and we’ll get you the training you need. What is your name, boy?”

The boy’s eyes shot up, mouth agape. “Thank you! Thank you! My name is Kylar,” he said. “You won’t regret this, King Malachi. I promise you!”

I nodded to the guards, and the boy was escorted out of the throne room.

One down. The boy would be useful to us, no doubt.

But I was certain my luck would not continue.

“Bring the next one in,” I ordered Ser.

He obeyed, and within a few seconds, I was looking at an older woman. Still fae, but by the looks of it, she was at least a few centuries old.

“I come with your tithe, dear king,” she said, tossing a small bag of golden coins at the guard who stood at the bottom of the stairs.

“Your service will not be forgotten,” I recited. “The kingdom thanks you.”

The woman scoffed and rolled her bright green eyes. “Keep your thanks.”

I didn’t say another word as she was escorted out of the room.

“What was that about?” I asked the guards as soon as she was gone.

“It’s expected to have some resistance to the new reign,” one of my guards, Doromir, spoke up. He was an older guard, one that worked for my father for many years.

But he had also worked for me. I trusted him and his experience. “I can’t imagine why someone would resistmyreign,” I muttered. “My father’s death was the best thing to happen to this kingdom.”

“It’s not your reign they resist,” he said. “It’s change. Who knows what types of rumors have been circulating.”

“Great. Let the next one in, then. Wouldn’t want to disappoint.”

Only it wasn’t a citizen who entered the room next.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

Jade strolled forward, a sleek black dress clinging to her curves as she moved. Her hair was pin-straight down her back, and a golden crown, one that matched my own, sat upon her head.

Saints save me.

“I was informed it was my duty to accompany you at your first tithe. Apologies for my lateness.”

I looked for any signs of deception in her face, but found none.

Jade had actually come to run the tithe with me.