The statement alone will cause ripples.
We arrive at the council chambers together, Oliver at my side rather than behind me. I can feel the stares from other Lactari as we pass, can hear the whispered speculation. A widow bringing her livestock to a council meeting? Unheard of.
Good. Let them stare. Let them wonder.
Thrain is waiting outside the chamber doors. His eyes widen when he sees us, then narrow with fury.
"What is this?" he demands. "Primsyn, our deadline isn't until this evening. And why have you brought that...thatthinghere?"
"His name is Oliver," I say calmly. "And I've called this emergency session to bring charges before the council. Against you."
His face goes purple with rage. "You dare..."
"I dare." I move past him, Oliver following. "Shall we go inside? Or would you prefer to make your guilt more obvious by attempting to stop a formal council proceeding?"
Thrain's jaw works, but he can't refuse without looking suspicious. He follows us into the chambers, fury rolling off him in waves.
The council chamber is circular, with seven high seats arranged in a semicircle. The members are already seated, their expressions ranging from curious to annoyed at being summoned on short notice.
Councilwoman Merra, the eldest member, speaks first. "Widow Primsyn. You've requested this emergency session. State your business."
I step forward, Oliver remaining at my side. "Honored council members, I come before you today to bring formal charges against Councilman Thrain. Charges of blackmail, coercion, and multiple counts of murder."
The chamber erupts in shocked murmurs. Thrain shoots to his feet.
"This is outrageous! I demand?—"
"You'll have your turn to speak, Councilman," Merra says sharply. "Sit down. Widow Primsyn, these are serious accusations. What evidence do you present?"
"Yesterday, Councilman Thrain came to my estate with an ultimatum. He demanded I dispose of my human, Oliver, or face ruin. He threatened to bring false charges of impropriety before this council unless I complied with his demands."
"False charges?" Thrain snarls. "You've been fucking your livestock! Everyone knows it!"
The chamber goes silent. I feel Oliver tense beside me, but I don't flinch.
"Yes," I say clearly. "I have been intimate with Oliver. But he is not livestock to me. He is my partner, my equal, and my choice. What happens in my private chambers is my business, not yours, Councilman."
"You admit it?" Councilman Vex, a younger male, looks shocked. "You openly admit to such...perversion?"
"I admit to finding a connection with someone who sees me as more than a political pawn." I meet each council member's eyes in turn. "Something my late husband never did. Something Councilman Thrain sought to exploit."
"She's lying!" Thrain is on his feet again. "I made her no threats. I merely expressed concern about her reputation, as any concerned colleague would."
"Then why did you tell me if I didn't comply, you would destroy me and purchase my estate once it went up for sale?" I counter. "Why did you demand I accept your courtship in exchange for your silence?"
"Hearsay. You have no proof."
"Actually, we do." Oliver speaks for the first time, his voice steady. "Last night, we infiltrated your estate. We found the locked drawer in your study. The one filled with trophies from the humans you've murdered over the years."
The chamber explodes again. Council members are shouting, demanding order, demanding explanations.
"Lies!" Thrain roars. "There is no such drawer!"
"Then you won't mind the council sending investigators to search your study?" Oliver asks calmly. "If there's nothing to find, you have nothing to fear."
Thrain's face cycles through several colors. "This is a conspiracy. They broke into my home, probably planted false evidence..."
"We didn't plant anything," I interrupt. "We didn't get the chance. Your guards discovered us before we could remove any evidence. We barely escaped with our lives." I gesture to Oliver's bandaged shoulder. "He took an arrow fleeing your estate. Your guards can verify the intrusion. The evidence is still exactly where you left it."
