Page 147 of Obsidian Throne
Several mouths opened, no doubt to argue with me, when I raised my hand for silence.
“If, however, you feel so inclined to draw up a new contract for the monarchy,” I said casually. “One that includes my wife as an equal ruling partner, I could be convinced to sign that one.”
Gasps rang out across the table, but Korhonan nodded like he had been expecting that. Nils and Mikhail started speaking at the same time in clear opposition when Arès’ voice silenced them.
“Need I remind you both that we are generously deciding not to sanction your clans for your part in the war, nor to deprive Sir Nils of his head for his betrayal of an alliance.”
Their mouths closed so quickly, it was almost comical.
“It isn’t done,” the duke of Viper insisted quietly.
Remembering what Rowan had said to the bands of Unclanned every day for weeks when she was recruiting them, I let a haughty smirk take over my features.
“It is now,” I told him.
Korhonan spoke up as well. “I might point out that until last week, it was also unheard of for a woman to lead an army of Besklanovvy, but if Lady Stenvall hadn’t done just that, we would all still be under the rule of a tyrant king.”
He barely even stumbled over the description of his brother.
“Not to mention…” Arès gave my wife a look far fonder than the ones she had been giving him. “She has been raised for this, as second-in-line to her own throne, trained to rule the same as the dukes at this table.”
Reluctantly, Andreyev nodded, along with the rest of them. Except Mikhail and Nils, who still glowered silently.
I smirked at the latter. If I couldn’t kill him, subjecting him to the rule of the woman he insisted on being prejudiced toward was a solid consolation prize.
Then I turned to my wife, who actually appeared to be stunned into silence for a change.
Think of everything you could accomplish,she had said.
“We,” I corrected her.
She raised her eyebrows in question.
“Think of everythingwecould accomplish,” I said, squeezing her hand.
A slow smile spread across her lips.
“Well, then,” she said, entwining her fingers with mine. “I believe this calls for some vodka.”
EPILOGUE
ROWAN
Six Months Later…
Evander and I finally returned to our rooms at the Obsidian Palace after yet another long day of trying to get the kingdom in order. It was going more smoothly than expected, at least on my husband’s end.
His natural talent for ruling and the practical plans for food and resources he put in place were well received across the board. Whereas my ideas were generally more…controversial.
It started with the Unclanned becoming my official Queensmen. When push came to shove, none had elected to return to my holdings in Lochlann. They stayed here with me, trying to face this brave new world.
Then I implemented a law that ensured women would be considered for the same apprenticeships that men were, at which point I could practically hear the sound of several thousand Socairan men clutching their pearls and clinging to their outdated ideals.
At least I could still put my armor to good use, gently persuading the weather to calm down for the sake of the crops nearby.
It was possible that sometimes I also utilized the stones to make it rain on Mikhail’s head when he visited, conveniently timed so that he would first leave his carriage without any covering and then find himself drenched by the time he reached the palace doors.
But mostly, I put it to good use.