I looked back at Bailey and offered her a small smile. “If you’re willing, that is.”
Before she could respond, her shocked silence was broken by the lord flying out of his chair, nearly breaking it as it toppled to the floor behind him. “What?! Her! Why not one of us? Why not me?”
“I have plenty of reasons for that,” I said evenly, even as his face turned a furious shade of red.
“This is ridiculous, I will not let you pass the temporary duties of the ruler of an entire realm to some weak woman that will fold under—”
“Weak?” Bailey hissed as her eyes narrowed on the lord. We watched as she rounded the table, stopping me stepping forward to snap the bastard's neck, as she stopped right in his space—nearly chest to chest—her gaze darkening with disgust.
“You think I'm weak? I riskedeverythingto leave the Thaician Empire for a mere chance to come to an unknown land in hopes that it would be better for my family. I am brave, far braver than many men I have known, and I do not balk in the face of danger. I will protect the people here like I would my own family. Tell me what you have done that tested your strength of character.”
The man gaped at her, shock evident on his purpling face. “I do not need to explain myself toyou.”
Which meant he knew he had no qualifications to lead. Hell, he probably shouldn’t even be a lord.
“But you should explain yourself to me,” I demanded softly. “And because she will lead in my place, you should do the same for her. Let me ask you something. Why are you here? What have you brought to this discussion besides dissent, blatant disregard for women, and negativity? I have no room in my empire for those who want to bring it to the ground.”
A sneer took over his face as he looked to the other lords. “This! This is the problem with having a woman as our—”
Dakath interrupted the man by grabbing the back of his neck and nearly tossing him out of the room, dropping his ass on the hallway floor and ordering a harsh command to the guards there. “Take him to the dungeons.”
The guards didn’t hesitate after I nodded my confirmation.
Sounds of surprise came from the other lords as some of them paled and others looked down toward the table in abject fear. It was clear that they believed it was his actions that led him to being put there. I would have thought the same if Elijah, at that moment, hadn’t spoken up.
“From the moment of Myrin’s death, he has been doing his best to incite the rage of those around him,” Elijah pointed out. “As you know we have been on watch for the traitor that somehow assisted Malakai’s men in getting into the castle to kidnap Kyella and to kill Myrin. This feat could not have occurred without inside help. While we don’t know that it's him, his hostility, and the actions that he has taken so far would lead us to believe he’s a suspect for questioning.”
“How do we know it's not for simply disagreeing with you, Empress?” One of the other Lords asked, despite looking nervous.
“I could have done a lot of things if I wanted to punish him,” I drew out. “I could have stripped him of lands and titles, but questioning him? That isn’t a punishment if he’s done nothing wrong.”
The Lord looked unconvinced so I continued, “Tell me, can any of you vouch for his character? Can any of you assure me that he wouldn’t do something like that for his own gain?”
None of them said a word and I nodded, knowing that it was the right move.
If he was responsible, I would have his head, but I wasn’t against making him wait in the dungeon the entire time we were at war and giving him his fate after. If it turned out he wasn’t the traitor, a bit of time in jail would be good for his ego if nothing else.
I couldn’t help but feel satisfied at the turn of events and the possibility of gaining a lead to finding out who assisted in setting up my abduction and Myrin’s death as the doors shut once again.
“Right,” I started as I stood and looked at the rest of them. “Now, if we have no other problems or matters to discuss, I think we are done here. We sail in an hour. Be ready.”
With murmurs of agreement, the room cleared, none of the other lords vocalizing any of their shared beliefs with the ass we kicked out. When Bailey suddenly approached me, she offered me a small smile, her eyes tinted with concern.
“I didn’t mean to cause a problem…” She hesitated, wringing her hands in front of her as she eyed me. “Are you sure this is what you want, Kyella?”
“Hey, no doubts anymore,” I said confidently. “You just proved to everyone in this room that you won’t back down. You possess compassion and an inner strength that will be needed to help me in this matter while I’m away.”
Seeing the hesitation still in her eyes, I added, “Plus, I will ensure that we leave a group of trusted guards, chosen by my men, to stay behind to protect you. Also, you will have the previous human advisor that Myrin had at her side and has so far shown loyalty to this change of rule. I wouldn’t leave you alone in this task, Bailey—I will ensure that you have an entire team behind you.”
Her eyes filled with the same determination I felt as she nodded. “I will lead with honor, Kyella. I won’t do the job justice the way you do, or Myrin did, but I will do my best.”
“I know.” I reached out and squeezed her shoulder, checking that Rina wasn’t listening to my words. “Now, go spend some time with your family. I know the separation will be hard.”
When she walked over to Tristan and Rina, my gaze moved to the window, seeing the clear skies and fleet waiting in the harbor.
It was time to sail the Cursed Divide.
Chapter Three
