“Kai,” his father tried again, but Zakkai was already moving around the table.
“Did you have trouble sleeping, Aflora?” he asked as he sauntered toward me. “Is that the cause of your current mood?”
“Trouble sleeping?” I scoffed at the notion. “Is that what you call it?”
He smirked and stopped in front of me to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
Sweet star, you’ve insulted me by charging in here while wearing clothes that represent all your mates except me. He cupped my cheek. If you kneel for me, I’ll forgive you. The words were softly spoken into my mind, a promise underlined in intent.
This was his territory, not mine.
It would be wise to show a little respect.
The problem was, I had no respect left in me to give.
“I’ll never kneel for you.” I enunciated the words clearly for everyone to hear. Maybe I should have replied mentally, but I had nothing to hide. And I meant what I said. “I bow to no one.”
Gasps met my bold statement.
But a glimmer of amusement shone in Zakkai’s gaze. “I can make you kneel.”
“You can try,” I countered.
The crowd broke out in louder whispers, and Laki heaved an audible sigh from the front of the room.
Apparently, my responses bothered him. Well, he could eat a burning thwomp. So could Zakkai, for that matter. “Just break our bond, and I’ll be on my way,” I said.
“Did you bring my wand?” he asked, ignoring my statement.
“No, but I brought my wand.”
His lips twitched. “Good. You’re going to need it.” He began rolling his shirtsleeves to his elbows, his gaze holding mine. “I’ll give you the first spell for our duel. I’m a gentleman like that.”
“Duel? I’m not dueling with you.”
“Oh, but you are, little star. You’ve challenged me, and I accept. So we’ll duel.”
“I didn’t challenge you.”
“Consider this your first lesson, Aflora. When you inform your king that you refuse to bow to him after insulting him with your entry and attire, it results in a challenge.” He cracked his neck, his shirt fully rolled to his elbows now. “Either kneel or deliver your first spell.”
“You’re not my king.” Perhaps goading him was the wrong thing to do, but my survival sense no longer seemed to exist.
“I’m the Source Architect. That makes me your king.” The patience underlining his tone would have been admirable had I been able to admire him.
“A title doesn’t command respect,” I informed him in a similar tone. “Actions do.”
He arched a brow. “Meaning?”
“You attacked an academy full of students and a village of innocent Midnight Fae. Those are actions I’ll never bow to.” Not to mention altering my memories, I added mentally with a narrowing of my gaze. I’m not some delicate little flower you can manipulate with your Quandary magic.
Silence met my words, the entire room seeming to have frozen around me.
Zakkai studied me for a long moment, his silver-blue irises swirling with power. “Respect is an important value here, Aflora. One you seem to be lacking.” He took a step backward, his stance one I recognized from Zeph’s warrior courses. “Lesson number two, sweetheart. Ask questions before you lay accusations at the feet of others. It’s insulting to do otherwise. Now, name your first spell.”
“Ask questions,” I repeated on a humorless laugh. “I’ve asked you several questions, Kai. Your method of answering them leaves a lot to be desired.”
“As does your current attitude,” he countered, cerulean flames dancing along his fingertips. I can’t allow this to go unanswered, Aflora. You’re insulting me in front of our people.