Keepers of the Moon

Chapter 5. The broken King (3)

This resulted in a twisted look, he didn’t believe it. Of course he didn’t.

‘Can you prove this? Other than some vague 50 year old photos?’

‘You have nothing but my word and the confirmation that I am barely just a human.’ I turned around my cup of coffee and a block of black ice bounced on the table. King Domhnall staggered backwards his eyes wide in fear and confusion.

‘I don’t understand…’

‘Neither did I, for a long time. I was a product of peace, two people united. I was chosen to maintain that peace until I would be out of time. So that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 800 years. Sometimes I can avert a war, but sometimes too much has happened and war ensues.’

Domhnall sat down, his hands were shaking. He still didn’t truly believe me, but he couldn’t longer deny that there was some truth in my words.

‘And you choose to tell me this now because…?’

‘I truly believe that you’ll need all the help you can get to prevent a war with Nordlys. Einar is out for blood and he won’t rest until he gets it. I promise you that I have no desire to sit on your throne. A change in power, especially toward me, someone unbeknown to the people, would lead to destabilisation. This would be the last thing we needed right now.’

‘How would you be able to help, freeze Einar?’ Most of the tension in his shoulders seemed to disappear, he was still confused and full of questions, but the notion that he would not lose the throne was something that eased him. Not because he wanted to stay in power, but because he knew what I knew. It wouldn’t solve anything.

‘I can read people, feel what their intentions are. I am not easily manipulated, this means that I am a valuable asset to your team. I’ve been in wars for far too many times, I can predict what might happen and maybe be able to prevent it. I am not all powerful, sometimes war is the only thing that can happen, but I believe we are not at this point just yet.’

‘You truly think that this war can be averted?’

I looked down, towards my pale hands. Mulled over his question, I wasn’t sure what to answer, because I didn’t know the answer.

‘Yes I do.’ Only Sean noticed the lie, he never moved or looked at me. I could just feel it. My eyes were now finding Domhnall’s for the first time he looked at me with genuine interest. He still didn’t believe me, about who I was, but he also loved his country and did believe that I loved it too. That was really all I could ask for, for him to trust me to help him.

‘It will be hard, my King. And the chances of peace are very slim, we have to acknowledge this.’ Lady McCulloch also had let some of the tension go but her face was still distorted into a grimace. She didn’t seem to believe my lie either.

Domhnall just nodded.

‘So what is the plan?’

Sir Macintosh stood up and walked toward the closet which contained a briefing from all the guests that would attend the royal gala. He handed a folder to each of us. Domhnall started browsing through the papers, just as both ladies. Sean shared a concerned look with me. His concern was for me though and had nothing to do with the war. I gave an encouraging nod to convince him I was fine, but he didn’t buy it. I knew this would lead to a difficult conversation later this day and I wasn’t looking forward to it. There were some things I’d rather left unspoken. Including the loss of my husband.

‘So I will be shadowed for the entirety of the party? While Mo Bhean keeps an eye out for danger and intrudes into people’s private thoughts.’ Sean bit his lip in frustration, I snickered.

‘I can’t read minds, your majesty. I can read feelings and intentions, there’s a difference.’

Domhnall pulled up his nose and buried himself again in the folder. Now the initial shock was over some of his old traits came floating to the top. He was now again the King who could throw a tantrum when he felt like it, though my show of power was enough to keep him at bay.

‘And how would this help us? What if you misread something? Wouldn’t it be much easier to assassinate King Einar when he gets here? It would need to look like an accident of course.’

The room went quiet, hearts were beating fast, nervous glances were exchanged. Sean could barely contain his anger, Lady Macintosh let out a tired sigh. They had this conversation so many times before. King Domhnall knew that this wasn’t a real option, yet he somehow had convinced himself that Einar was the only true enemy. His erratic behaviour at times also made him a loose cannon on a party, hence the reason why he needed to be shadowed. I knew I needed to make a point.

I stood up, slowly. The temperature dropped, coffee’s stopped steaming. Sean looked at me and I gave him a very curt nod. A warning. With a sigh I filled the room with my anger, resentment and disappointment. Lady Macintosh and Lady McCulloch both bounced from the table and pushed themselves against the wall. Domhnall stood up, about to throw a tantrum and then flinched. I decided to hold nothing back and now three people were cowering away from me towards the corners of the room. Only Sean was still standing near the table, sweat running from his face and his mouth reduced to a thin white line. He could barely hold on even though he knew my anger wasn’t directed at him, nor lady Macintosh and lady McCulloch for that matter.

‘I will have no violence on this gala which is supposed to signify a moment of peace in our existence. If you wish to proceed with this ridiculous idea I will drag you from the throne in front of Einar. I won’t care whether it would damage our position or not, I won’t tolerate it. Don’t test me, I am true to my word. I will take the throne, if I see that the path you are choosing will put my country into harm’s way. Am I clear?’

Domhnall whimpered and tried to make himself as small as possible. Now he did believe me.

‘Am I clear?’ There was more force in my words this time and it felt like I was scolding a child.

‘Y-yes.’ With those words Domhnall ran out of the room and both ladies followed him out, though not without sending a shaky nod toward me. The fear in their faces crushed my insides and I hated every second of it.

Once only Sean and I were left I let go of my power, Sean let out a shaky sigh. Relieved to be able to breathe again. He put a reluctant arm around me and I could feel his heart racing in his chest.

‘Sorry about that, he needed to know…’

‘I agree. Did we do the right thing?’ I swallowed hard, the release of my power took its toll on my already hard to control emotions.

‘I don’t know.’