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The OP MC 13 Chapter 1
🕑 Added 2022-08-16 03:23:51 +0000 UTCSorry for the late posting. I just finished the book today, and I wasn't sure what was going to come out.
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The early light of dawn shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the warm sunbeams made their way directly to my face. I blinked back sleep as I peered around the lavish bedchamber appointed to me by the King of Sorreyal, and I took in the flowing velvet curtains framing the windows, the four-poster bed, and the mahogany end tables to either side. Then my wandering gaze landed on the olive-skinned beauty in bed beside me.
The red silk sheets accentuated the hues of her tan skin, and her long dark hair splayed across the pillow like water pouring over a fall. The curve of her hips dipped into the valley of her waist, and her bare shoulders moved ever so slightly with each breath she took.
Akina was a warrior mage from the Kotar Desert, and she’d been accompanying me ever since I brought peace to the southern lands where she grew up. Her ability to summon a powerful fiery blade made her a force to be reckoned with on the battleground, but I’d discovered a much softer, more alluring side to the desert dweller after I’d removed her from her homeland.
While we’d been visiting the golden-walled palace of Vallenwood, the capital city of Sorreyal, Akina had the opportunity to try her hand as a baker, and the harsh stoicism of her people faded away as bright happy smiles took over. The amazing warrior woman had been able to accomplish all that on top of achieving our other goals, and she’d helped me have one of my most successful days as the God of Time.
I wanted to be able to relive this feeling, so I made a new save point, and I had to admit, I’d long been enjoying the benefits of being able to return to a certain moment in time with a wave of will power.
I snuggled up against her back, and I wrapped my arms around her to pull her closer to me, but my mind wandered over all that had transpired recently. Ever since I’d been summoned to this medieval fantasy world, I’d grown my power exponentially, and now I had the whole world in the palm of my hand. From turning Bastianville into a thriving metropolis to uniting the warring tribes of the Kotar Desert, I’d been a busy man, but I had a feeling the best was yet to come.
My lips grazed over the skin of Akina’s shoulders, and she shivered slightly in her sleep. It seemed like we’d met a lifetime ago, but that might be due in part to my ability to reset time and redo things as many times as I wanted. As the God of Time, I’d managed to tweak history until it matched my goals, and I made sure my family and I always came out on top.
“Bash?” Akina asked in a sleepy voice as I nuzzled my nose against her neck. “Is it morning already?”
“Very much so,” I chuckled. “But we don’t have anywhere to be just yet. We can stay in bed as long as you like.”
“Well, in that case.” Akina giggled as she pressed her naked ass into my groin. “We shouldn’t waste it.”
“Oh, I was savoring every moment.” I pressed a kiss against her shoulder as I rubbed my hand up and down her side, but I was distracted by the soft textures of her flesh.
Despite growing up in one of the harshest environments in the world, Akina still managed to be a perfect example of feminine softness. She was a fearless warrior woman in the streets, but my soft-kissing lover in the sheets. She was perfect.
Akina let out a quiet gasp as my hand wandered lower and lower, and I could feel the muscles in her hips tense against me. I pressed my already stiffening member into the curves of her ass, and the warrior woman reached her hand back to hold mine close to her.
“Do you think the other ladies will mind?” Akina asked in a hesitant tone. “I don’t want to hog you all to myself.”
“I don’t think Caelia or Zenda mind,” I murmured. “They’re just happy to have you as a part of our family.”
As we spoke, Caelia and Zenda were probably taking advantage of some of the palace’s other amenities like the library and gardens, but I was sure they would be happy that Akina and I had some time to ourselves. My other women had practically demanded I seduce the reserved desert dweller, and they’d welcomed her with open arms from the first time they’d met her.
My other wives, Mahini, Elisa, and Evangeline, were all back in my homebase, Bastianville, and the three women had their hands full taking care of our growing family. My infant daughter, Sorena, was a firecracker that required twenty-four-seven supervision, Mahini’s rapidly progressing pregnancy made it difficult for her to travel, and while Eva’s fertile womb hadn’t grown to the size of the desert beauty’s, the duke’s daughter decided to remain behind to help them.
