Chapter 36: Ace Of Wands

 "What makes you think I'm the King of anything?" Harald asked. Bless all those years of keeping a straight face in Council.

"The stick you're carrying," Rodrigo said, "is covered with runes of power only a king's ransom could pay for. Nobody leaves things holding them lying around. Either you're the King, or the one bound to the King."

"What is it to you who I am?" He poked at the fire. Sarandia slept under his cloak.  He remembered the first time he'd seen her, coming into the grand ball room on her father's arm the day of their betrothal. A slip of a girl then, but she looked him in the eye and smiled. He fell in love and dreamed of her every night until they were married three years later. That was the second time he saw her. Harald's lips curved up at the memory. Sarandia looked dark and exotic next to his boring blond and fair skin.