Dawn of Cobalt Shadows (Burning Empire Book 2) by Emma Hamm (free novels to read TXT) 📗

was faced with people who didn’t want to work with a dragon, or those who didn’t like change. But he’d fought each battle as Sigrid had taught him.

Quietly. With poise and a calm demeanor that won people over before they even realized they’d let him do what he wanted.

He just hadn’t realized it would make him so tired.

Clearing his throat, he pressed his spine against the back of the throne and nodded. “Say it one more time. I want to make sure I understand the issue fully before I give my verdict.”

The man in front of him wasn’t the man he remembered before. This was just a farmer, and wasn’t he supposed to be a tailor? Or had his eyes closed before the other man had even left?

The farmer gave him an odd look, but clasped his hands in front of him once more. “My cows have a sickness, Sultan. I’m inquiring if I may go outside of the city to buy new ones from Misthall?”

Oh, that was all? Nadir waved his hand in the air. “Please do. Take a few other farmers with you. Perhaps they too wish for new bloodlines in their stock.”

Why were these questions even directed at a sultan? They were simple answers. His people didn’t need to confirm whether they could go out and do something that would make the kingdom better.

Sighing, he gestured the man away and placed a hand to his forehead. A throbbing headache pounded beneath his skull. Every sound echoed in his head with an answering thump.

One of his advisors stood, and it took every bit of Nadir’s strength not to stiffen.

Abdul was a good man. Nadir still believed that, but his actions of late were certainly suspect. The older man liked to voice his opinion a little too loudly and in the company of those who were far too susceptible to his prejudices.

He wore his white hair pulled back in a leather thong. His beard was carefully trimmed into a point, and his clothing finely pressed. In theory, he carried himself like a man who knew what he was doing. But Nadir saw through the mirage. Abdul was, as always, a man clawing at the social ladder hoping for more and more power.

“That will be the last of them for today. The council would like to have a word with you in private, Sultan.”

“In case you didn’t notice, Abdul, it might be best if I retire for the afternoon,” Nadir replied dryly. He could hardly keep his eyes open or his head up. What did the other man expect from him?

“You’ll wake right up when you see what we have to say.” Abdul held out a hand for Nadir to take. “Come, Sultan. There’s much for us to talk about.”

So it seemed he wouldn’t be able to rest today. He nearly groaned as he stood. Sometimes, he wanted to go back to the way things were. When the advisors had taken care of all the difficult things he now was responsible for. When he’d been able to laze the day away and do next to nothing.

Nadir didn’t take Abdul’s hand, but stood on his own. Albeit slowly, but he didn’t need to lean on his advisor. He had to hide the tired groan that threatened to escape his mouth, however.

He followed the train of advisors to a more private meeting room. He’d always hated this room with its floor to ceiling gold. Every ornate piece was beautifully hand carved, the attention to detail more than impressive. But it felt less like a room in the palace, and more like a museum where he couldn’t touch a single thing without worrying he might break something. Pottery of the highest quality stood on stands in many of the corners. Tapestries hung from the walls. And stained glass windows cast colored shadows on the floor around them. A table sat in the center, precious mahogany wood underneath a thick slab of quartz.

The advisors gathered in a flock together at the end, each whispering among each other while Nadir situated himself on a seat at the head of the large table.

He took his time deliberately. They needed to remember they couldn’t summon him whenever they wished. He was a busy man now.

At the thought, his chest swelled with pride. Finally, he could say that he was truly busy. His brother would have been proud.

Abdul cleared his throat. “Sultan?”

“A moment.” Nadir ran his hand down his red silk tunic and billowing pants. He tucked the fabric more comfortably around him, a waste of time certainly, but a reminder to the others not to toy with his time. “Proceed.”

The frustrated huff of breath from his advisor was more than a little pleasing. “We, as a council, have been considering the integration of Beastkin into our society, as you have requested.”

“Ah, yes. I did request that you work with me on assisting in easing public discomfort in the presence of Beastkin.” Nadir nodded sagely, but narrowed his eyes on the advisor. “However, I did not ask your opinion in whether or not we should do it. We’re moving forward with the idea. I didn’t ask if you thought it wise.”

“Nevertheless, it is our job to consider the health of the kingdom—”

“That is not your role on this council any longer,” Nadir interrupted. “Your role is to advise me on your thoughts, nothing more, nothing less. I’ve heard enough about Beastkin from all of you. I know your thoughts. I have listened. Now, I am sultan of this kingdom, and I choose to move forward in reintegrating them to Bymere. Your job is to assist me in that. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

Abdul’s jaw fell open and for the first time in his life, Nadir had successfully shocked the man.

If the iron in his voice hadn’t convinced them he was serious, then he didn’t know what would. Nadir planned on moving forward regardless of their opinions. He was married to a Beastkin. What else did they want from him?