“So,” I said as I planted soft kisses on her shoulders and the back of her neck. “What shall we do to occupy ourselves?”
“I have an idea,” Akina purred, and she rolled over to face me.
Our faces were inches apart, and I stared deeply into Akina’s metallic-hued eyes before I claimed her lips with my own. Our kiss was soft, loving, and lingering, but it stirred a fire in my loins nonetheless. I pulled her against me until her breasts were pressed against my chest, and she threw a leg over my hips. The warmth of her crevice washed over my hard cock, and I stifled a groan of desire.
“You’re so fucking sexy,” I breathed between kisses. “You fit me like a missing puzzle piece.”
“It feels like I’ve been waiting for you my entire life,” Akina whispered, and she raked her elegant fingers through my messy brown hair. “The moment you showed up, I felt complete.”
“We have the rest of our lives to enjoy it, too.” I grinned. “But I’m really enjoying your presence right now.”
Akina moved her hips in a tantalizing manner, and my cock throbbed as it pressed against her soft mound. Her wetness coated my tip, and I ground myself against her for a few moments to prolong the sensation for as long as possible.
I took the meat of Akina’s hips in hand with a firm grasp, and I guided her motions against my crotch. Our breathing rate increased, and she arched her back with a lustful sigh. The former desert dweller was absolutely irresistible, but I was determined to enjoy every tempting second of it. Knowing I got to spend the rest of our lives together only encouraged my desire even more, so I slowly lifted her leg to give me better access to her warm, moist goodness.
My throbbing tip lurched against her wetness, and Akina wiggled around until it was rubbing against her opening. I could feel the sensation of her lower lips spreading open for me, and I inhaled sharply as I adjusted the angle of my hips ever so slightly.
Akina had her hands on my head as I buried my nose in her hair, and she arched her back as I trailed my fingers down her torso. She gasped when my digits slipped over her hardened nipples, and I longed to have them in my mouth.
“Take me,” she murmured in a husky voice. “Take me now.”
“My pleasure,” I whispered in her ear, and then I thrust my hard cock inside her tight little pussy in one fluid movement.
“Oh, Bash!” Akina cried out in a breathy voice.
“Fuck, you feel good,” I growled as I slid in and out of her.
I gripped Akina’s thigh firmly, but I could feel the muscles in her legs beginning to shake, and I realized she was already on the verge of an orgasm. Just having my dick inside her had brought her to the edge, but I was determined to throw her off it into the canyons of pleasure, so I repositioned my hand until my fingers could reach her slit.
With my breathing getting heavier and sweat dappling my forehead, I rubbed the pad of my middle finger against Akina’s node of pleasure. I could feel the heat radiating from her, and I struggled to maintain a grip on her slippery skin.
“Yes! Yes!” Akina panted. “Right there!”
I continued to simultaneously fuck and finger her, and I increased the pace of my movements until the sounds of wet slapping filled the air. Then Akina’s entire body stiffened, and even her toes curled inward as the orgasm hit her like a crate of TNT. I ground myself deep inside her, and I could feel the walls of her tunnel tightening around me.
“Fuuuck,” I groaned, and I struggled to hold onto my self-control.
When the desert beauty’s orgasm finally subsided, all of her muscles relaxed, and she let out a sigh of delight. I slowed my pace, but I wiggled a little lower so I could bury myself to the hilt in her warm tunnel.
I pulled Akina closer to me, and I peppered her shoulder, neck, and cheeks with soft kisses. She wiggled her entire body against mine like mating snakes in the sand, and I felt closer to her than ever before.
We were one.
“I want to give you the pleasure you give me,” Akina said in a soft voice. “How can I do that for you?”
“Oh, trust me, you do,” I chuckled. “In fact, it’s sometimes hard to hold myself back from exploding after just a few minutes because you’re so fucking sexy.”
“You have the stamina of a god,” Akina noted, and I could see the corners of her lips twist into a smile.
