Calliope [Book 2]

Mido trotted down the stone staircase and rounded the corner into the throne room. Jon stood alone, admiring the banners that hung down its walls.

“You’re here,” Mido stated.

Jon turned to him and smiled. “Should I not be?”

“I thought you were going back to Librona with King Sloan.”

“Oh.” He averted his gaze and looked on the banners once more. When Mido said nothing, he shrugged. “I didn’t want to.”

Mido’s footsteps echoed off the walls as he made his way across the room, stopping beside Jon.

“You should go home.”

“There’s nothing for me there.”

“I’m sure your family would appreciate it, seeing you alive and well.”

“They will know.”

“What do you want, Jon?”

Jon met Mido’s hard gaze. “What do I want?”

“What do you want to do with your life? You don’t have to stay here. You don’t have to be a soldier. I will do whatever I have to do. No questions asked. No consequences.”

Jon considered this for a moment, staring at his feet.

When he said nothing, Mido continued. “Go home. Start over. Live your life the way it should be lived. No war. No fighting. Meet a pretty girl. Preferably a human girl. Do it right.”

“I don’t know,” Jon said, hesitant. “I don’t think the war is really over just yet.”

“Even more reason to leave.”

Jon shook his head. “That’s cowardly.”

“Don’t let that sway your decision.”

“I want to stay here.”

“Are you sure?”

Jon hesitated. “Yes. But I don’t want to fight anymore.”

“What if I get stuck in the midst of another undead army?”

Jon shrugged. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Mido smiled. “I never got to thank you for that.”

“You still haven’t.”

Mido held out his hand. “Thanks for saving my ass.”

Jon eyed his hand and shrugged, pushing it away. “It was a one time thing. Probably wouldn’t have bothered if you weren’t a king.”

Mido laughed. “I don’t blame you.”

They turned their gazes to the banners once more.

“What will you do here, then?”

“Thought I could just hang around. Keep an eye on you. Make sure you don’t do something stupid. Ian can’t do that as a knight, yanno.”

Mido nodded. “I guess I could use someone like that.”

“As long as there’s good castle food involved.”

“Always.”

“Cool.”

“So, is it okay if I check on my kingdom? Do you trust me to do that? That’s your job now, after all.”

“Do what you want,” Jon said. “I’m off duty today. Gonna check out the Asmarian girls.”

#

Mido stood outside of the castle, overlooking his kingdom as his people went about their lives, safe once more under the protection of a ruler. Ian joined his side as the sea breeze cooled their faces from the warm sun.

“I heard that King Sloan and Prince Lucas made it back safely,” Ian said as he followed Mido’s gaze.

Mido nodded. “Good.”

“Did you and Daddy Sloan make amends?”

Mido narrowed his eyes at his friend. “Yes,” he hissed.

Ian smiled. “That’s good to hear.”

“I still don’t believe it, though,” Mido said. “Queen Ryenna could be lying about that, too, just as she lied about me being Asmar’s heir.”

“She would have said so.”

Mido shook his head. “I don’t think so. I don’t think she’s finished using us in her game.”

“What do you mean?”

Mido hesitated. “I don’t know. I just don’t think this is the end just yet.”

“What more could possibly go wrong?” Ian said with a slight groan.

“The people of Asmar have a long, terrible history with witches. They may have taken to me, as long as they continue to believe I am their heir, but I don’t think they will take as kindly to Calliope, and I cannot hide her in the castle forever.”

Ian was quiet as he looked out to the distant sea. “Queen Ryenna will ensure Calliope’s safety,” Ian reminded him. “They trust her.”

“I hope so,” Mido said half-heartedly. He knew he would need to discuss their situation further with the witch queen, but for now, he wanted a few war-free days to himself.

Mido turned and made his way back inside the castle, standing once more in the throne room. Ian followed his friend inside. Mido made his way to the empty throne, his gaze falling upon it once more. He no longer felt tortured by it’s unfortunate demise. Mido sighed as he approached the chair and sat in it’s velvety embrace.

“Do I look like an appropriate king, now?” Mido asked.

Ian smiled and bowed. “An appropriate king for Asmar."