Page 264 of Onyx Cage: Volume II
“Under Iiro,” he agreed. “But if someone else were to take up that mantle…”
“Someone like…?” I asked, waiting for him to supply his own name.
“Someone like you,” Korhonan answered instead. “You are the one who defeated the king, after all.”
I blinked several times rapidly, sure I had misheard him. Once again, I surveyed the dukes at the table. Mikhail and Nils looked decidedly disgruntled, but I didn’t give a single damn what either of them thought, certainly not the latter. He was lucky I didn’t have the strength to sever his head from his body right now, though I just might find it if he so much as thought in the direction of my wife.
The other dukes appeared…thoughtful. Hopeful, even.
“You’re the logical choice,” Arès said. “I’ve observed your strategy myself, the way you form alliances, securing trade and food for the first time in a generation.”
“In spite of your father’s rule, those under your command consider your decisions to be fair, and you have been a loyal ally,” the duke of Crane added.
“And you are already peacefully tied to our only potential enemy,” Andreyev from Viper chimed in.
It was clear they had discussed this at length already.
Korhonan pushed a crisp sheet of parchment in front of me. I briefly scanned the contents of what appeared to be a contract to rule, written in elegantly lettered script…with eight signatures already on the bottom.
“It’s only missing yours,” Arès pointed out, nudging a quill and ink across the table toward me.
My mind reeled with the possibilities. Was this even something I wanted? I certainly didn’t want anyone else doing it, not when I didn’t trust their interests, but was a monarchy even necessary?
And what about Rowan?
I met her eyes solidly. They were wide with surprise, but also affirmation.
Her hand came over mine. “Think of your plans for resources. Think of everything you could accomplish.”
In spite of myself, I contemplated what they were asking. Socair would continue to suffer if the clans couldn’t band together. Hadn’t I thought that more than once?
Then I considered Rowan, how she had already changed things with the Unclanned and the women tending the injured, just in the short time she had been here.
How the balance of power had been off between us from the first day we met, and how many problems that had caused.
How she couldn’t even sit in on council meetings in my stead.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline to sign this document,” I said, shoving it back toward Korhonan.
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 speakingat 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. I considered asking Arès if that second part was negotiable. Then again, if they amended their ruling contract, I wouldn’t have to ask.
Executing Nils could be my first official order as king.
It was tempting – so tempting. But I wouldn’t start my reign on bloodshed and bitterness, no matter how much I despised the man.
“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.