He puts a finger in his ear and jiggles it. “What?”
A hum erupts as the rebels begin to whisper amongst themselves.
“I said I don’t disagree. You asked what was in it for you to rally your people to fight for the realm. I’ll tell you the answer to that. If you agree to fight alongside me, I will create a king’s council consisting of lesser fae—”
The redcap fists his hands.
“Until we find a better designation for them,” I amend. “Changelings, and any folk of the realm other than high fae.”
“What will that do? Sounds like a lot of talk.” The pixie twirls in front of me. “Nonsense.”
“I will put that council on equal footing with the council of nobles.”
That silences the room.
“Equal footing?” Brunilla asks. “You mean our recommendation will carry as much weight as the high fae?”
“Yes, exactly. Brunilla, I’ll appoint you as head of the council, and you may choose the rest among yourselves. What you do with it, that’s up to you. But I expect you’ll find a way to make your reforms happen without the need for an uprising. Working with the high fae won’t be easy, but together, we can forge a new path ahead. One thatIwant, as well, one that is nothing like the reign of my father.”
“I had hoped for this. My hope grew when you chose the changeling to be your only consort.” Brunilla almost smiles as chatter erupts anew, but this time instead of doubt, I hear cautious hope in each murmur.
“How can we be certain you’ll stick to the deal?” The redcap’s rough voice cuts through the din.
I step forward, my crown alighting atop my head. “Brunilla, I make you this vow.” I hold out my hand.
“A vow? To me? But this is … This is blasphemy.” Her eyes are even wider beneath her spectacles.
The pixie gasps along with several others. High fae don’t make promises to lesser fae or changelings. It’s simply not done. And it iscertainlynot done by a high fae king.
“The realm is changing, and we must change along with it.” I don’t waver, my hand waiting for Brunilla’s.
She swallows hard and steps forward.
I get a jolt of something, of awareness. And it’s coming from somewhere else. From—Emma? I still and wait for it to come again.
“My lord, are you all right?” Brunilla reaches out, so close to taking my hand.
“Nothing. I just thought I felt—” I shake my head. “Nothing. I want all here to watch and remember, to tell your people what you’ve witnessed.”
When our hands meet, the magic binds my words in stripes of gold and silver around our wrists. “Brunilla, I promise you that as I’ve spoken here today, it will be done. You and your people will have a voice at court and your own council equal in power to that of the high fae.”
The magic crackles as my promise is bound.
“And I promise that all the peoples we command will fight by your side to defeat Eraldon.” Another crackle and our deal is done.
I pull my hand away as the redcap strides up.
He scowls up at me. “I’d rather have fought you. Added your blood to my honor.” He pats the cap tucked into his waistband.
I’m about to inform him that I would’ve wiped the floor with him and then his cap, but that sensation returns. The sizzle of awareness, the hint of someone beyond myself.
“Emma?” I turn and hurry out of the room as Brunilla calls behind me. “My lord?”
I burst into the narrow lane, and that’s when I feel it. Feelher.
Emma is awake, and her soul calls for mine with a need so raw it brings my feral. With a roar, I jump atop the nearest building and tear across the rooftops toward the glittering Shard of Day.
33
