There were upwards of three hundred sorceresses in town now. The original thirty I’d freed had spread the word as requested.

  There were ninety-eight people who showed up to swear fealty, sixteen of those had been sorcerers. It was a good number, but less than I’d hoped. I’d thought most of the women would want revenge, but what the hell did I know? Obviously not how a woman’s mind worked. Apparently most of them just wanted to get on with their lives.

  Thirty-one of them wanted to join fleet, three of them were full of shit, and had ulterior motives. Their magic had been discordant. I showed the latter group to the door without an explanation, and kicked them out. The former got sent to pirate school so to speak. They’d be learning about fighting with magic, and how to sail a ship.

  The remainder became the pool for guards or council. That made sixty-four interviews I had to sit through as I watched out for Daphne. It was a long process, and was taking days. I didn’t envy her duty in picking out the best three out of all of them. Sharon, Lia, and all the others were around as well, but we couldn’t really chat while that was going on.

  Sharon, Lia, and I did make time to be together at least once a day, sometimes as a group, sometimes separately.

  It was an adjustment, but I also got an idea of what life would be like as Daphne’s advisor. This part, building the new government, was all her. After taking out the governor, guards, setting up the wards, and freeing the magic of the sorceresses, my only job seemed to be keeping an eye on her, being an ear, and dispensing my opinion when she asked for it.

  Happily, I found out I didn’t mind it all that much, not being in charge I mean. I was also quite used to being a guard with my donation of time to the women’s shelter. Granted, watching over royalty was a bit different. Of course, I was still a complete and total bully about the princess leaving the safety of her guards, which was kind of fun too. I kind of got the impression that half the time she argued because she enjoyed it too.

  I’d also heard the people had already picked their two councilors, apparently by general proclamation. It seems that the two men, Robert and William ran an inn and general store respectively. They were known to give shelter for those in trouble with the guards, and had stuck their necks out on more than one occasion for their neighbors. It seems the people were more than happy with the two men continuing to watch out for them in a more official capacity. Neither of them had magic…

  It was our fourth night on the island. I’d guess that Daphne would be done with the interviews tomorrow, and ready to announce her three appointees to the council. There were only a handful left to get done.

  We were all gathered around the dinner table. Myself, Daphne, Sharon, Lia, Marie, and Jenna. Dina had cooked for us, and served. I noticed that her, along with Melanie and Cindy had gotten more comfortable with us over the last few days.

  It probably helped that most of us were women, and that I was clearly under the thrall of two of them. I can’t even imagine what that ass wipe put them through, I was glad the judgments would be starting soon. There were a lot as well, almost a hundred between the guards and the other men that had been arrested for rape. Of course, after the council was picked they’d need a little education. Daphne would want to make sure they gave out appropriate punishments.

  We dug in, and it wasn’t long before Daphne started a conversation.

  “Does anyone know how the people are taking to the changes?”

  Surprising all of us, the answer came from Dina.

  “Mostly good your majesty. The atmosphere of the community is a lot lighter with all of the bad men in jail. They worry though, that the king will come back. Some think we’ll be punished, or worry that this new kingdom won’t be any different.”

  Dina snorted after she said that, “Sorry, but some people are stupid.”

  Daphne asked, “How do you know all that?”

  Dina replied, “Melanie’s brother Chad delivers the food here, and he works for Robert at the general store and hears what Robert knows. Plus, his wife, Chad’s wife I mean, Mary. Mary works at the inn, who hears a lot said when people talk to William, and they always compare notes.”

  I thought I followed all that, and asked, “So Melanie told you?”

  Dina nodded, and blushed.

  All the other ladies glared at me, apparently I wasn’t allowed to recap her long winded explanation with four words. Cowed, I went back to my meal.

  Daphne smiled gently, “Would you mind keeping me informed on what you hear? It will be good to know if there’s any misconceptions we can fix just by communicating better. As for the king retaking this island, it’s very doubtful. Tony put very powerful wards around the whole island.”

  Dina smiled shyly and nodded.

  The door opened and we all turned our heads. It was Amara, and I didn’t see the other two elves with her for the first time since I ran into her alone on ship. They were always together, and they never joined us for dinner. So it was odd.

  Amara looked… as nervous as a kitten. She also looked painfully beautiful. Painful for me I mean, it stirred longings in me impossible to fully explain. I tried not to dwell, or even discuss it much, but it was always there.

  Except maybe when Sharon and Lia were being very distracting I mean.

  Her voice was soft and uncertain when she spoke, “Can I speak to you?”

  She wasn’t looking at me though, she was looking back and forth between Sharon and Lia.

  Those two exchanged glances, and then got up, and followed my wayward elf out of the kitchen.

  I wished I could be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

  Dina asked, “Are you alright sir?”

  She was looking right at me, and I realized I’d been in another world.

  I straightened my face, and wondered just how much of what I’d felt had shown, and winced at the thought.

  “I’ll be fine, thanks Dina.”

  There was an awkward silence, and then Daphne asked, “Anyone else hear anything?”

  Jenna shrugged, “Not about the people in the city. I know the training is going well for the ones that volunteered for the fleet.”

