Page 27 of Crimson Kingdom
“Da’, perhaps you could let the council know that Rowan will be along shortly, so they don’t get things started without her?”
My father gave her a look that said he knew exactly what she was doing, but a glance at my expression must have convinced him it was for the best.
“Aye, I’ll do that.” The flush of fury had faded somewhat from his cheeks, though his emerald eyes still burned with ire.
This meeting was sure to be fun for everyone.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Between Avani’s bolstering words and her careful attention to my appearance this morning, I strode into the Council Room twenty-five minutes late on sure, confident footsteps.
“Apologies for my tardiness,” I said with a benign smile, gliding to my chair.
My mother looked like she was biting back a smile, and Aunt Jocelyn had an openly satisfied smirk on her face.
Because Avani had done her job well.
I cut a striking image in a deep red gown only a shade darker than my hair. Gold threads offset the fabric, shimmering when I walked and bringing more presence than my five short feet would normally allow for.
Then, of course, there was the rather impressive tiara, rubies and diamonds sparkling from woven gold branches. I was every bit the second-in-line to the largest kingdom in the known world today.
“I daresay it was worth it,” Theo said, shooting me one of his luminous smiles.
I returned the expression, taking the seat next to him and ostensibly ignoring the arseling sitting across from us.
The table was emptier today since the entire council was not needed for these discussions. Instead, there was a carefully cultivated group, so everyone’s interests were represented.
My parents were here, of course, but Avani was holding Court in their stead. Uncle Oli was in attendance along with Aunt Jocelyn, MacKinnon, and Lairds MacBay and Buchanan.
Silence filled the room until finally, my mother addressed Evander.
“We understand you have terms for...allowingthe alliance between Elk and Lochlann.” She gave an irritable blink to show exactly what she thought of that. “To be clear, we neither recognize nor condone the fact that you essentially claimed our daughter as your property for things she had no control over.”
She let those words linger in the air.
“Understood,” Evander inclined his head respectfully, not bothering to argue.
“However,” my mother went on, “we do recognize that we are not in a position to overturn a decision made by the Socairan ruling party. Additionally, we are conscious of the fact that you respected her decision to leave when you could have chosen not to. So, we have decided to entertain these discussions peacefully.”
“For now,” my father added, the threat evident in his glowering features.
Again, Evander nodded, his own face unreadable.
“Are there any questions before we begin?” My mother looked around the table.
“I have one,” Theo spoke up, an uncharacteristically hard look in his eyes as he turned them on Evander. “What’s to stop your father from sending his men in to overturn this decision, as he did last time?”
Evander’s gaze snapped to mine, and I looked away, not wanting to admit I had kept a secret for him when he was being such a complete and utteraalio. Shoulders relaxing, just barely, he reached into his outer jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope.
“I have a letter with his seal, granting me full authority over these discussions.” He handed it to my mother, who opened it and read it before nodding.
“What changed his mind?” Theo demanded.
Would I have noticed the slight pinching around Evander’s eyes if I hadn’t been looking for it? His father changed his mind from minute to minute with no rhyme or reason, but that was hardly common knowledge.
“It isn’t for me to question the Duke,” Evander replied smoothly.
Theo huffed out a bitter breath but didn’t respond.