Salt Storm: The Salted Series: Episodes #31-35 by Galvin, Aaron (top 5 books to read TXT) 📗

lent some credence to the notion that it is you who are the king’s true heir and not your brother.” He studied her closer. “And, despite your situation now, you do look the part of a royal heir, once you’ve been attended to, that is.”

Sydney took up his meaning. My title? That’s what you came here about?

“In part,” said Malik. “Much as your supposed birthright continues to serve your father’s needs, I would have it serve me and my Orcs in the future also.”

The hairs on Sydney’s arms raised at the implication he made. I would never serve you, she said. I’d rather die.

“You might still do,” said Malik. “If you understood what disobedience might cost.”

Sydney shivered further at his tone.

Malik continued on. “You asked why the king continues this farce of you being his benevolent daughter? Why he dresses you up before crowd, yet scorns you in private? The answer exists in the same lie that I sold to him about your brother and his former guardian.”

Sydney shook her head. What do you mean? How is pretending that I’m the princess the same as showing everyone the bodies of someone you pretended to be my brother and Barb? She choked on the name of her mother’s dead friend.

“Because the best of lies contain a grain of truth, my dear,” said Malik. “For whether they be truth or lies in your words and actions, people see and hear what they want in others, girl. Again, it makes no difference whether it be truth or fantasy at the core of such arguments. When it comes to willful blindness in the hallowed halls of tragedy and love, kings are no more immune than the lowest born.” He nodded at Sydney. “Take you, for example. You were positioned at the king’s side since coming into our capital. Darius had his doubts then of your origins, I’m sure, but he ignored them in favor of his want to believe you as his rightful daughter with his beloved queen. Instead, he turned his questioning thoughts and doubt on your brother’s absence.” Malik chuckled. “For what it’s worth to you, I have never doubted the truth you and your mother gave the king in testifying as to why you came into the Salt. The same goes for the reason your brother was left behind. Ah, but doubt is a more fickle beast entirely. Truth cuts deep, but clean, girl. Doubt is like a dull blade, leaving one to hack endlessly away at their target and tire them for their efforts. All to never achieve the true end . . . all their time and efforts spent upon a phantom victim that eludes them in the end, for it were never truly there to begin with. So . . . which would you rather have, girl? Your father’s doubt, or my truth?”

Neither, said Sydney. I don’t trust either of you.

“You are as great a fool as Darius, then,” said Malik. “Here be my truth, savage, and recognize it as a just claim for the pain it causes you. I have no doubt that your brother is indeed alive . . . for now. From where his guardian was found, I gather she meant to take him to your grandfather and the royal seat of the eastern waters in Harpoon Ditch. My Orcs continue their pursuit and hunt for him there even as we speak. If they find Prince Jun, they will kill him on sight and dispose of the body that the crowd and king believe they have already seen delivered. Then, all that I said today at the trials is already made true and with none the wiser for it.”

Except me now, said Sydney, rising in her cage despite the needling cold within her. And what if Jun escapes your Orcs?

Malik shrugged. “Then, I find it fortunate I have another royal family member already in my grasp to bargain with.”

But I’m not royal, said Sydney. The king isn’t my father.

Malik smirked again. “And I should say that the people believe you are,” he replied. “Despite putting your mother on trial, the king has continued positioning you ever at his side at my insistence. There will be whispers about your legitimacy, of course, especially after I presented your brother’s supposed body with a Nomad tail. Those whispers will turn to a roar if unattended and left to your father’s machinations, but . . . in the hands of a stronger leader who claims elsewise? A leader who silences all who would speak against such rumors . . .” Malik let the idea hang, his eyes working over Sydney’s face.

No. Sydney thought, then, a swoop of her tail sending her to the back of her cell.

Malik laughed at the response. “Rest easy, girl. I have no lust for you. It’s your title alone that calls a stirring in me.”

“Why?”

“Oh, I can imagine many things, Princess,” said Malik, marching around her tank. “Already I have been welcomed back into this city as a potential savior with a Nomad horde aligning against us in the West. No doubt your grandfather already rallies his own armies and means to bring his Merrows from the East as well to stop this mummer’s farce of his daughter queen shamed and put on trial for the traitor that she is. For all I know, your grandfather might even mean to kill your mother himself for sleeping with a savage. Intentions make no difference to me, you understand. But, with all those outside forces descending upon us, who then to lead the defense of our once great city? Who would you have rise to swim against our enemies and lead us back into the glory days of old?” His grin widened. “That is why your father welcomed me and my Orcs back into the fold with open arms, savage. Why he agreed to any terms I asked of him too.”

“Terms?” Sydney asked.

“Aye,” said Malik. “Rest assured, it was not your father’s initial intentions to