The guards march in step as they lead Tawv and Sauriel in before the Sovereign this time. I realize, as I watch them walk up to their thrones, that no one ever introduces them with a title. They’re clearly important as they’re part of this Quorum of leadership, but I have no idea what they really do. Are they the checks and balances to the Sovereign? I think about that for a minute and decide that it seems about right from what I’ve witnessed so far.
There seems to be an extra show of force around the Sovereign today, and I tense, wondering if it’s because she’s expecting trouble or about to cause it.
Her dress is light pink, but her deathly pale pallor and bright white hair make her look washed out regardless of what color she’s wearing. It once again has slits, which Sentinels here seem to be a big fan of, and the material is very thin. It’s not see through but pretty damn close. Put this chick in front of a sunny window, and you could probably count her pubes.
She glides up the stairs to her throne and reaches up to touch her crown, like she’s making sure it’s still there, as she sits. Suryn comes through the side door next, and I choke when I see that she’s in a wispy barely there dress too. I’ve only seen her in the black armored clothing that all my guys and I are now rocking, and it shocks the fuck out of me to see her looking so completely different.
Ory saunters in behind her, and they both take their place on the opposite side of the room from where the tribunal is standing. A boom resonates around the room as the side door is closed. The loud noise slowly settles, and we all wait for the Sovereign to speak. She takes her time like she’s in no rush, or more likely she just likes to make it clear who’s in control here.
An image of the man from the hallway thrusting into her mouth so hard and so deep that tears streamed down her face as she gagged, fills my mind. I blink and mentally shove it the fuck away.Ugh.
“I have been informed the tribunal has come to a decision, is that correct?” the Sovereign asks.
She looks over at them, her focus honed in on Mote and Port specifically.
“Yes,” Naree announces with a nod.
The Sovereign and she stare at each other for a moment before the ruler of the Sentinels irritably asks, “Well, what is it then?”
“We unanimously rule against the order of death,” Naree declares, and the Sovereign narrows her eyes.
The decision rings in my ears, and I’m beyond stunned. I know Enoch said that Sauriel thought this would go in our favor, but I thought for sure we were going to be fucked. My breaths become short, and I have to focus on pulling enough air in.
“Unanimously?” the Sovereign questions.
“Yes, unanimously,” Naree answers.
“Very well then, I dismiss you from your service on the tribunal and will lay the responsibility at your feet if this decision proves as catastrophic as I suspect it will be.”
“Sovereign Finella, that is uncalled for,” Tawv admonishes, and she turns her glare on him.
“No, what is uncalled for is your putting the people of Tierit at risk for your own political gain,” she volleys.
Tawv laughs. “Are you addled? Exactly what would I do with any level of political gain? I am not the next in line. Or rather, the one whose grip is slipping from the crown. I upheld the laws as they are written. The tribunal has made their decision based off of facts and reason, which I dare say will serve the people much better than decisions based off of insecurity and fear. She is a powerful Lost Sentinel that’s come home, andweneed her.”
“Damn,” I hear Knox whisper behind me, and I couldn’t agree more.
Note to self, fist bump that creepy eyed hero of a male later for the verbal bitch slap he just delivered to the Sovereign.
“How dare you,” she hisses at him, shoving out of her throne to tower over him, her pale skin getting redder by the moment.
“No. How dareyou,” he growls back, rising from his throne and forcing her to look up at him.
Our eyes bounce from the Sovereign to Tawv, waiting to see who will say something next. The whole room seems to hold their breath.Is this it?I think as I survey the room. Is this where she goes full tyrant and tries to slaughter us all? It sure fucking feels like it’s headed in that direction. Tension fills my every cell. My magic is ready to call on whatever I may need in a fight, but I calm my bloodlust. We all just watch and wait.
I’m surprised when the Sovereign turns and storms out of the room. The large door slams behind her, and the guards scramble to follow after her hasty retreat.
“Awkward,” Bastien singsongs quietly behind me, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.
I shake the tension and need for action out of my limbs and listen to the Sovereign’s angry footsteps on the other side of the door. I swear I can hear theyou haven’t seen the last of mevow in the rhythm of her departure.
“Tribunal,” Tawv’s warm voice breaks the uncomfortable silence. “We thank you for your service and dismiss you back to your lives.”
Naree, Mote, Port, and Wella give him a nod and then surprisingly look over at me and place their fists over their biceps. Shock strikes through me, and judging by the gasps that ring out through the room, I’m not the only one. None of them wait for me to respond in any way before they turn and head out the front doors. I watch them go, conflicted by what the hell just happened.
I turn forward, my questioning gaze in search of Tawv, but I find Suryn instead. She stares daggers at me, every inch of her radiating fury, and it sends prickles of warning all over my body. Ory steps into my line of sight and whispers something to her. I can’t tell what he says, but whatever it is, it’s enough to snap her out of our little staring contest. Suryn nods her head once at Ory, and then they both rush off exactly like the Sovereign just did.
“Well, that was fun,” Valen quips. “Raise your hand if you’re in favor of getting the fuck out of this place before they change their minds.”
