Lord Navarre’s eyes lit up. “That does help somewhat.”
“Anyone else?” asked Elestine.
The room was silent.
“All in favor, say aye.”
Every person in the room, aside from Alastair, murmured, “Aye.”
“Thank you all so much,” said Scarlett, her shoulders relaxing. If they’d all been against the idea, she didn’t know what she would have done.
“There’s no thanks necessary,” said Lord Bombardier. “If this is all true—and I believe what you’ve told us—the integrity of the senate and the future of Soleil are at risk, and we must act accordingly. We should be thanking you for taking this risk.”
There were murmurs of agreement from the rest of the room.
“Before we disperse,” said Elestine, “let’s discuss how to handle the National Theater situation.”
Lord Navarre frowned. “Lady Ashworth will be trying to resurrect her old proposal to make violent magic a capitaloffense.”
Scarlett’s stomach clenched.
“Exactly,” said Elestine. “She’ll want to use this to her advantage, and she might have some votes swing her way, given it’s an election year. However, the damage control Scarlett did with the press yesterday will shift public opinion, so today’s strategy is to prevent a vote.”
“May I ask a question?”
Heads swiveled to Alastair in the corner. Scarlett narrowed her eyes, and several lords looked like they’d only just noticed he was there.
Elestine’s mouth was drawn in a tight line. “Go ahead.”
“Forgive me, but are youallcondoning what Lord Maddox did?” asked Alastair.
Elestine sighed. “The Cerulean platform is against outsized punishments for magic. The punishment should be tied to the crime—assault, murder, damage to property. All of those have wildly different categories within the law, particularly if there’s a case for self-defense. Lord Maddox believed he was fighting for Lady Heroux’s life, as well as his own.”
“But he burned down the entire lobby—”
“Is my life less important than a lobby?” Scarlett’s voice overrode Alastair’s. “Property can be replaced, and I’ve offered to fund the repairs.”
Alastair opened his mouth to reply, but Elestine put up a hand to silence him. “Because he had no other choice. Wouldn’t any of us have done the same if our family were at risk?”
“I would’ve done the same, I reckon,” said Otis.
“Absolutely,” agreed Lord Mayweather. “If I had fire magic and balls as big as Lord Maddox’s, I’d do the same.” His elegant diction made the brash comment sound somehow refined.
Scarlett smiled in surprise as the men around her chuckled. Alastair’s expression was stony as he stared at his computer.
Elestine suppressed a smile. “Glad to know we’re all onside. Alastair, to bring this full circle for you, the Goldenrod desire to label violent magic a capital offense is political grandstanding to their base. They’d put Lord Maddox away for using fire magic to light a candle. It’s unreasonable. Does that answer your question?” Her authoritative tone said he’d better be done asking questions.
“Yes.” Alastair’s cheeks were tinged pink.
Scarlett wrinkled her nose, certain that if she’d spoken those words instead of Elestine, she’d be seeing black smoke above Alastair’s head.
“He looks like a reprimanded child,” said Nori.
The meeting ended, and the peers left Elestine’s office. When it was just her, Scarlett, and Cass left, Scarlett gestured for Cass to come closer. They sat opposite Elestine at her desk.
“My bodyguard, Cass, is going to head up the break-in tonight,” said Scarlett. “Do you have any questions for her?”
Elestine’s eyebrows drew together. “Why in the world would you go without protection? Wasn’t there anyone else available to help?”
