Page 157 of The Fifth Heir

“You used what I told you.”

“We used firsthand evidence from a chosen heir.”

“Without telling me it would shape the test.”

Father met my gaze. “Would you have refused?”

I wanted to say yes.

The honest answer came more slowly.

Before the demonstration, I believed the question needed to be answered. I still did. Talia’s ability to affect four elemental powers changed the structure of the Trials and possibly the succession itself.

I would have cooperated with a legitimate examination.

I might even have accepted simultaneous exposure if the safety controls were sound.

That was the reason I had remained silent after the notice appeared.

I had known where the wording came from. I did not know the return lines were reversed, but I knew Talia was walking into a test built from information I provided.

I had told myself the distinction mattered.

It did not matter enough.

“I would have warned her,” I said.

“And caused her to refuse?”

“She didn’t refuse after identifying the flawed repair herself.”

“No. She entered the circle despite her concerns.”

“Because every person in that Hall was waiting for her to prove she belonged there.”

“That was her choice.”

“It was a choice made under public pressure your petition created.”

One of the advisers closed the construction report.

“The relevant question now is whether the fifth heir should remain active while the attack is investigated.”

I turned toward him. “The relevant question is who reversed the channels.”

“Both questions matter.”

“Not equally.”

Talia was not a theoretical risk to be balanced against political stability. She was in the infirmary because someone had aimed four elemental channels at her. The council’s refusal to distinguish those facts was a choice, not caution.

“Talia demonstrated the ability to manipulate four elements. The mechanism may have failed, but the result established that she can draw power from the other heirs.”

“She redirected it.”

“She held it.”

“Long enough to prevent the containment barrier from breaking.”