Uncle Fraser snorted. “Well, at least one Alpha is forgiven for being stupid.” He gave a half shrug when people focused on him. “I said stupid things in my grief as well. I was raised to be Rhys’s replacement and people kept referring to Sagan as a child. I wasn’t vying for power; it was more…”
Panic. It hit me hard. He was truly a bit panicked that he might have to be in charge for a while and hold control until I could.
Maybe.
Possibly.
Orthat was how he was trying to settle his own bad behavior now.
I would file it away as a bit of both. Even Father said Fraser was selfish, but he never blamed his younger brother because he’d suffered a lot as well. I could give him this pass and move forward.
Hopefully.
The sentiment spread though and all the Alphas confirmed me, none willing to go against the others. Only a few seemed reluctant, so that was better than I’d hoped.
“Any objections?” I chuckled darkly as I met Hardin’s gaze, egging him on to open his mouth. I saw retribution in his eyes and didn’t hide that I was gloating. “Good. Now on to a few rules going forward.”
I stood because I needed to keep things lighter than I felt. I even moved to the front of the table and then decided to move around the room for my own sanity.
“None of us wanted this. None of us was ready for this,” I said honestly. “The main reason I agreed to this meeting during mourning was so we could just address that openly. I’m not ready.” I snorted when the tension shot up. “I’m not.” I met my family’s worried faces. “It’s not going to change the reality we’re in by lying.
“I’m better prepared than they think. I knowmorethan they think. I wasn’t learning underwater basket weaving like some of the rumors. I was learning what I should and making needed alliances.” I gestured to Treena who dipped her head in acknowledgement. “It was astrongmessage that the future of Thovudin is secure with the attendees to the funeral.
“It went off without a hitch.” I gave them a moment to let that sink in. “Besides three of you, these are the founding families of our nation, and this is the time to remember that and we will need to worktogether. You will not be the only ones to undermine me or make wrong assumptions.” I turned to face them again. “Which is why I won’t lie to you.
“I’m not ready. This wasn’t how things were supposed to happen. This wasn’t the plan.” My voice cracked and I took a moment. “I meant what I said that I will keep to the rules and traditions of my parents as much as possible.However, thisnonsense of throwing in my face ‘your father didn’t’ ends. Or parents—mother—any of it.
“It’s done. Not again. Not withoutproofor something to back it up and with reason.” I stared them down and then the elders. “We arenothaving such an abusive, toxic relationship that—we’re just not.” I leaned against the table and glanced around. “Or the burns on your arms will be nothing compared to the wrath you receive from me.
“Because, by the gods, I willnotfail in the task before me nor disappoint my parents where they sit next to the gods. You have my royal vow on that, and I don’t care if I have to go through you or your entire family to do what I must. I will and not bat an eyelash.Nothingmeans more to me than my duty to my family and this nation. Nothing.
“Not your feelings. Not your selfishness, not your—nothing.” Again I paused. I let out a slow breath. “But no, I’m not readyandthere have been major problems already. So we work together and move forward or go hide in your areas and stay out of my way.” I jumped when a few cheered, glad it was better received than I’d thought.
Andthenthey all verbally confirmed they agreed to officially kick the elders out of the castle. That broke another elder and he blasted me that it went against tradition and I would anger the gods.
I held up a finger to the guards who were about to drag him away. “What have you actually done since my parents died to help the royal family or this nation?”
The room went silent and several of the elders shared looks.
I snorted and stood, picking up my phone and wiggling it. “While you and the others wereactively workingagainst me and the royal family, who you are charged with advising to thebest ofyour abilities, plotting to blackmail me into several matings you would use like pawns and then groom the future king as you—”
“That’s not how things were, nor—” he interrupted, shutting his mouth when several of the Alphas started chuffing. Interrupting any member of the royal family was a huge faux pas, much less the leader.
“Iwas speaking with leaders of other countries who would never take your call, you don’t know the numbers of, and have never met,” I continued. “The elder advising system isoutdatedwhich is why most nations have done away with it. Mostly the ones you keep advising we not be closer allies with.”
“I never made that correlation,” Uncle Fraser muttered.
“We did,” I said, gesturing between Treena and myself. “There’s no reason we’re not closer allies with Bodach. There hasn’t been a war between us in hundreds of years, but right before King Taryn took over, there was some ‘dispute’ and tensions that had no real explanation.”
“Which was right about the time we did away with having corrupt elders whisper in Grandfather’s ear all the time because communication was so much easier,” Treena confirmed. “All the back door deals between different elders from other countries—they kept each other in their positions—”
“If you go against my orders for silence and speak ill of my advisor and heir to another country’s throne in an official meeting, you will lose more than your position,” I warned a different elder when he opened his mouth. “Stop testing me.” I adjusted my neck when he pressed his lips together and looked at Treena. “I apologize you have seen this side of my people.”
She sighed. “Every new leader has to clean house. I’m sure I’ll have to do the same. The snakes come out for power. I’m sorry you’re suffering this while dealing with grief no one should ever have to, my friend.” She looked to my uncle. “Sagan andI looked into it more when she visited a few summers ago. We found proof of one of our elders…”
“That was why Rhys had such a change of heart and suddenly shut down all the advice on Bodach,” he whispered, glancing at me. “Only what you told him would he trust. He said it time and time again.”
Now I was the shocked one. “He never told me he had such faith in what we found, simply it was interesting and explained some things.”