Then Akina rolled over and pushed me onto my back, and I held my breath in awe of her beauty as she climbed on top of me. Her dark hair fell across her shoulders in waves, and her metallic-hued eyes were heavy lidded and full of lust. The desert beauty lowered herself onto my cock, and her lips parted as a silent gasp escaped her.
Once I was fully sheathed inside her, I felt her shiver with delight, but then she started to rock back and forth to work me even deeper in her tight pussy. I could feel the wall of her cervix, and the unique texture rubbed against my mushroom cap.
“Fuck,” I moaned, and I grabbed her hips to guide her movements.
Akina followed my lead, and she began to twist her hips in concentric circles. Her toned abdomen glistened with sweat, and the muscles rippled as she danced on my cock. The desert dweller seemed unfazed by the heat and sweat, but her perky breasts heaved as her breathing grew rapid.
“Bash!” Akina gasped. “It’s happening again!”
“Let go,” I urged. “Enjoy it.”
I thrust my hips upward until I was slamming into her at a rapid pace, and her perfect tits bounced with each movement.
“Oh! Oh! Oh!” Akina’s mouth hung open, and guttural sounds escaped her throat with each bounce. Her eyes were unfocused, and I could tell she was right on the edge of another glorious orgasm.
I knew exactly what to do to get her there, too.
I rose up until I could wrap both of my hands in her thick dark curls, and I held her firmly as I claimed her mouth with my own. My tongue rolled around hers like a Kraken breaking a ship, and I could feel the vibrations of her moans as I swallowed them down.
With her head held firmly against me, I pressed her down even harder onto my stiff cock, and she began to shake more and more with each thrust. I didn’t relent in my constant attack on her pussy, and she surrendered to my control like a limp rag doll. Her head flung backward, and I licked and nibbled on her exposed neck as I cradled her gently in my arms. She tasted of salt and seduction, and I couldn’t get enough of her.
Then I picked Akina up and twisted around in one motion until she laid on her back with her hair splayed out over the pillows, but I didn’t let my cock slide out of her in the process, so I dug in deep as she landed. Akina groaned and spread her legs even wider, and I leaned back to hold onto her feet while I thrust in and out of her.
“Bash!” Akina moaning my name was one of the best sounds I’d ever heard. “Give me a baby? Please?”
“What?” I blinked sweat out of my eyes as I tried to process her words. “You want to get pregnant?”
“I want to give you a child.” Akina nodded, but there was an intensity in her gaze that pulled me in. “I want to carry the child of a god.”
“Oh, fuck,” I growled as a shiver ran up my spine. “That’s hot.”
I was slamming into the slippery tunnel between her legs with more and more force, but I continued to hold her legs out by her feet to give me perfect access. The bouncing of her breasts drew my attention, and I leaned forward to flick my tongue across a hardened bud.
Akina arched her back, and her hands wrapped around my head to hold my mouth against her nipple, so I sucked it between my lips before I twisted and twirled my tongue against the tip. The texture of her areola intrigued me, and I suckled until I could hear her breathing rate increase.
“Yes!” Akina groaned and stiffened. “Don’t stop!”
I pumped in and out of her while I continued to lick and suck on her breasts, and our skin started to stick together as the sweat turned into a glue, but there was no place I’d rather be stuck.
“Do you like that?” I asked as I ground my hips in a circular motion with my tip buried deep inside her. “Are you going to cum for me again?”
“I-I-I don’t know if I can…” Akina whimpered. “It’s just constant waves of pleasure now.”
“You can do it,” I said in an encouraging tone.
I leaned back until I could reach her slippery lower lips, and I pressed the pad of my thumb against her clit while I continued to slide in and out of her tight tunnel. The sight of her opening spreading around my girth sent another shiver of delight up my spine, and I could feel my need for release building to an unbearable level.
“Yes, yes, yes.” Akina’s leg muscles began to twitch, and her toes curled inward once more.
I plunged my cock as deep as it would go, paused, and then I did it all over again.
