“What happened to our trade with Eslodel?” Usti asked. “While Kai Silver Wolf holds games to distract us, claiming to build legions for wars we never wage, who’s repairing our trade deals?”
Misae’s white teeth flashed. “You should keep your words to what you know, miner.”
Murmurs erupted at the slight. There was no greater disrespect than to refer to someone by the trade assigned by blood and birth, especially those from the working clans.
In response, several dozen males rose within every clan to stand with Usti.
Kai half-expected Atsadi to rise as well, but he only shook his head, mouth dipping into a frown.
Usti raised his arms to envelope these men. “These are not my words alone, Misae.”
The moment settled across Kai’s shoulders like ice. She knew the look on these males’ faces—defiance. They were preparing for battle. Unease rippled through Stoneheart Hall, a place forged by legacy and unity, and a deeper tremor went through Kai. These were warriors, but they were nothers. She did not command them.
Usti Rising Moon did.
“Hunting the frozen wastelands above won’t sustain us,” Usti said. “And our enemies don’t deserve lenience. Our people require leadership brave enough to take action. Shadi Silver Wolf, I call on you and every other matriarch to relinquish your seat immediately.”
Kai gripped her bone handle.
Atsadi put his hand over hers, his eyes wide.
Husband or not, this was not his place.
Kai shook her hand loose and stood. If they wanted a battle, they would have it.
The standing males across the hall took notice, and weapons appeared in their hands. Firelight glinted off the blades of spears and swords.
Kai’s air thinned. She stared into each male’s eyes, but all she saw was blood, and the ghost of screams filled her ears. She was still that little girl with hot blood smearing her face.
Until she wasn’t. Females appeared at her side and back: Otekah, Niabi, Tiponi, Pamuy, and Poloma. Her Stormguard Legion.
As if the past were a band stretched too far, it snapped, and the situation before her clarified. Kai wasn’t that little girl anymore, defenseless against the males who would destroy everything she loved.
Resolve burned through the ice that held her captive, and Kai loosened the grip of her bone handle. Drawing her weapon would be seen as a reason to attack. She would not be the one to make the first move. She would not put all these innocent lives in danger.
On the dais, Shadi stood with Doli and Tse at her sides. They, too, kept their weapons sheathed, but their expressions made it clear—they would draw blood if given a reason.
Around the room, Kai’s warriors slid into and through the levels like wraiths. No standing male was left uncovered.
Kai and her Stormguard took measured steps toward the dais and put themselves before the council of matriarchs, her mother included.
The entire room stilled like a held breath, all eyes on Kai, First Daughter to the Grand Matriarch. Their future leader and commander of the Stormguard Legion.
Kai met Usti’s glare with her own, unyielding, and gave a derisive laugh. “Did you believe you could bend the will of this council so easily? Let me remind you—the strength of our people does not come from threats. It comes from the blood we spill together in battle, the lives we protect, and the oaths we swear to the clans. And as long as I draw breath, no male—nor female—will undermine that.”
To the room of hidden warriors, Kai sent out her order. “Unarm these males.”
It happened before any of them blinked. Prepared to battle, they might have been, but true warriors they were not.
Shadi stepped up to Kai’s side and stared Usti up and down. “Was there anything else you wished to add, Usti Rising Moon? No? Then I suggest you sit and let us discuss our shared problem in peace.” She gave him her back but whispered in Kai’s ear. “He will not be silenced, I fear.”
“He’s done for now.” She met her mother’s eyes. “Leave him to me.”
Shadi nodded, and then a hint of a smile appeared. “You fight your destiny, but you just proved to this entire chamber why you should not, Brightest Star.”
Heat pricked behind Kai’s eyes, and with her throat thick, she could only nod in response.
Kai and her Stormguard descended the dais, then stood like an arrowhead directly in front of Usti, who kept his peace throughout the rest of the meeting. His inaction was the only thing preventing his forced removal.