  Marie cleared her throat, “Three more guards were arrested this afternoon. A few of the people felt confident enough in us to turn them in. I’m not positive, but I think we’ve got them all now.”

  I nodded slowly, but I wasn’t convinced. Outside of a little disbelief, and those three instances of murderous revenge, it had been fairly quiet since we took control. It seemed a little too easy. Okay, easy was the wrong word, we’d been working our asses off. I’ll say not dangerous enough instead. Maybe I was paranoid, but I had a feeling Murphy was saving up a load of shit for us. Of course, I always felt that way.

  Then again, based on the last four months I was due some good luck for once.

  After dinner, Jenna and Marie left for their rooms, and I walked Daphne up to hers. It was right across from the one I shared with my mates. When she moved into hers, I turned, and looked at the door down the hallway. After a moment, Daphne’s voice startled me.

  “Are you going to stare at it all night?”

  I shook my head, “Amara is still in there, they’re sitting around the table. I don’t think I should go in there right now.”

  She tilted her head, “How can you know that?”

  “I can feel their magic, and based on the distances and my knowledge of the layout of my suite of rooms, I just know.”

  She frowned, “Well you can’t stand out there all night, come keep me company until you feel Amara leave.”

  I nodded absently and ignored her tone of disapproval when she spoke Amara’s name.

  Daphne was rather protective of me when it came to Amara. Sometimes I thought even more than Sharon and Lia were. But those two weren’t enamored of Amara right now either, and it was killing me not to know what they were talking about, or why it was taking so damned long.

  I turned around, and walked into her quarters. Really, it was a full suite of rooms, and took up a goodly amount of the top floor of the keep. I thought it should feel a bit more awkward as I sat down on the couch with her. Really, a twenty-four-year-old man alone with sixteen-year-old royalty? Still, she’d turned into such a good and close friend that it just felt natural. Comfortable even, which perversely felt wrong.

  She was even rather attractive, though I was sure it helped I didn’t feel any urges in that direction at all. If I had, it would have definitely been awkward.

  “So how are things going to work once you’re on the throne at Pheles, I mean, how do replacement councilors get chosen without you around to have them swear oaths to you and all that.”

  She snorted and gave me a look, like she was asking if that’s really what I wanted to talk about.

  She shook her head but humored me, “It could be a long process. In essence the council will appoint people for the vacant position, then they send them to me. I’ll interview them at that point, and if one or more passes muster, I’ll accept their oath and send them back. I think it’s really important to know them all personally. I also want them to all think of me as accessible to them while they serve, and an initial interview will help to establish that precedent.”

  She sighed, and leaned back in the couch.

  “She loves you. I see her watching you all the time when you aren’t paying attention. Sometimes I want to smack her.”

  I snickered, “I know how she feels, I feel the same way. Hurts to be near, and it pains to be apart. I…”

  I… really must be comfortable with Daphne, if I was spilling my guts like that. I’d opened up to Sharon and Lia and used the excuse that they were my mates, but acting like a whiny bitch man in front of a sixteen-year-old? No matter how wise or smart she was, that wasn’t me. Except, it apparently was, Amara was really fucking my mind up.

  I blamed it on spending the last four months with just women. All the estrogen in the air had obviously brain damaged me. Gorwin doesn’t count, since he treats me like furniture.

  “You what,” the both incredibly young and wise queen asked.

  Need a drink? I shuddered at that thought, I wasn’t my father, and I never would be.

  “I honestly don’t know Daphne. How are you holding up, now that we’ve gotten started, any second thoughts about running a kingdom?”

  She smiled, “It helps to have you and the others around. Honestly?”

  When I nodded she continued, “Overwhelmed. It’s a lot of responsibility. But… if I don’t do it who will? I also feel responsible in a way, it’s my family’s legacy, it’s up to me to fix it. It really does help though to have everyone’s support. And don’t think I don’t know what you did, changing the subject like that.”

  I asked disingenuously, “I’m afraid I don’t understand your majesty, did I do something?”

  She snickered, “Please don’t ever call me that again, not when we’re in private I mean. Not even in jest.”

  “Okay Daphne, I think I can make that promise.”

  She studied me for a moment, maybe to reassure herself I was serious, and then she nodded. It seemed important to her, so I wasn’t going to object. There was fun teasing between friends, and then there was being a dick. If it meant that much to her, of course I’d been serious.

  We talked for a while longer about random things. Sometimes serious politics, sometimes just joking and teasing. It was almost an hour later that I felt Amara leave, and I said goodnight to the princess. I suppose queen now, her kingdom was only one Island so far, but it would grow.

  I went out and joined Sharon and Lia in our rooms…

  Chapter Eleven

  They’d talked for an hour and a half, yet all Sharon and Lia were willing to tell me, was that outside of her being an idiot, they approved of Amara. They also informed me that Amara was bound to cave soon, and repeated what Daphne had told me. Amara loved me with a deep intensity, she was just scared of the future, and would eventually come to terms with it.

  How does it take ninety minutes to say that?