“Oh, shit,” I gasped as I felt myself unravel. “I’m cumming!”
Akina wrapped her legs around me and pulled me closer against her, and I could feel her ankles twitching against my lower back as the sensations washed over her. I released my tenuous grasp on my self-control, and I let the torrent of my seed explode out of me. My hips jerked as a few more spurts erupted, but the desert beauty did not let go of me, so I collapsed and buried my face in her neck.
“Wow,” she breathed as she ran delicate fingers through my hair. “Just… Wow!”
“You’re welcome,” I chuckled. “I hope I gave you what you wanted.”
“The beginning of our child could already be growing!” Akina’s tone was excited, and it made my heart skip a beat to hear how eager she was to carry my child.
I rolled to the side so I wouldn’t crush her beneath my weight, but Akina merely snuggled even closer against me. Her gaze was full of love and adoration as she looked up at me, and I couldn’t resist giving her a soft, slow kiss. I was tempted to reset to my save point to enjoy the experience all over again, but I still had plenty of time to do that, and the current moment was more than pleasurable. We’d already made love several times the night before, and it was nice to lay in each other’s arms as we contemplated the possibility of a new life being made.
The previous night had been a lovely evening spent wining and dining with the nobles who resided in Vallenwood’s palace, and while the event was to celebrate my victory, I knew there was still a lot of work to be done in the capital city. I’d managed to get a good look at the state of the streets during the parade through town, and I had several ideas for how to improve the quality of living within the golden walls.
I just needed to get King Frederick to listen to me.
The king of Sorreyal had been coming to me with his problems ever since the fire-breathing nightmare called Smiguel had arrived in the realm, and I’d saved his ass more times than I could count, so I was determined to take a different approach. I didn’t want him to rely on me for everything when he was responsible for the entire kingdom, but I wasn’t going to leave him high and dry, either.
I needed to find a compromise.
Akina and I drifted in and out of sleep for a few hours, but then my growling stomach demanded we wake up once and for all. I rang a bell string on the wall, and I headed into the bathroom to rinse off the smell of sex and sweat. My lover giggled as she raced past me, and her naked ass jiggling in front of me only made me slow down so I could enjoy the view.
A short while later, we were lounging in silk robes while we picked over the breakfast spread a servant had brought to the room, and we were flirting and teasing each other in between bites. Once my stomach was satisfied, I weighed out my options for the rest of the day. The day before had been a busy one for the king, but there was no time like the present when it came to resolving the issues facing the capital city.
I’d have to meet with him to discuss plans for the future.
After Akina and I had our fill of breakfast, we went off in search of our companions, Caelia and Zenda. As predicted, the Zaborian historian had her nose in a book about the different territories of Sorreyal, and she didn’t hear us approach until we were right in front of her. My torso blocked her light, and she poked her head up when the shadow fell across the page in front of her. A bright smile lit up her face as soon as she realized it was me, and she put the book to the side and stood up.
The blue-skinned scholar wrapped her wrists around the back of my head, and she draped her body against me as our lips met. My hands instinctively cradled her lower back, and I could feel her heart racing against my chest.
“Well, hello,” I chuckled when our lips parted. “Enjoying the peace and quiet?”
“I was wondering when you’d emerge from bed,” Zenda said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Caelia and I placed bets. Apparently, she won, because it isn’t sundown yet.”
“Where is Caelia, by the way?” I asked as I looked from side to side just in case she was somewhere in the library.
“I believe she went to the market,” Zenda said. “I don’t remember because I was already reading at that point, but I’m pretty sure that’s what she said.”
“Well, Caels is a big girl,” I said. “I’m sure she’s stocking up on exotic goods from traveling vendors before we go back to Bastianville.”
“Speaking of,” Zenda said, and she turned to rifle through a pile of books. “We need to update the volumes regarding territories since you claimed a portion of the map around Bastianville for yourself. According to my research, it is the fastest growing town since the founding of Vallenwood.”
