Creepy Eyes, or I guess his name is Tawv, hisses and looks at Suryn like she’s said something horrible. “You would betray your light so easily?” he demands harshly cutting her off mid question.
But any response is cut off by a twitch of the Sovereign’s hand. I watch as all the other Sentinels that are awake look at the movement like it’s a snake that’s going to strike and bite at any second.
“We will discuss this later,” Sauriel growls at his daughter. “But the Chosen Marks change how all of this must be dealt with.” He turns to me. “If you want to live, then I suggest you bow, keep your head down, and don’t speak unless directly spoken to.”
I’m taken aback by the instructions, and I look to the guys for a moment, asking with my eyes if this guy is for real. Bastien and Sabin both shrug at the same time.
I turn back to Sauriel, but something about the tension that’s now making his spine straight and his shoulders tight has me bending to get on the ground. My soul rebels against the vulnerable position this puts me and all the guys in, but I did just knock the queen bee of this hive on her ass, so maybe a little groveling will get us past that. I drop my head but keep my weight on the balls of my feet and on my palms, just in case.
I can feel the unease rise in the room and settle on the back of my neck. Everyone is utterly silent like they’re afraid to take a breath, let alone speak.
“What is the meaning of this?” a feminine voice demands, her tone even, the pitch not nearly as shrill as what I thought it would be based on what she looked like.
I’m tempted to lift my head so I can read her expression, but I keep it down like I was warned to do.
“There’s been a development with our guests,” a voice I recognize as Tawv’s states flatly.
“I assumed as much simply from the fact that their heads were still attached to their bodies after attacking your Sovereign,” she states casually.
I can tell she’s going for flippant, but I hear the bite deep in her statement.
“The female is light born, the others are all Chosen,” Sauriel provides as if the information bores him.
“Why should I care if one mutt wants to claim so many unworthy? Do you not see the state of your people, unconscious, on the ground all because of the temper tantrum of one little back dweller?”
I bristle at her statements and fight not to fist my hands in anger.Fucking bitch.
“Yes, your views on this are clear, but according to Original Law, she is a light born nonetheless. And not all of the Chosen are hers. It seems that Suryn’s light has marked several of them.”
“You lie,” the Sovereign growls out, and it’s everything I can do not to look up to see what the hell is going on.
“It’s the truth, Sovereign. My light responded and could not be stopped,” Suryn butts in.
“Then you’ll need to be purged with them,” the Sovereign declares coldly, and I hear several shocked gasps.
Oh, it’s fine when she wants to slaughter us, but threaten little Suryn and they’re nothing but outraged.
“Have you no mercy for even your own blood?” Sauriel demands at the same time Tawv supplies calmly, “You may be the Leader of the Marked, but you don’t have that authority. An independent tribunal must be called to rule on the death of a Tierit born, and you know it. It’s Original Law and cannot be deviated from. You recall the Original Laws, do you not? You only vowed to uphold them upon your ascension.”
I want to high-five Tawv.Own that hoity bitch, Creepy Eyes.
The room goes quiet, and we all hold our breath, waiting to see what will happen.
“Fine. Call a tribunal,” the Sovereign seethes. The rancor in her tone makes the hair on my arms stand up. “I have no doubt they’ll see things the way I do. Until then, keep this filth out of my sight! If they so much as look my way, Original Law won’t save them again,” she hisses, and the scrape of a chair shrieks through the quiet room.
Soft angry footsteps move away from the throne area and become fainter and fainter as they march away. Unease and resentment filter through my worry. I once again find myself either wanting to run from this place and never look back or to burn it all to the ground. What the fuck is wrong with these people?
I sit up. I’m done being on my knees for people like this. Sauriel is whispering something to his daughter, and she nods as he grabs her shoulders and pulls her in for a hug. I look away, feeling like I’m spying on something that’s none of my business. My eyes land on Tawv’s, and we just watch each other for a beat, neither of us eager to break the silence.
“A tribunal will be called tomorrow. They will hear your case and decide your fate. Until then, you are protected guests. Suryn will show you to your rooms and serve as host for the duration of your stay. You are free to travel where you’d like, with the exception of the Royal wing. And just like with any citizen of Tierit, you are not permitted to leave the boundary. Do you understand?” Tawv asks, his gaze leaving mine and flitting over everyone else in my group.
None of us say anything. He takes that as some kind of agreement and rises from his throne. Without another look or word, he exits out of the same side door he entered through.
Sauriel hugs Suryn one more time and then steps away from her. “You should rest. I will speak with you more tomorrow,” he tells her. He hesitates for a second, like he wants to say something more, but seems to decide against it and leaves instead.
Suryn watches his back until it disappears through a door. She turns her fiery gaze to Enoch, and they stare at each other. I’m waiting for her to say whatever nasty thing that’s obviously sitting on her tongue and then lead us to wherever we’re supposed to sleep tonight. I don’t even care if it’s in the royal kennels at this point, which really wouldn’t be shocking with the way these fuckers talk about us. Suryn shakes her head instead and then looks at Ory. He’s busy staring at me, which seems to piss Suryn off, and she proceeds to do her own stomping act out of the room.
I forgot Ory was even there, he’s been so quiet. His wings flex behind him once, and then he blinks, losing our staring contest.
