Page 116 of Ruling the Green

Didn’t act on it.

Because if my father got wind of that, he would have sent in the military to torture and drag those women back to work camps. And Mendalyn to the dungeons.

It was another bit of proof that he was telling the truth.

“He didn’t stop Cass from drinking the Stillwater I put in his wine,” Serin added.

“It was a solid plan,” Tove said. “Especially after Grimwood collapsed. Grimwood, who was the frontrunner for the one to take control of the throne. He’s been lobbying hard against the other wealthy and powerful families. If both Grimwood and Cass are out of commission, the other families will be scrambling and fighting. It gives you the chance you need to take control.”

“But Stillwater won’t last forever,” Serin said.

“How long?” I asked.

There was a talk to be had about steeping poisons, about keeping it from me. But now was not the time. And never in front of someone else. If we were going to take the throne, we had to be a stable, united front.

“The redcaps are starting to stir,” she said. “But the poison I gave Grimwood and your father steeped for longer. And they each had a lot more. I can’t say for sure, but I think you have a few days at least.”

My gaze slid to Tove.

“It’s not long. But it could be long enough if your plan is solid enough.”

I looked to Mendalyn next.

“It can be done. Once you have the rioting outside the palace contained and take the throne without objection from the people, the other families will fall in line and pledge their loyalty.”

“They will continue to be a threat,” Tove added. “But that is nothing new. It’s part of leadership. The best thing you can do is have your people behind you. Then the powerful families will be more skittish.”

“Or,” Serin said, making everyone turn to look at her.

“Or?” I asked.

“No, never mind.”

“No, tell me. I’ve clearly been underutilizing you. What is your idea?”

“Get ahead of it,” she said.

“How do you propose that?” Tove asked.

But Serin ignored them, focused on me.

“Send the military to round up known threats to the throne. The men like Grimwood. And the agitators outside. Not all of them. Just a few to make an example of.”

“Imprisoning them will only fuel resistance,” Tove said.

“No. Not imprison,” Serin said. “You line them up. And you take something from them,” she said, looking at me, knowing how I felt about using that power. “Not all of it. Just a chip. Enough to feel it.”

“And?” I prompted. “And you tell them that they can earn it back by proving their loyalty. And you do this in public.”

“What am I missing here?” Tove asked.

I glanced at Serin, something spreading warm and bright through my chest.

“I think you just heard Serin show herself to be an extremely capable Unseelie Queen.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Serin