“I’m sure the king has scribes and researchers who keep track of all that,” I said. “We can ask him about it and see if he will let you join them.”
“Good idea.” Zenda grinned. “I also have some ideas for Vallenwood I think he should hear. There are systems in place in the Zaborial Isles to handle refuse, and I think there’s an aqueduct south of the capital.”
“What does that mean?” I frowned. “Are we going to sink?”
“No.” Zenda laughed. “But it would be a better water source if we can figure out how to access it.”
The Zaborian historian gathered an armful of books and hugged them against her chest like a security blanket, and she flashed me a hopeful smile. She always amazed me with her intelligence and shrewd observational skills, and she continued to be an essential asset on my side.
“You’re brilliant,” I breathed. “We will take the idea to the king and see what he says.”
It was late in the afternoon when Caelia returned to the palace, and she clutched several baskets heaping with new purchases. I helped her carry everything to her room, and I assured her we’d be able to bring the items back to Bastianville. I had the fast travel amulet, so all it took was a quick blip, and everything I touched would return to my homebase where the other half of the amulet waited.
“I think I’m going to suggest some big changes around here,” I said to the dark-skinned shopkeeper as we headed back to the common area. “Vallenwood may be the largest and most populated city in Sorreyal, but it has some serious issues that need to be addressed.”
“I did make some observations while in the marketplace,” Caelia agreed. “Vallenwood was once a glorious epicenter of trade, but there are far less vendors here than there were when you first brought me.”
“Do you think Bastianville is to blame for that?” I asked, and we stepped into the common room to join Zenda and Akina on the couches. “We’ve been attracting a lot of merchants and traveling vendors, but I never intended for it to be harmful to Vallenwood’s economy.”
“No, absolutely not,” Zenda immediately interjected. “Bastianville is hard to access from other realms unless you go through Vallenwood. A thriving town within the kingdom only adds to the allure of the capital. You make the whole realm look better.”
We continued to discuss the situation in Vallenwood, but all three women made really good points. Zenda suggested more ideas, like a school available to every child in the city, and Caelia shared all her observations from the market. There were whole sections of the city the merchants avoided because of the rampant filth and rodents present, so it seemed like we had our work cut out for us.
Nothing the God of Winning couldn’t handle.
It was almost dinner time when I felt ready to take my thoughts to the king, so I sent a servant across the palace to request an audience. I wasn’t surprised when the young man in the red and gold livery of Vallenwood returned with an affirmative response, and I followed him back through the corridors to the king’s chambers.
King Frederick sat in front of a small round table, and a handful of servants stood behind him awaiting any cue. He gestured with a greasy turkey leg to a chair on the opposite side from him, and I quickly sank into it.
“Do you want some food?” the king asked, but before I could answer, he turned to beckon one of the servants forward. “Give Sir Sebastian a plate with everything on it. Oh, and a glass of wine. Thank you.”
“That’s really unnecessary, but thank you.” I pressed my lips into a thin white line. “I’m actually here for another reason. We have business to discuss.”
“There are few joys in life greater than the enjoyment of food,” King Fred said like he didn’t hear me. “It’s my favorite part of being king, but the nice bed doesn’t hurt, either.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” I said. “But this is important. Things need to change, or the situation in Vallenwood will never improve.”
“What do you suggest?” King Fred sighed, and his shoulders slumped. “I’ve tried everything.”
“That’s not true,” I countered. “I have some ideas.”
A silver platter filled with a variety of food was placed in front of me, and another servant placed a glass of wine on my other side. I was distracted for a moment, but I couldn’t help savoring the delicious aromas emanating from the plate. There was a turkey leg, roast beef, slices of honeyed ham, potatoes, mixed greens, and rice. A couple of buttered hot rolls teetered on the edge of the silver platter, but I quickly rescued them and redirected them to my face.
The king and I discussed all my suggestions while we both finished our meals, and my stomach was more than satisfied when we finally reached an agreement. The king would enact a city-wide cleanup initiative, create a unified schooling system, and fund research into accessing the aqueduct. He debated for longer than I expected when I brought up the idea of releasing nonviolent criminals, but I was determined to show the residents of Vallenwood that they deserved a second chance.
