Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
MERI
D éjà vu. Are all council meetings the same? This one kind of makes me sad, though. I miss Solandis sitting regally in the front, silently cheering me on. My heels click on the stone floor as I stride into the chamber and take the black chair at the front that’s obviously meant for Madoc.
Conversations cease. I smile.
“Are there protocols here? Roll call?” I ask the lord standing closest to me.
He sputters for a second.
Lord Autumn makes a furious sound and pushes him out of the way. “This is a council meeting.”
I hand the prick Madoc’s note. “Yes, I know. I’ll be sitting in for Madoc today.” Several smirk, as if I’m a joke, but I stare them down. “I’ve done this before, remember? Let’s get started.”
They turn toward Lord Edsel, whose face is pale. “This is outlandish. I’m going to find Madoc and remind him we’re his council and this is an important meeting.”
I take the note from him and pass it along to the serious-looking gentleman in the back. While he reads it, I return to the asshole standing in front of me.
“The meeting is starting. Leave or stay. It’s up to you, but today, I hold this seat,” I inform him, emphasizing each word so he knows I’m serious. “And Edsel, I suggest you call him King Madoc when you see him. Show him respect and he might kill you quickly.”
Sputtering, the Lord of Autumn storms out of the room.
“So, roll call or no?”
The gentleman in the back stands. “I’m Lord Avi of the Woods. The fourteen of us have been on the council for the entire time Denir reigned. There hasn’t been a need for formal protocols.”
I smile at him. “Thank you, Lord Avi. Let’s jump in then. The Federation for Fae Rights and Independence declared war. Thoughts?” I want to hear what they say first.
He shakes his head. “My land borders the Wilds. Letting this kingdom fall would be a catastrophe. I don’t like the thought of war, but it might be necessary.”
Another brash man stands up. “I fought in the last war. It was brutal, but I refuse to let the Lesser Fae dictate to me.”
One by one, they all advocate for war based on one reason or another.
I frown. “What about their rights? Or independence?”
“It depends on what they want,” they reply. “If we know specifics, we can determine how to proceed.”
“How about the same rights and freedoms you have?” I probe.
Almost all of them shake their heads no. Only Lord Avi is willing to consider it.
I stand. “Okay, I think we’re done.”
“We haven’t talked about the terms we’re willing to offer them,” one of the council members sputters.
“If you can’t offer them the same rights and freedoms you enjoy, then you’re willing to accept war. I recommend you go home and kiss your families goodbye,” I urge them, walking toward the door.
A bewildered expression crosses their faces. “Why?”
“If you’re advocating war, we need every soldier we can get. Being on the council has given you leadership skills that could be useful on the battlefield,” I explain with a sweet smile. “I’ll let King Madoc know your decision.”
They begin shouting as I walk out the door.
Madoc’s in the bright sunny courtyard talking to one of his soldiers when I find him. For once, he isn’t wearing a scowl.
“Meri, this is General Beld. He leads our army,” Madoc says, introducing the fierce-looking barrel of a man standing beside him.
At the word “our”, the general straightens and bows. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Meri.”
Madoc scowls at the man, and he looks startled.
“We haven’t established titles yet,” I explain to ease his worry. “I was a little worried about the army, but you seem quite capable.”
Madoc gestures to the soldier. “Two thousand highly trained soldiers, according to the general. Thankfully, Denir was quite paranoid. Only the best are selected to serve, and training has remained a top priority.” He turns and points behind the palace. “We even have an aerial unit comprised of air elementals, avian Fae, and a few others, though most of the Phoenix and Fire Drakes have left. Rivan’s assessing their capabilities.”
“That’s good news,” I state firmly. “I informed the council today that they’ll be joining the army. My apologies, General Beld, as I’m sure they won’t be up to your usual standards, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find a place for them. I think there are fourteen of them.”
Madoc shakes his head. “Thirteen.”
I guess Lord Autumn was stupid enough to approach Madoc. “Thirteen. If they don’t report for duty, please let us know.”
General Beld’s stoic face slackens for a second, but he lifts his chin and salutes Madoc, then returns to his men.
Folding his arms across his chest, he peers down at me. “What happened?”
“They all thought war was the only answer and were ready to dictate terms for their surrender or a peace treaty,” I tell him. “None of them would consider rights except for Lord Avi. So, I told them every Fae would be needed and they should go home and kiss their families goodbye.”
Madoc grunts. “If this war happens, we will need them.”
I lean against him. “Is Lord Edsel still alive?”
“Barely, but he’s been removed from all duties, and his title stripped from him,” he announces in a hard tone. “I need to take a trip to speak to the soldiers under his command and move them here. Will you be all right while I’m gone?”
“Who are you taking with you?” I ask, biting my lip.
“General Beld and a couple of platoons,” he states with a wry twist of his mouth. “Does that meet with your approval?”
“Mm, yes, thank you,” I reply, lifting my face toward his. “Can I get my goodbye kiss?”
His mouth descends and takes mine in the sweetest of kisses until I’m practically melting into a pile of goo. “Bye. Stay close to Cormal or Rivan. I don’t trust anyone else.”
“Good. I don’t trust anyone here either,” I pertly inform him. “Be careful. Keep your shield up.” Not once have I forgotten since I got here.
I leave him and cross the courtyard to the rear of the palace to find Rivan. As I turn the corner, I watch him shake hands with a tall female, then walk away.
He meets me halfway. “Is everything okay?”
I give him the highlights of the council meeting and Edsel’s fall from grace.
“Why are they so determined to hold on to the old ways? We have talented Fae out there who don’t hold titles who could bring so much to this kingdom. The one thing I did like about the light Fae was Meira,” he admits. “It gave everyone a glimpse into the future we could have if we got rid of the old prejudices.”
“You are Fire Fae. This was your war once,” I gently remind him. “Think back to the things you wanted. Two hundred years is a long time to fight. Those things must have been important to you. I’m sure the Fire Fae haven’t changed much over the years.”
“Madoc knows what they want,” he says, his voice full of frustration.
“Knowing and living it are two different things. Madoc was already in The Below when the last war started; he doesn’t have the context you have,” I state. “Plus, he’s the king, and his first priority is protecting his people and the kingdom. If you think there is a better solution than war, you need to find it fast.”