“He and I didn’t see eye to eye on everything. But on this topic, I assure you, I am very much my father’s daughter.”
I stepped backward and sat on the edge of my throne, holding Marthe’s gaze as I took another measured sip of wine.
“Whoever killed my father thought they could threaten me, or perhaps intimidate me, but you see, they made a grave miscalculation. Because now, when my life ends—whether at the Challenging, or by the act of some cowardly assassin, or even, gods willing, at the end of a long and happy life—I know my beloved father will be waiting for me on the other side.” My eyes narrowed. “So no, Marthe. I do not fear death. I do not fear a Challenge. And I definitely do not fear the petty threats of House Hanoverre.”
The Hanoverres fidgeted in their seats, some looking furious, others looking unnerved. I drained the rest of my wine, then held the goblet out to my side and let it fall to the floor. Marthe flinched at the loud, startling clang of metal against stone.
“Here is my counter-offer to you,” I said, my tone defiant. “If you want a bonded bargain, I’ll give you one. I will swear to rule fairly and compassionately for all my subjects. I will promise to never sell my justice to the highest bidder. I will ensure that not a soul in my realm goes without a roof over their heads, a meal on their table, or the medicine to cure their ills.
“I will protect the vulnerable and strike down the evil. I will do whatever it takes to protect this realm from its enemies abroad—” My eyes swept across the Hanoverre contingent. “—and from its enemies within. And I will vow on my magic and on everything I hold dear that I will never, ever value my own life above the lives of my people. Mortal or Descended.”
I relaxed back into my chair, leaning casually against a single armrest and resting my chin atop my fist.
“Those are my terms, Marthe. That is the only kind of Queen I will ever be. And if that answer isn’t good enough for House Hanoverre…” My gaze flicked to Jean. “Then I’ll see you in the arena.”
The room sat in stunned silence.
“Take all the time you need to consider my offer,” I said blithely. “I look forward to your response.”
Marthe opened her mouth to speak, but I waved my hand in the same dismissive gesture she had earlier directed at me. “You may go now.”
Marthe was trembling in her fury, Iléana doing much the same. Jean was sizing me up with new sincerity, evaluating me as a threat for the first time in earnest. I began to wonder if House Hanoverre might have genuinely believed I would cower to their threats until this very moment.
Marthe struggled to rise from her chair, and Jean darted to her side, extending an arm. Iléana stood and shot a pointed glare over my shoulder.
“Really, Lu?” she sniped. “Her?”
Remis and Garath moved to follow Marthe, and I cleared my throat. “Crown Council, you will remain seated. The guards can escort the Hanoverres out.”
Remis and Garath gawked at me, then each other. Garath gave a dramatic grunt and dropped back into his chair, and Remis’s jaw tightened as he murmured farewells to a few Hanoverres.
When I was alone with the Corbois contingent, I stood and turned to face them, though my eyes lingered on the doorway.
“Clearly, our strategy hasn’t worked.”
Garath seethed. “It hasn’t worked because you can’t ever keep your fucking mouth—”
“Watch your tone, Father,” Taran growled. “She’s our Queen.”
Mine were not the only eyes that shot to Taran in surprise. Even Luther seemed startled by the confrontation.
“It hasn’t worked,” I started again, “because we were ignorant to believe we could avoid discussing the mortals. After the rebel attack, we should have known the Houses would demand retribution against all mortals. And that is one issue on which I will never bend.”
I nearly let loose a bitter laugh at the irony. The attack on the armory happened because of me, and now it had become the very thing that could seal my fate.
“I am not selling this realm off to the rich and powerful to save my own life. Go and make the deals you need to make with the other Houses. If those deals are in the best interest of the realm—the entire realm—then I will honor them. But the only bonded bargain I will consent to make is the same one I just offered to House Hanoverre.”
Garath chuckled darkly. “Then I hope you’re prepared to fight. After that little display, it would take a miracle from the Kindred to keep you from being Challenged.”
I flashed him a malicious smile. “Garath, if I were you, I’d start putting that sharp tongue to work on persuading the other Houses. If I die, the next Crown might be another mortal-loving half-breed who likes you even less than I do.”
Taran snorted, and even Aemonn cracked a smile, though one angry look from his father had his amusement fading fast.
“Brother, a word?” Garath hissed, looking at Remis before storming out. Remis sighed and looked as if he wanted to say something to me, but his lips stayed closed. He gave a shallow bow and left.
Aemonn took my hand, pressing it to his lips. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Diem. What happened to your father is terrible.” His brows rose. “Perhaps we could go walk in the gardens? I’m sure some sun and fresh air would brighten your spirit.”
“Brighten my spirit?” I laughed, the sound of it coming out vicious. Aemonn had always walked a thin line between kindness and exploitation. Today, that tightrope was fit to snap.
“Or a fine dinner, if you prefer,” he added. “I can arrange a private dining room for the two of us.”
“I’d rather be alone,” I said sourly.
He bristled, his expression cooling. “Yes. Of course.” He lingered a moment, but when none of us moved or spoke further, he cleared his throat, bowed, and excused himself to leave.
I turned to the others, finally forced to look them in the eye. I had expected to find pity there, at best, or perhaps judgment, like my father. Possibly even distrust, if they had previously believed me committed to their kind.
To my surprise, I saw something else.
Something deeper.
“Out of respect for what you four have done for me, let me speak plainly,” I began. “My loyalty is not to House Corbois, nor to the Twenty Houses, or the Descended, or even to the goddess Lumnos herself. My loyalty is to the people who need my protection, not those who feel entitled to it. I will bring justice to this realm, even if it costs me my life.”
I retreated a step, my heart already building its walls. “I would never ask you to choose between me and your family. If you cannot stand with me on this, I underst—”
“We’re with you,” Taran interrupted.
Eleanor nodded. “There’s no Crown I’d rather serve.”
One by one, the four of them placed a fist to their chests and bowed their heads. The tiniest sliver of my misery fell away.
“I’m going to make enemies,” I warned, swallowing thickly. “House Hanoverre is only the beginning.”
“We’ll continue training to prepare for a Challenge,” Alixe said. “Once you learn to control it, you’ll be unbeatable.”