Page 25 of Clash of Kingdoms
“You’re just going to kill me anyway?—”
“Then give me a reason not to, Rancor. Save my people—and walk away with your life.”
He shook his head. “I know how this ends. I took your daughter, so you’ll kill me no matter what I offer you.”
“I understand why that’s hard for you to believe because I’m a man of my word and you aren’t. Tell me everything about these demons, how we can defeat them, and I’ll let you live.”
Rancor remained quiet.
“Or.” He grabbed the dagger and pried it out of the wood. “I torture you until I get what I want—and then I’ll kill you.” He stabbed the dagger into the wood again, this time close to Rancor, an invitation to take the dagger and see what would happen.
Rancor must have realized there was no way out of this. He could scream, but then his throat would be slit, and being dead would get him nowhere. “I’ll make a deal with you?—”
Huntley chuckled. “That’s cute, trying to cut a deal with the man whose daughter you kidnapped.”
Rancor took a moment before he continued. “I’ll tell you everything. But once this is over, you give us a fleet of ships to leave your lands and never return.”
“That’s quite the ask.”
“We’re both kings. Just as you strive to protect and provide for your people, I do the same. We can’t live in these lands any longer, not without real sustenance. The existence is so unbearable that many of my people have taken their own lives.”
“Oh, how sad…” Huntley sank back into the chair. “You need to offer more if you want me to accept that.”
“I don’t have anything else?—”
“You fight for us. Not them.”
Rancor released a heavy sigh.
“Tell me what you know, fight for us, and I’ll give your people a ship to leave these shores. But I have one more addition.”
Rancor stared.
“You call yourself a king and compare your stature to mine—so prove it. I will grant your people safe passage from my lands once the war is over, but you won’t join them. You’ll pay for your betrayal with blood. I will execute you once your people are gone, the last Teeth that will ever stand on my lands. That’s my price.”
I was acquainted with Huntley through his emotions. Knew the purity in his heart and the integrity in his veins. But now, I saw him in a whole new light, witnessed his strategy, witnessed his ferocity. He was a just king, but he was also formidable…and a bit terrifying.
“You said you would spare my life if I told you everything?—”
“That was before you insulted my character by comparing it to yours.”
A surge of anger moved through Rancor. “I’m sorry?—”
“You’re sorry?” Huntley asked blankly. “Is that supposed to mean something to me?”
“I’m sorry I took your daughter.”
“I don’t want your apology, Rancor. I want your blood. If you’re such a servant to your people, then prove it. Make the ultimate sacrifice the way I would for mine—and then you can compare us.”
“We didn’t hurt Harlow?—”
“I never want to hear my daughter’s name come out of your mouth again,” he snapped. “And she was only unharmed because Aurelias decided to return her home instead of letting her be a feast.” Pain throbbed inside his chest when he said those things, but he gave no hint of weakness as he spoke.
“If I refuse to cooperate, the demons will defeat you. If I’m going to die either way, then I’d rather you die too.”
“Then I guess you aren’t sorry,” Huntley said. “Because your remorse would drive you to a different decision. I granted you asylum, and you stabbed me in the back—but you feel nothing. I’ll just kill you and extend the offer to your people instead. Perhaps they’ll be smart and take it.”
Rancor gave another sigh before he rubbed the back of his neck. “You don’t kill me…but you can exact your revenge in whatever way you choose.”