Motherfucker.
I wanted to claw at his face and pull out his hair.
Haward interjected, “You still have a chance. You could always marry King Mattock and join your Corridors.”
My cousin wasn’t even trying to steal my crown...He just wanted to see me leashed.
Emmerick tilted his head, but his gaze…it was predatory. The golden shimmer to his irises faded to dark depths.
This was all that I’d feared.
I scanned him, trying and failing to find the symbol. “I will not marry the man who stands here now. If it’s hostility you want, prepare to fight me every step of the way. You know better than anyone that I will go down in flames with my Corridor—kicking, screaming,burning. I willneverhand it to anyone. Not even you, King Mattock, and certainly not you.” I pointed at my traitorous cousin.
Barden lingered nervously behind Haward. All other conversations had stopped in the room.
No matter how hard I pushed and tried to break through to Emmerick’s mind, I could not. All that I could feel was a cold, hard wall. The other rulers’ feelings trickled in.
King and Queen Nadiars’ discomfort was palpable—a dull taste on my tongue.
King Haag Bringham was amused.“Boy, she really knows how to throw a fit.”His condescension tickled my throat like an allergic reaction.
Sheffield felt helpless—the poor man had just wanted to host apeacefulnegotiation session.“Oh dear, maybe we are not ready for such negotiations.”
My advisors and Darvanda stared at the scene I’d created.
Asterie’s thoughts bled into my mind.“There is something wrong with him.”
Drawing in a deep breath, I stared at Emmerick. He stood with his hand on his sword like he might use it, looking down at me with that dark, mile-deep stare.
“Please step back...”Krait’s thought entered my mind. Uninvited.
I didn’t want to stand down.
“We won’t convince any of them if we cause trouble.”
He was right.
I fucking hated that he was right. We wouldn’t be able to make any headway with the other rulers if we didn’t play this right, but all I saw was red. I stepped away from my lost friend.
Turning to Sheffield, I said, “I apologize for the disturbance, King Sheffield. Next time King Mattock and I will resolve our conflicts privately. In the meantime, my word and the words of my advisors arelawin the Central Corridor. I don’t care what was written in the Order. It has been abolished.”
King Sheffield nodded reassuringly, but he was not who I was worried about.
When I heard the rumble of Krait’s voice, it came as a relief. “Will we be discussing ‘concessions and decisions’ pertaining to the list of Sahlmsarans who still await reentry into the Corridors today?”
I returned to Krait’s side.
Sheffield glanced nervously at King Mattock and King Bringham.
Queen Nadiar nudged King Nadiar who said, “The East Corridor requests that we postpone those discussions until all leaders of the Corridors agree upon terms.”
Krait let out an impatient growl. “If there will be no negotiations, or trials, then we will be leaving. But not without a reminder.” Krait stared down Emmerick and Bringham as he spoke. “To wage war on Queen Wymark is to wage war on the Sahlms. My Warhorses have already cut down the North’s previous attempt to bring Death upon her Corridor. That battle was child’s play.”
The way Krait turned his attention back to me and extended his hand heated something inside me. I didn’t know if I’d ever had that reaction to someone speaking on my behalf before. Usually, I’d have scoffed at it.
I’d never allowed another soul to speak for my Corridor.
He had defended my rule.