“Alright, it’s settled,” King Fred said as he steepled his fingers below his chin. “We will make an announcement together very soon, but I want you to guarantee that you’ll continue to assist me in these matters.”
“Look, it’s your kingdom, your city.” I shrugged. “I don’t want you to fail because that would affect the entire realm, but I also have other responsibilities to focus on. I have a growing family, an army, and a town of my own to run. I can’t promise I’ll stick around forever, but I’m not going to let you drown.”
“Well, I appreciate that at the very least.” The king sounded disappointed, but I wasn’t going to lie to him just because it was what he wanted to hear.
He might be a king, but I was a god.
King Fred called in a scribe, and he dictated instructions on gathering an audience for the announcements. I reiterated many times how it would be most beneficial to take the message directly to the heart of the city, and the king finally relented. A stage would be erected in the market square, and the heralds would spread word of the impending announcement.
I was eager to move forward with our plans, so I woke up bright and early the day the announcement was to be made. The ladies were all still asleep, but I would update them on how the announcements were received when I returned, and in the meantime, they could get some beauty rest.
Not that any of them needed it.
I met up with King Frederick in the foyer of the palace, and we both walked out to the courtyard together. An open-air carriage carried us to the heart of the city, and a sizable crowd had already gathered around the newly built stage.
King Fred led the way to the center of the wooden platform, and a circle of guards separated him from the crowd. I joined the king and waved to the people in a friendly manner, but the only response was tense whispers. The skepticism on their faces was plain to see, but I knew I could make them feel more hopeful.
The God of Time was here to switch it up.
I was a god of the people, and their happiness was paramount to achieving my goals for world domination. With the populace on my side, those other two gods didn’t stand a chance against me, but I shook off my thoughts of my enemies and refocused on the moment at hand.
The king’s body language was tense and nervous, so I gave him an encouraging smile before we both turned to face the crowd. King Fred lifted his arms to signal for silence, and a hush fell over the gathered masses.
“Vallenwood is suffering,” King Frederick said in a loud voice. “You are suffering. Things need to change, and the Archduke here has stepped forward to take charge of the situation. We will be enacting some new laws, and relaxing some others.”
The king began to explain our plan to clean up the city. There were approving nods and claps when he explained about releasing the nonviolent criminals and giving them a second chance, but the booing started as soon as the curfew and alcohol limits were announced. The taunts and jeers were drowning out the king’s voice, and he flashed me a helpless look.
Shit.
“Alright, alright!” I shouted as I gestured for silence, and I stepped slightly in front of the king. “This is for the best for everyone. We all want a safer Sorreyal.”
“Why now?” someone called out. “Why not last year before my father starved to death?”
“Yeah!” a bunch of people shouted in agreement.
The voices continued to shout and join together until the crowd emitted a buzzing vibration. The king shrugged and began to leave the platform, but the second he stepped away, the front of the crowd rushed toward the protective circle of guards.
I caught several things being thrown in my peripheral vision, and a couple vegetables whacked guards in the helmet and face. Things were getting out of control, and it didn’t seem like the city guard would be able to hold them all back for long. The armored soldiers joined their shields together to form a wall, but the people moved in a wave against the barrier in search of weak spots.
I had to protect the king.
When I turned around to find King Fred, his personal retinue of guards were surrounded on all sides, and the crowd was pushing them further and further away from the stage. I could barely see the king through the press of bodies between us, but the sunlight glinted off the crown perched atop his head.
“Fred!” I shouted as I jumped into action.
I had to get him back to the palace before the angry residents of Vallenwood killed him, but it seemed like that was exactly their intention. I dove into the mass of bodies, and I struggled to maintain my footing as they flowed around me. A few people spotted me and moved to intercept my movement toward the king, but I didn’t hesitate.
