King of Me (The King Trilogy #3)(38)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

“He didn’t hurt him, did he?” I guessed it wasn’t unusual for people to beat their kids in these times. Hell, people still beat their kids. A-holes.

“He did not need to. One look from my father’s stern face, and you’d feel the trickle of warm piss down your leg. Then, he’d say, ‘Leave the compassion for the gods. We are here to rule.’ To him that meant keeping the peace, ensuring there was a well-prepared army, and food for the masses.”

“Doesn’t sound like he had a fun childhood.”

“Well, he got to have his own army, had first pick of all the horses, and owned about twenty islands.” He smiled. “But yes, I had all the fun. I think Draco hated me for it, but as we grew older, I became his only true friend. Probably because I understood him best—what my father and mother were like, the pressures of the council, the constant endeavor to please the gods. He always looked to me for advice, especially when the issue at hand pertained to things more sensitive in nature.”

That was sweet, really.

“Then,” Callias said, “when my father died, I had to go to my brother’s side to assist him. Of course, now I regret not trying harder. I did as little as possible.”

“And Hagne? How did you meet her?”

“Her family serves ours and has for generations. I’ve known her since I can remember.”

“Did you love her?” I asked.

“No,” he spat. “I spend most of my time on the other side of the island, overseeing trade with visitors. I had not laid eyes on her for years.”

“What visitors?”

He pointed beyond the horizon. “Everyone from the mainland. Of course, most are barbarians. We’re lucky to be here, sheltered and isolated from them, with the exception of trade merchants who come for our olives, wine, and metal.”

“Too bad you couldn’t have traded Hagne away.”

“I understand she tried to kill you.”

“Yes,” I replied. “She claimed to be in love with you, but hated your brother. I offered to take Draco off her hands.” He was mine, anyway.

“In love with me?” He scratched his rough jaw, and it almost cracked me. It was exactly the way King did it. “The woman was mad. We’ve spoken barely a handful of words since we were children.”

Knowing that Callias had not had eyes for Hagne gave me a bit of peace. Perhaps, in the first version of events, Hagne had used her “gifts” to make Callias think he loved her and wanted the throne. Because this Callias didn’t seem to care about either. One thing was for certain, though, he did seem like the sort of man to be easily led astray. There was a definite boyish innocence to him.

“I am glad she’s dead,” he added. “Better world without her.”

“Unfortunately, her death’s put us all in this position.” I paused, thinking for a moment. “So why not hop on a boat and leave?”

“I am many things, but a coward I am not. This is my home. I want to die here.”

I shook my head. “But there’s a big world out there. You might find another home.”

Sure, I had zero clue of what the rest of the world looked like—Egyptians, I knew they were well established, and I knew that Europe wasn’t Europe yet. More like a collection of barbaric tribes. Then there were the Mayans and…

Hell. Again, I found myself wishing I’d paid closer attention to world history, specifically the Bronze Age. Which, clearly, we were in, given the men toted bronze swords. Not a lick of steel or silver to be found.

“I will not leave my brother,” Callias said. “I am certain he awaits me on the other side.” Callias had stopped walking and decided to sit on a large washed-up log.

I sat beside him, thinking about the two brothers running amuck in this “other side,” whatever that was.

“Well,” I said, “if you find him, can you tell him I miss him? And I need to see him again, to break his curse.”

“You truly believe you can bring him back?”

I shook my head. “I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“Such is life.” Several long, silent moments passed. “I need a drink. Might you join me?”

I gazed into those big blue eyes and imagined for a moment they were King’s. I knew they weren’t, but they gave me comfort nonetheless.

“Wouldn’t you rather go find some women with your friends and live it up?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No. I prefer to watch the sun set over my favorite ocean while drinking my favorite wine.”

I nodded. “Just please don’t give me any of that watered-down stuff. It’s disgusting.”

He laughed. “Do not tell me that you drink your wine full strength. What would my brother say?”

“What’s wrong with that?” I laughed, too.

“Only barbarians drink such potent spirits.”

“Potent?” I chuckled. “From where I come, full-strength wine is considered a frou-frou drink.”

“What is the meaning of ‘frou-frou’?”

“You mean Hagne’s tattoo couldn’t translate that?”

He shook his head no.

“It means it’s not very manly,” I said just to mess with him.

His mouth fell open. “Are you saying I am not manly because I drink my wine with water?”

I burst out laughing.

“What?” He puffed out his chest.

“You are manly. A big dopy dude, just like your brother.”

“You dare insult me? I may not be the king, but I am still deadly—very good with a sword and my fists, I might add.”

It was strange, but in that moment, he really reminded me of someone. “Mack!”

Callias seemed to want to roll his eyes. “Another one of your insults, I presume?”

“No, no. Mack is…” How could I explain this? “Mack is your brother’s most loyal and trusted friend. He’s like a brother. You remind me of him, that’s all.” And now it made sense why King had him around; Mack must’ve reminded him of Callias.

“I was afraid to ask, but now I must,” Callias said.

“Yes?” I said.

“Is it true that you come from another time, a time far into the future?”

“So he told you.”

“Yes,” he replied. “I thought him mad at first, but I saw in his eyes that he spoke the truth—or believed he spoke the truth.”