“GET OUT!” Lithan screeched at her.
“Lithan! Silence!” I ordered. “Let her speak.”
“He’s here—in the castle,” Hazel repeated. “He no longer works for Queen Trina. She put Ruby and Julian in the dungeon, and Ash rescued them. If he goes back there, he’s dead.”
“That is inconsequential!” Lithan exploded. “The fact remains that Ashbik is still a traitor and doesn’t belong in the kitchens of Hellswan—let alone at the head of it!”
I was doing my utmost to hide my fury. Queen Trina again. Did the woman have a death wish? I vowed this would be the last time that she harmed any soul from my kingdom—human or sentry.
My eyes met Hazel’s briefly, then I had to look away. I couldn’t read what was going through her mind. She had obviously heard my speech, and I couldn’t tell if she pitied me or if it was something else, but when she’d looked at me her eyes had been soft—loving? That didn’t make sense to me. Not after what I’d just done. If I wasn’t emperor, then I had no hope of saving her brother. I had expected her to be furious.
“You need to leave, Hazel,” I told her calmly. “This is a council meeting. Go to the human quarters—I will come and find you later.”
I had expected her to argue, but she agreed meekly and abruptly left the room. I watched her go, wondering what she would have to say to me later.
I cleared my throat. “I would like you to reconsider your opinion. Lithan, try not to let your prejudice stand in the way. He is a good contender. His brief alignment with Queen Trina may well give him an edge.”
Lithan glanced over at Memenion.
“Do not concern yourself with me,” the king replied to Lithan. “I believe that the right sentry will win the trials. As long as that isn’t Queen Trina Seraq, then I am satisfied. I too believe that Ashbik is a good contender.”
I sighed with relief. Memenion’s opinion would hold sway with some of the more open-minded ministers.
“Please, Tejus—what is the meaning of this?” Qentos quivered again. All the ministers and guards went completely silent.
Now what?
“The attack by the ghoul weakened me. The chances of me succeeding at the next trial are slim—too slim to risk this kingdom losing its seat of power. There is a malevolent being here that above all has to be contained. We are all in mortal danger if this creature rises. If Queen Trina takes the kingdom, then I fear for us all. We cannot allow this to happen. I am hoping that Memenion and Ashbik will work together to ensure she is not victorious—and I believe they will.” Memenion nodded in my direction, and I acknowledged his approval. “And because this is the right thing to do—the honorable thing to do. I am not my father; I will not follow in his footsteps. The people of this kingdom cheered for Ashbik because they believed that he would create radical change. I want to give him the opportunity to do so. My people need him more than they need me.”
And because I am in love. I am completely, impossibly in love with a human. She has torn away the very foundations of my belief, and I no longer wish to be the man I was. I want her to be mine, without having to change who she is—because she is my better. My superior in every single way imaginable.
The truth I had been searching for hit me with sudden, irrevocable clarity.
“I have to go,” I stated.
“What?” Lithan screamed. “We have not decided! We must settle this matter at once—and if your mind can’t be swayed from this ridiculousness, then we need to discuss a more adequate replacement!”
I smiled at Lithan.
“It is Ashbik you need, Lithan. If you’re worried about your position, I can put in a good word for you. Despite your ruthlessness, you do have some more redeeming qualities that Ashbik may approve of,” I commented dryly, “such as your lowly birth. That might endear you to him.”
Lithan stuttered, sounding like he was being strangled, his face turning an unattractive shade of mottled red.
“Lieutenant, take over; fight for Ashbik. Trust me on this if nothing else.”
I turned and headed to the door. I hadn’t even left the room when I heard Lithan suggesting that Jenus be brought back from his banishment. Thankfully, Memenion’s laughter at his suggestion could be heard all the way out in the hallway.
The ministers would come around eventually. They didn’t really have any other choice. Despite my personal dislike of Ashbik, I did believe that he had what it took to be emperor.
I strode through the castle as swiftly as I could, putting the politics aside.
I wanted to find her.
Hazel