Khendal's Pov
It was the time for another selection, and I honestly just wanted to get it over with and get back to my kingdom. It was way better to immerse myself in work than come for a ceremony that wouldn't get me what I wanted. It wasn't the first time after all.
"Your Majesty, the high priestess has called for you." Kael, my high advisor and close confidante, informed me.
"What does she want from me?" I muttered, my eyes darkening. Each time I took a girl as a bride from them, there would be a talk where the priestess would tell me how to treat their women. They would even go further to warn me that if I mistreated their women, their goddess would bring calamity upon my household. What calamity? We all knew it was just to keep appearances. They didn't even care about the women anyway.
I found it annoying and intriguing that the Riverine Clan based their everything on a goddess who portrayed herself as good and divine when she was actually a scheming woman.
'Well, none of my business.'
"Your Majesty?" Kael called.
"Lead the way."
He led me through a relatively long hallway basked in glowing candlelight. I could see portraits of different people lining the hall, and the annoying scent of the moonflower haunted my nostrils. Damned Riverine people used the flower like it was air. Just because it was called a moonflower didn't mean it carried any essence of the moon. The scent of the moonflower churned the stomachs of dragons, the same way vampires were somehow affected by sunlight.
A tall door stood in the way, blocking my entrance to the high priestess.
Kael knocked gently on the door, and the doors were opened immediately.
I stepped in, feeling pressure instantly, but it wasn't anything enough to make me worried. It couldn't even make me blink.
I was a king. I had been a king for such a long time that I couldn't even remember exactly how long.
"These little children are having a staring contest with me." I muttered loud enough for Kael to hear me.
"Indeed, it seems that way."
I looked around, and like always, it was just women. The theocratic matriarchal system of the Riverine clan was something truly astounding.
A table was ahead of me, with priests already sitting down.
"It appears that they won't be standing to greet you, your majesty."
"Interesting."
I continued walking without paying attention to the sitting priests. Instead, my gaze was focused on the high priestess sitting at the head of the table. She held my gaze with fire in her eyes, not looking away for a second. To her left, the assistant high priest, not priestess, sat, folding his hands and placing them on in his laps. I was surprised to see a man there, not just as an ordinary priest but as the assistant high priest, he was basically second in command. He looked like a gentle man, so how did he even rise to that position in this clan where women held all the power.
"King Khendal." The priestess called, a type of greeting.
Strange.
"Priestess..?"
"Freidka. " A small smile settled on her lips. "This is the assistant high priest, Varena. "
They all still sat, their faces straight so I couldn't even tell what they were thinking. Kael pulled the chair on the right of the priestess so I could sit on it while he stood behind me.
"Why did you call me here?"
"We have something important to discuss. " She replied immediately.
"And what might that be, high priestess Freidka?"
"It will be concerning the bride you will be given."
"What about her?"
Pursing her lips, she raised her hands, and slowly, the other priests sitting in the room filed out until there were only four people left in the room, myself included.
"I raised all those girls as my children," she began, "so I have a close bond and connection with all twelve of them."
"And how does that concern me?"
"Your highness, it concerns you a lot."
She finally addressed me in the appropriate manner, but her voice was dark and had no tinge of respect in it.
"There have been rumours going around that the women taken over to the Draconu Kingdom are neglected till they die, of which most of them take their own lives. You restrict them from ever coming home, and yet, you still neglect them."
"What are you trying to say?" My eyes narrowed.
"I'm not trying to say anything, I am saying it. If any of those rumours circulate again, you will not get a bride from us ever again."
She was threatening me? The embers of the candles placed in jars flickered around the place, just like my mood.
"What are you implying, priestess? I can easily prevent the rumours circulating, can I not?"
I sank back into my seat, waiting for her to reply.
"You can, but I want you to give me your word that she will not be neglected. "
"So, mere words are enough to make you believe me?"
"They are not, which is why I'll be using another method."
She stood, walking, almost like she measured her steps till she came close to me.
Kael stepped in, but one wave of my hand was enouglh to order him.
"You will not be going home with a bride today." She whispered.
Turning to her, I noticed the subtle smirk on her face.
A vein popped in my head. "What do you mean, priestess? We both know that isn't possible. "
"Oh! Quite the opposite Your Highness. "
She walked away from my side as she spoke.
"Ever since I was little, I had watched the way the other priestess acted like utter fools, like they were being controlled. "
"Can't say I fault them, after all, your people base everything on your goddess, not bothering to think for yourselves."
The plan was to agitate her.
An earthy laughter tore through the room.
"My people, not me."
It didn't work.
"Surely you aware of the consequences of your words? Not giving the woman to me?"
"I am well aware of the gravity of my words, Your Highness, but I want your opinion as a fellow leader. Don't you think a measly eighteen years of enduring the goddess' curse and saving a life is worth it? A leader is meant to serve."
"To serve, not to die. " I corrected, standing up from my seat to leave. I wouldn't entertain whatever she wanted to do.
"I have no reason to listen to whatever you say, priestess. As a matter of fact, you have to listen to whatever I say. You don't set the rules, I do that."
She was silent, and I knew I was victorious. She watched me approach the door until..
"But, we both know you need the woman. Much more than the curse affects me."
She knew I would hear her words from that distance so she baited me and I fell for it.
"You need the woman for your condition, don't you? Well, though it can not be confirmed if she will actually be the one to help with your condition, you're not willing to take the risk. Not taking the risk could mean losing a lifetime opportunity. And you don't want that, Your Majesty? We both do not want that?"
This woman was bad news.