  I tried to get more out of them, but of course they cheated. They flirted, acted sexy, and so damned alluring that I was helpless against it. Just one would have been enough, but I was outflanked with both of them there. Then they took me to our bedroom, and fucked my brains out until I passed out in a dazed and sated stupor, while they snuggled into my side equally sated, and very happy.

  How’s a guy supposed to fight that?

  Sure, I could have argued, but really, is any man that stupid?

  Needless to say, I didn’t learn any further information on said meeting. Finally, I just chalked up the long timeframe to girl talk, and moved on. It wasn’t like I really had a choice to do otherwise.

  Daphne was questioning her third sorceress of the morning. That’s all that was left really, sorceresses. So I was pretty sure she already knew what sorcerer and healer she’d put on the council, though she hadn’t said anything about it.

  I felt, or heard, a sour roiling magic enter the room, and looked around, suddenly alert. At first, I couldn’t narrow down who it was, there were a lot of people in the room. Then I found her. Melanie was walking toward Daphne with a drink tray. She looked a little tense, and her eyes were down on the ground.

  I put it together, as she offered the cup to Daphne, who immediately reached out for it. I was about to yank it away with magic, when Amara made that unnecessary.

  She darted in and grabbed the goblet at a blinding speed I’d never seen her use before, and then her voice was forbidding and icy.

  “Melanie, why don’t you drink this one?” she asked, as she held the goblet back to the girl.

  I wondered how Amara could have known, maybe her nature magic allowed her to detect the poison? I’d been wondering what they did with their magic all the time, but had never asked.

  I was also shocked, Melanie had been a perpetual rape victim of the evil bastard mayor. She’d never tried to poison him. Why now? I suspected she was being coerced into it, her brother might be in danger? I didn’t really know her well enough to make any other guesses.

  That was sad, but she should have come to us. Coerced or not, attempted regicide was treason. She was the walking dead now, which made me sad. Why the fuck didn’t she just tell us? We’d have probably ripped the island apart to find her brother.

  All eyes in the room were on her now, but mine had moved to Daphne. She was as white as a sheet. Fucking Murphy, one day I was going to kick his ass, somehow. Maybe the goddess would help, or maybe I really was fucking losing it.

  I walked over swiftly and stood close to her. I wanted to bundle her up, and take her out of there, but she wouldn’t thank me for that, it would make her look weak. I hoped just standing close to her would help her… somehow.

  “Melanie, tell me the truth, now. As soon as they find out you were caught, your brother is dead. It’s his only chance.”

  Yup, asshole cop at your service, talk about leaning on a suspect, but I wanted the bastards behind this.

  Melanie’s eyes widened with alarm when my words finally registered in her mind. Well, it had really been a guess, based on the little bit I knew. Apparently I’d hit the target head on.

  Melanie shook her head helplessly, and there were tears in her eyes.

  She said hesitantly, “There’s six of the old guards in the woods to the east. They have my brother, and they said they’d kill him if I didn’t give you and the queen a poisoned drink.”

  I frowned, the second cup she had was for me?

  “Where in the woods?”

  “About four miles in, there’s a hunting cabin by the river. They’ve warded it.”

  I frowned. The cop in me wanted to run the fuckers down, and exercise a little excessive force during the take down, but my place was here with Daphne as her advisor, and unofficially to watch her back. We had ground forces and volunteer guards for that. Still, it felt wrong not to go.

  Amara of all people seemed to understand my difficulty, and took action.

  “I’ll go. It’s the best chance her brother has, the trees though young will lead me right to them, and their wards won’t mean a thing against me.”

  I nodded, “Bring at least ten guards with you though.”

  She looked ready to argue, and then looked into my eyes. Whatever she saw there, made her change her mind. She just nodded, and ran out.

  I shook my head in disgust, as two of the guards in the room grabbed Melanie, put on the bracelet cuffs, and took her away. Another took the poisoned cups away for disposal.

  What a fucking waste. She’d lived through hell only to be freed, and then threw the rest of her life away. I did feel sorry for her, truly I did, but not sorry enough, she had after all, just tried to murder Daphne.

  Daphne seemed to get a hold of herself, and after a moment continued the interview.

  I wasn’t sure if it helped or not, but I didn’t move away from her side. If the look on Sharon’s and Lia’s face was any indication, they approved…

  It was about two hours later when the full council was announced. Sierra, Jerry, Ciara, Robert, and William.

  As I’d already indicated, Robert and William were the choices of the people. Sierra was a middle aged woman who nonetheless was still very striking. She had a confidence about her, and an almost girlish excitement. She was the sorceress choice and my own magic told me she was an air wielder of medium power.

  The sorcerer on the council was Jerry, a fire wielder. He was a bit younger, not even thirty yet, but he had a gravity to him, and I got good vibes from him like he was trustworthy. Daphne was a good judge of character, very good, so I didn’t question my own first impression at all.

  Ciara was in her late thirties, and a healer. She had gray eyes, and dirty blonde hair that was just long enough to tickle her shoulders.

  I knew the judgements would come soon, but after they all swore an oath to serve both the queen and Aramore, Daphne immediately launched into the more common crimes and what kind of sentences they would draw, as well as what could be considered mitigating circumstances, and what couldn’t.