anyone;

[magnus]

you and I both know that the house is haunted
and you and I both know that the ghost is me

He had no reason to suspect her, no reason to think she was lying, and so he doesn’t. He was confident in his strength, in his ability to protect this kingdom, and truly the Gates had nothing to hide. There was no secret weapon living within their borders—nothing but sweat and blood and faith. So he does not waste his time in questioning her motives, he just meets her sweet smile with a scarred version of his own. “I can understand that,” because he had seen how overwhelming the recruiting process in the field could be; he had been part of that overwhelming nature before. There were plenty of reasons for her to avoid that.

Taking a step back, he gestured toward the kingdom that unfolded around them, the colors of Fall just beginning to hit Heaven. The trees were magnificent now, blooming in reds and oranges and yellows. It was one of his favorite seasons at the kingdom—although he was partial to all of them in one way or another. (In his heart of hearts, none of them matched the vicious beauty of the Jungle, but they all reminded him of Joelle and the softness of her smile, and for that, he chose the Gates every time.)

“This is Heaven’s Gates,” he said simply. “Why don’t you come further in so that I can show you around?” He began to walk alongside her as he led her through the dips of the kingdom. “I can tell you anything you would like to know about it.” There was no secrets for him to shield, and he was proud of the Gate’s openness—even after being attacked. “Is there something in particular you want to know?”

MAGNUS

once general. once lord. once king.