Borrowed Magic by Shari Lambert

paused,
looking around the room at each of the kings. “I truly do
appreciate them. However, I’m not going to accept.”
    The room broke into chaos. Only this time,
Maren enjoyed watching it.
    “Who do you think you are?” Senred yelled
over the commotion. “We have offered you the best we have and you
refuse? Do you think you can brush us aside as if we’re
unimportant? You are young, Daric. Your father died before he could
teach you what you needed to know. We can forgive you your youth.
We can’t forgive stupidity.”
    Maren jumped to her feet. “How dare you? He
is as much a king as any of you are. Age is of no consequence here.
Leadership is. And what we went through, what he did, what we saw
and endured…” Her voice broke.
    “Well, I guess we know who advised him
against accepting our help,” Senred sneered. “Imagine, a king
taking counsel from a girl.”
    She straightened her shoulders. “It was a
decision already made, but when asked, yes I agreed, and yes, I
would have advised against it. And do you want to know why? Because
when we asked for help, it wasn’t given. When I personally came and
begged, yes begged, for your armies and your mages, you refused.
You left us vulnerable, alone, subject to Kern and his siege. You
were cowards. No, I don’t want your help. I know too well that you
wouldn’t offer it unless you hoped for something in return, and I’m
not willing to let you hold power over this kingdom or its king in
return for rocks and a few ears of corn.”
    Senred turned bright red and looked as if
he’d like to murder her. “Are you going to allow her to talk to me
like that?” he yelled at Daric. “I’m a king!”
    Daric drew her hand through his arm. “She
didn’t say anything I don’t believe. And given her previous
experience with you personally, yes, I think she has a right to
talk to you however she wants.”
    “If you treat your allies with such
disrespect, you won’t have any left,” King Albert offered, voice
laced with anger. “Not a position you’re strong enough to be in
right now, Daric.”
    “I don’t want to lose any allies, or disrupt
the peace,” Daric answered. “I just want to be left alone to
rebuild Tredare how I see fit.”
    “And if we don’t see it that way?” Senred
asked.
    Daric didn’t flinch. “Then know that I have
the strongest army ever assembled currently under my control. They
are seasoned, dedicated, and loyal. They have fought and died to
protect this kingdom.” He nodded to Philip. “And they have a leader
they would follow anywhere. Not to mention they are brave, brave
enough to fight against Kern.” Daric’s eyes traveled the room,
meeting each king’s directly. “And win.”
    An uncomfortable silence moved through the
room until Edwin stood. “I think we’re done here.” He actually
walked forward and shook Daric’s hand. “Thank you for your
hospitality. I’ll be taking my leave. You have a lot of work to do
and don’t need me or my people getting in your way. But in all
sincerity, my offer still stands if you ever need it.”
    “Thank you,” Daric said. “I’ll remember
that.”
    After that the meeting was effectively over.
Daric’s military threat was significant. And at least for now, none
of them dared oppose it.
    Senred was the last to leave. He shook hands
with Philip and offered a few polite words. Then he turned to her.
“Lady Maren, it’s always a pleasure.”
    His words were belied by the coldness in his
eyes and the unpleasant tilt to his mouth.
    “May I inquire about your health?”
    She gave him her most polite smile. “It’s
fine, thank you.”
    He grabbed her left arm before she could
react and applied just the smallest amount of pressure.
    Pain shot through her shoulder and caused
her eyes to water.
    “Really?” he sneered.
    And then Daric and Philip were in front of
her. “If you touch Lady Maren again, you’ll have me to deal with
personally,” Philip said.
    “You’ll have to get