Lady Ivara let out a quiet laugh and leaned into the arm of her chair, looking at the other lords with wide, innocent eyes. The lords looked among themselves when the double doors slammed open.
Daelan Astaroth strolled in, his face the definition of pure arrogance. Meeting my gaze, he stopped, bowing dramatically. “My apologies, Ambrose,” he quipped. “I ran into an old friend and lost track of the time.” Daelan’s eyes strayed behind me, surprise flickering across his face. “I see we have a newcomer joining us.”
I watched how Daelan raked his gaze along Sybil’s body before he sauntered toward her. I turned my head, observing the way he took her hand, gracing it with a small kiss. He looked at her from under his lashes, giving her a wicked smile.
“And you are?” he asked, his voice deepening. I could taste his curiosity, his yearning for more.
“Sit, and I will introduce her, Daelan,” I growled, having had enough of his antics.
“As you wish,” he murmured, holding Sybil’s stare as he threw up his mental shield, cutting off his emotions from me. I watched Sybil’s throat bob. A whisper of shock escaped through whatever shield she created, but quickly vanished into nothingness.
The chill in the air grew, and Daelan threw me an amused glance. He knew my dislike of others touching my belongings; he knew that Sybil, standing behind me, meant she was mine and mine alone. I should have killed him long ago and let one of his insufferable brothers take his place. I snarled, my patience running thin.
Keeping his steps lazy, Daelan walked behind my chair, crossing the room. “Arianna,” he drawled. “Venomous as always.”
A choking sound came from Sybil, while easy laughter flitted across the room. Arianna hissed, but Daelan ignored it, walking to the chair beside Ivara. Shooing the pale-faced lord beside her, Lord Bramwell bared his rotting teeth at Daelan, grumbling as he moved down the table to the empty chair. Daelan sat, giving Ivara a quick wink.
“Now that we’reallhere,” I said, sneering toward Daelan, “I would like to first thank everyone for coming on such short notice. There have been some deeply troubling events over the past few days. However, before we continue, I would like to introduce Sybil Hart. She was given the position of grand paladin and will work for me and the court.”
“And what are her qualifications?” Lord Loic scoffed. “She looks like one of those sniveling humans.”
“She is a human, well, mostly anyway. But she is powerful. I’ve seen her magic, how strong it is, and will become. I found her in Mide, her powers bound for most of her life. But once I released the bind, those powers grew at an astonishing rate. She is more than qualified for the position, Lord Loic. I assure you, and so can Commander Fenleth.”
“And what of General Darktree?” Lord Vito asked. “Where is he?”
“Yes, that brings us to our next subject. Ezra Darktree has been tried and found guilty of treason.”
A mix of gasps and shouts exploded from the table, though Daelan and Ivara were suspiciously quiet. Raising a hand, the lords halted their excitement, and I continued. “Just days ago, we found evidence of General Darktree’s treason. He was seen aiding the rebellion. We interrogated him, and he confessed. He was sentenced but later escaped that night with the help of a few guards. We searched their homes and found letters that prove they are rebel sympathizers.
“The rebels have been increasing their attacks on our soldiers, and now they have infiltrated our military. I have called this meeting for three reasons. First, we plan to host a public execution of these sympathizers. We need to show the public that we do not take kindly to those who support the rebels’ cause. Second, I have received word from Queen Cassia. She has once again extended her stay wherever she has journeyed. Because of this, I believe we should hold a vote to allowmeto step in as a temporary king. With the increasing attacks, the assaults on our people, and now with supporters of the rebellion infesting our ranks, it's more evident than ever that we need a new leader until the queen returns.”
Hushed whispers echoed within the chamber. Shock, anger, surprise, and excitement all filled the air, and I pulled those emotions toward me. I fed on all of it, pushing it back to them—amplifying it.
“And the third?” Daelan said, all amusement and arrogance from before were gone.
“The third, Lord Astaroth, is war,” I stated simply, observing the way his eyes narrowed, how his fingers drummed against the table. I may not have been able to sense what he was feeling, but his skepticism was written all over his face.
“War is a big deal, Ambrose,” he said, his voice full of question and doubt.
“So is taking over as king,” Ivara chimed in.
She held herself with such pretentious, self-importance that I couldn’t help baring my teeth at the little bitch.
“Acting king,” I corrected. “I will gladly step down once Queen Cassia deigns to return. And war is a necessary evil at this point, Daelan. We cannot allow this problem to grow. We found evidence confirming that the Seelie Court is now aiding the rebellion, bolstering its numbers and its attacks. We must stamp it out now before the flames of resistance become too strongand take over our realm. Who knows where the Seelie Court will stop if they have full control of the realm? They may attack the humans in Mide, maybe even attack the lower realm.”
“I agree with Lord Ambrose,” Lord Bramwell said, giving a slight nod in my direction.
Lord Vito, Elnir, Oziel, and Loic all murmured their agreements, leaving only Daelan, Lord Troya, and Ivara.
“Then it’s confirmed,” I said, giving the lords a grateful smile and a slight bow from my chair. “I will step in as acting king and start the preparations for war against the rebellion and the Seelie Court. I will also send word throughout the city that we will hold the public execution by week’s end. Now that we have reached our decision, I would like to discuss who will become the new war general. Does anyone have any ideas of who could take over?”
“I’ll do it,” Daelan said, picking at an invisible string on his vest. He looked up, eyeing the other lords, daring anyone to reject. “Does anyone have any issues with that?”
“I’ll second Lord Astaroth’s bid on the war general’s position,” Ivara said flatly.
“As will I.” Lord Troya chimed, dipping his head to Daelan.
“Fine,” I growled, irritation skirting down my spine. As much as I despised the infernal lord, his father was an avid supporter of mine before his untimely death. “Lord Astaroth, you’ll be the new war general; however, you’ll need to stay here at the palace. I’ll have a room prepared for you.”
