THE THIRD MAGE 37 King Andrew

Hiro walked behind them, and Denaire behind Hiro. She was whispering something on her necklace. Fear and resolve obvious on her face.

When they reached the King's audience chamber, they were ushered to form a single line behind their general.

They bowed to the King and the general spoke, "Greetings Your Majesty. We are here as an answer to your summons. The male you were looking for is now apprehended." He gestured towards Emong. The guards with him pushed him forward aggressively, resulting in him kneeling in front of the King's dais.

King Andrew stood up from his throne and slowly approached the shaking Emong with an evil grin on his face. He was planning beautiful ways to torture the filthy man but when he saw the woman who captivated Hiro's heart, he was delighted. A plan was forming on his mind.

He pulled Emong up by his hair. "How dare you lie to me!" he shouted.

"Your Majesty," Emong answered shakily. "I swear, I didn't lie to you. Maybe they have transferred to another location."

King Andrew pulled his hair harder. "Really? Then tell me where they are right now!"

"Your M-majesty, I don't know."

"You don't know?" King Andrew asked madly and licked his lips. "Hmmmm, you really don't know?" And he licked Emong's cheek.

Emong jerked back, but the King was holding him in place so tight, that when he pulled back, he felt his scalp separate from his head. He let the King lick his face in disgust, his tears threatening to fall – an unmanly sight.

The King, on the other hand had other focus in mind. While he was licking Emong's cheeks, he saw the woman flinch. She looked down and held Hiro's hand. Hngh, how dare she! He thought. He believed that Hiro was his and his alone. And so, he continued licking Emong while his eyes were on the woman.

When he was satisfied, he threw Emong to the floor. "Hiro, flog him until he could move no more. As for our intel, I have someone in mind."

Denaire froze. She might have a feeling of what the King was thinking. But Hiro, he approached the King and asked him, "And what might that be, Your Majesty?"

The King looked behind him and smiled menacingly at Denaire. "Your woman, Hiro. I want her."

Hiro couldn't move. His anger rose in unimaginable levels now, barely able to be leashed and yet there was Denaire, holding his hand.

"Your Majesty," Denaire said. "What do you want me to do?"

"Aaahh. Obedient are you? No wonder Hiro likes you very much. Tell me Hiro, is she so good?"

Hiro could not respond. His vision was turning red; he wanted to kill this King. The King, seeing Hiro's reaction laughed maniacally. Denaire held Hiro's hand tighter.

"Hiro," the King said. "Don't worry, I won't hurt her. I don't want to hurt your pets. I'll just use her pretty mind to guide me where her ex-people are." He then caressed Denaire's hair.

Hiro snapped out of his trance and shoved the King's hand away from Denaire. And the King's loyal guards raised their swords at him.

The King was momentarily shocked at Hiro's display, but just laughed it off after. "Guards, lower your swords. There's no harm done. Hiro here is a little possessive." And then he laughed some more.

"Your Majesty," Hiro said through clenched teeth, hiding his seething anger towards the monarch. "What do you plan to do to her?"

"Just a little mind-control my darling," the King replied. "And after that, she's all yours."

Hiro's hands were shaking, feeling for the first time how helpless and useless he is in this situation. "When will you do it Your Majesty?"

The King held his chin, appearing to be thinking. "Hmmmm, I think, now is a great time. Guards, take her away!"

"Your Majesty, I wish – "

"Ah ah ah!" the King said while shaking his pointer finger no. "I tasked you to do a job. You are not to see how we do it to her. Remember, you are only my subject. Now go, before I change my mind."

And with that, the King followed the guards who took Denaire, leaving him angry and helpless.

"General," his Captain said from the side. "We have to get out of here."

"But Denaire – "

"General, we have to trust madam in this. She'll be back. And if she doesn't, then by all means, use us to wreak havoc and save her."

The general was touched at his subordinate's words, ever more grateful that he has such loyal followers. And yes, he has to trust that Denaire could pull this through. I hope she will.

"Denaire, wait for me. Hold on, I will follow you."