Page 28 of The Nymph King

“Those criminals aren’t sentenced to die. This is my decision, and I won’t entertain any discussion on the matter,” he announced with finality. “Let’s put the larger decision to a vote, though.” Everyone fell silent. Imani’s heart hammered at the way Ellisar commanded the room. At the way he’d sacrifice his life for this test.

“Hands in the air if you believe the would-be queen’s story and would see us attempt to remove the crown to prove it true?”

About half the room raised their hands, and Imani did her best to hide her surprise.

Ellisar nodded once, as if he had expected it all along. “And who would see us turn an alleged fugitive over to King Tanyl?”

The remaining hands shot into the air. “Well, it seems we are at an impasse,” Ellisar said.

It would ultimately come down to his choice. Imani held her breath as she studied him.

He leaned back in his chair, staring at her with narrowed blue eyes as he thought. Finally, he stood, and the rest of the room followed suit.

“I’ll attempt to remove the crown tomorrow at dawn.”

Then he walked out of the room without another word, still casually twirling his wand. The heavy doors closed behind him with a final, definitive thud.

CHAPTER 9

Esa and Imani didn’t speak on the way back to their rooms.

The thought of Ellisar dying at Imani’s feet made her feel queasy. His arrogance grated, but he was a good High Sentinel—a great one. He didn’t hoard his power or lord it over the people like some did. Ellisar didn’t make rash decisions without consulting others. And he would certainly give his life to protect the Norn elves.

It was as if she were back in the Ascension Assessments, watching her brethren die for no reason. But what other way was there? Imani had to think of something before tomorrow morning, and she’d stay up all night to do it. She just couldn’t let anyone else die for her, especially the High Sentinel. She thought she could, but now that the decision had been made, it was as if her body were physically rejecting it, splitting in two.

Imani rubbed her constricted chest. The sensation pressed deeper, tightening with every step, as if her own magic resisted the path laid out for her. An insistent rejection settled into her bones and wouldn’t let go. Letting Ellisar die wasn’t strategy. It wasn’t sacrifice. It was something else entirely, something her body refused to accept as necessary. The more she tried to force herself to accept it, the worse it became, like forcing breath into lungs that wouldn’t open.

As they turned the next corner, Esa caught Imani lightly by the arm and slowed her.

Ellisar stood farther down the corridor with an elderly servant beside him. The woman was small and bent with age, her gray hair pinned neatly at the nape of her neck. She held a folded stack of linens against a hip while Ellisar listened with his head inclined, all his usual severity gone from his face. So absorbed in their conversation, neither had noticed the two women walking by.

“You missed luncheon again,” the servant scolded.

“I was occupied.”

“You are always occupied.”

A weariness wrinkled his forehead. “I ate this morning.”

“That was hours ago.”

Ellisar sighed, but there was no irritation. “Fine. I’ll eat.”

“You said that yesterday.”

“And yet I survived.”

The old woman gave him a look that would have withered a lesser man.

Ellisar twisted his wand in his hand. “Yes, yes, I’ll eat.”

“Before the evening council.”

“Yes.”

Satisfied, she patted his arm once and continued down the corridor. Ellisar watched until she disappeared around the corner, then turned away in the opposite direction without ever seeing Imani or Esa.

The ache in Imani’s chest intensified.