Razik was seated there, a plate full of food, and he glared at her. “About time.”
“I wasn’t aware I had plans today,” she retorted, snagging the last two cinnamon rolls along with some fruit and sausage.
Razik’s eyes flicked to Cethin and back. “I was also only made aware of those plans this morning. Something else we need to be prepared for, Sutara?”
“In time,” he answered airily, taking a seat next to her. “You never leave any of these for me, tiny fiend.”
He was reaching for a roll, but he jerked his hand back a moment before her fork would have connected with it. Instead, the tines hit the tabletop with a sharp clink.
Cethin blinked at her before reaching for a cheese pastry. “A fork is a stabbing method we haven’t explored yet.”
She sent him a flat look. “Try to take food off my plate again, and I won’t miss next time.”
“Then you admit you missed this time?”
“No. I didn’t think showing up at the council meeting with your hand bleeding would serve either of us well,” she replied, taking a bite of the roll. “Maybe you should simply order more,” she added as she chewed.
“I have been,” he retorted. “It doesn’t seem to matter.”
She shrugged, swallowing her bite. “Perhaps if you were present at more breakfasts, that would help.”
She heard Razik’s muffled snicker, but Cethin didn’t even glare at the male. The king simply hummed, indulging in his own food.
The rest of the meal was quiet, and soon enough, she was being escorted by Razik and Cethin to the formal meeting room. Cethin had placed her circlet on her head before they left, the metal cool against her brow.
When they reached the doors, he wasted no time. Interlacing their fingers, they strode into the room side-by-side, with Razik a step behind them.
All the advisors stood, bowing at their entrance, and Cethin pulled out her chair for her before taking his seat at the head of the table to her left. There was even a chair to her right for Razik. After they were seated, the others sat once more, and she found Zayan directly across from her with the Commander next to him. The Hand of the King appeared nervous, fidgeting and mindlessly stacking papers, while the Commander’s formidable mask was in place.
She snuck a peek at Razik to find him studying his uncle, and she finally believed he didn’t know what this was about either. She’d thought he might have been pretending not to know, but she was fairly certain he was as perplexed about all this as she was.
“Thank you all for extending your stay an extra day,” Cethin started, sitting back in his chair. He was all casual, arrogant grace with one hand on the table.
Everyone around the table murmured pleasantries, some studying her and others avoiding her gaze. Except for Corveth. He was looking at her with a warm expression, almost as though he was pleased with something. As if he knew something she didn’t.
Apparently he did, because the next words Cethin spoke had her nearly falling out of her chair.
“As required, Kailia is present for the vote required to instate her fully as Queen of Avonleya,” Cethin said. “We’ve discussed this extensively for the last two days. I’ve addressed concerns, but if any new ones have come to light since we adjourned yesterday, now is the time to voice them.”
She glanced at Razik to find his gaze still locked on his uncle, something she didn’t understand passing between them. Then she turned her head to look at Cethin. He wasn’t looking at her; instead, his eyes were sliding slowly around the table, giving each person a chance to speak. He looked intimidating, butsomehow open to their commentary. As though he’d be willing to discuss it, but no one was changing his mind.
And here she was, once again wondering what had changed. What had happened that he was suddenly willing to allow her this position fully? Not in title only, but as his equal. His partner.
Sole ruler if something happened to him.
No one spoke until he got to Corveth, the young lord lacing his fingers and placing them on the table before him. “As I’ve said from the start of this conversation, I’ve witnessed her risk herself for others in my very own city. There was no hesitation. Only action and selflessness. If that doesn’t speak to what a queen should be, then I don’t know what does. I am honored to vote yes on this matter.”
Kailia felt her cheeks heat, gaze dropping to the table before she remembered to keep her chin up. Shoulders back. Spine straight.
One by one, the other advisors agreed until the last one to vote was Commander Greybane. She could swear Razik wasn’t even breathing next to her, and she couldn’t work out why. It also wasn’t her main focus as she met the Commander’s gaze.
As it always was when he interacted with her, everything about him was harsh and cold. A muscle in his jaw ticked, and he ground his molars.
“Razik spends his days with her,” the Commander finally said. “If he is in agreement to this, then his vote will count as mine.”
Razik wouldn’t look at her as he replied, “I haven’t been present for the previous discussions. Without that knowledge, I think it would be wise for you to cast your own vote, Commander.”
“Again, you spend your days with her, Razik,” Tybalt answered. “If you feel she is ready for this responsibility anddoesn’t pose a risk to our kingdom and everything that has been built over the centuries, then cast your vote on my behalf.”