I sucker-punched a large guy in the face, and his head snapped to the side. More people rushed forward to grab at my arms and legs, and I was almost caught up in the wave of the crowd. I had to reach the king, so I shoved back the people holding onto me, and I went on the offensive. This riot was far beyond the abilities of the guard, and I knew our only choice was to retreat back to the palace, but it didn’t seem like I would be getting much help from the soldiers.
I continued to kick, shove, and punch my way through the crowd, but I could see the king every so often through the ocean of bodies. There was a moment when we made eye contact and time seemed to freeze, but he was swept away from me an instant later.
“Let me go!” I shouted as I kicked backward to push someone off me.
I was starting to make some progress through the crowd, but it seemed like the closer I got to the king’s location, the more dense the press of bodies became. The ringing of shouts and roars filled my ears, and the stench of the streets was overpowering, but I blocked out everything except the image of the king in his circle of guards.
With a stomp of my foot, I activated the fleetness ability of my griffon feather dragonscale boots, and I zoomed past the people standing in my way. Several rioters were knocked off their feet like bowling pins, and I was standing beside the king a moment later. The guards quickly swallowed me inside their protective circle, but we were still far from safety.
“I have to get you out of here,” I said in a voice loud enough for the king to hear me above the din of the crowd. “They’re after blood.”
“How do you propose doing that, exactly?” King Fred was jostled as his guards were rammed by peasants on the other side of their shields. “We’re surrounded!”
“Climb on my back,” I instructed as I turned to kneel in front of him. “I’ll get us both out of here.”
The king grumbled something about being humiliated, but in the end he chose a chance at escape over his dignity, and he clambered onto my back. The ruler of Sorreyal was lighter than I expected, and it only took me a moment to position him securely. Then I stomped my foot again, and I zipped through the circle of guards at top speed. The armored guards jumped out of the way at the last minute, but they ended up knocking over several of the rioters in the process, so we were given an opening to run through.
I didn’t slow down as we shoved through the crowd, but my speed allowed me to dart between people like they were moving in slow motion. I could see the empty street beyond the horde, and a moment later, we burst out of the gathered masses. King Fred gasped in a few breaths, but then he tapped me on the shoulder.
“They’re coming after us!” The king clung to my back, but I could feel the tension in his body.
I glanced over my shoulder to see a handful of people following us, but they would be eating my dust before they realized where we’d gone. I stomped my foot for the third time, and the streets of Vallenwood flashed by my peripheral vision, but I made a mental note to check the stats on my boots when I got the chance. Then I headed straight to the palace, and I didn’t stop until we entered the courtyard.
Once the king was on his feet again, I bent over and supported myself on my knees as I caught my breath. My cheeks felt windburned from the dash through the city, but the king was safe, so that was all that mattered. We’d managed to escape the mob intent on bringing him down, and I was glad we’d made it out unharmed.
“That was crazy,” I said with a shake of my head. “I didn’t expect them to react that way.”
“Maybe it was too much change,” the king mused. “I can’t even pretend to know what the people want anymore.”
“Don’t say that,” I said in a reassuring tone. “We will figure this out. We can hold town halls or gather petitions to see what the residents of Vallenwood need from their ruler. This is just a setback.”
“Another setback in a long line of failures.” King Fred sighed. “I have no heir, no wife, and now, I’ve lost the respect of the people. I have failed.”
“Things may seem bad now,” I said. “But we can turn it around. We just need to give them some time to process the new changes, and I’m sure everyone will realize it’s for the best.”
“You don’t understand, Sir Sebastian.” King Fred frowned. “I fully believe you have the power to change Vallenwood, and I’m sure you are capable of fixing the city.”
“Cool.” I grinned. “So, let’s figure out our next move.”
Then, once we figured out where we went wrong, I could reset and avoid the mob altogether.
“No.” King Fred shook his head, and then he reached up and removed the crown from the top of his head. “I can’t do it anymore. Here.”
The king of Sorreyal handed me his crown, and without another word, he turned and walked inside the palace. I blinked at his departing back for a long moment as I tried to process what just happened.
Did the king just quit?
