52. Come Together #2
“I am Jannus the Halfling,” he said flatly.
“The rumors of my blood heritage are true, the myths are not. I was raised through the ranks with Melek and we have fought side by side for decades. I came here to bring him back to our people if he was alive, and to avenge his death if he was not. He is the true and rightful ruler of the Nephilim, and I will apply every ounce of my influence and skill to place him on the throne. If you recognize his strength and integrity and crown him your King also, you’re smarter than I thought. ”
I was touched, but winced at the implied insult at the end. But to my relief, Jhonas spoke up next, reiterating what his sister had told the table. Then Hever introduced himself in his crumbling rot of a voice.
Then, one by one, each of the remaining men did the same. At the end, they all eyed each other, still wary, but with begrudging respect.
“As you can see, there’s no one here who has not earned their place at this table,” I said quickly, before anyone got itchy and took a cheap shot. “So… Yilan, I think it’s time to explain your proposal so we can brainstorm the best and safest way forward…”
“…We understood it would require her presence among the Nephilim, but what you describe is returning her as a Prisoner of War!” Turo growled, his fist clenched on the table.
“It was my idea, Turo,” Yilan sighed. “And while I would appear to be a Prisoner, that’s only to ensure no one among the Nephilim is distracted from Melek’s run for the crown—and to give us both cover as I assist him in the shadows.
In their eyes, my presence would be proof of his strength and cunning—which makes them less likely to challenge him, while in the cover of night, I will be hunting and removing threats, not putting myself in their hands. ”
“You hope,” Jhonas argued, though more calmly than Turo had.
“Your Majesty, what you’re describing involves a great deal of risk—to both of you.
If your subterfuge was found out, it would undermine Melek in their eyes, and my understanding is that the Nephilim’s response to that kind of trickery would be swift and brutal. ”
When he met my eyes with the question there, I nodded reluctantly. “It’s true—but don’t forget that your Queen and I have already successfully deceived my people in this way in the past.”
“Barely!” Turo insisted. “We were fleeing at the end.”
“I was not,” I reminded him sharply. “Though I do take your point.”
The discussion devolved then and I was left exhausted and frustrated as opposing arguments circled the table, the Nephilim insisting that they would help us cover, while the Shadekin pointed out that this entire plan could be a ruse to simply walk out of Theynor with Yilan a prisoner.
“I would never do that to my mate,” I snarled when that accusation was finally given voice.
“You’re proposing to do exactly that!” Turo protested. “What if your intentions are good, but your brothers are only choosing to play along until they have both of you through the Shadows of Shade and out from under our eyes? What then?!”
“We are loyal—we came to bring Melek to lead, not to deceive him!”
“So you say—”
“I have had enough of this,” Jann growled.
“Jann, stop,” I muttered.
Yilan pushed to her feet, raising her hands to silence everyone, and to my relief, the men did stop barking, but they all turned to her with wary, cautious eyes .
“Please,” she said calmly. “I know this is uncomfortable—for all of us. But we are here to work together.”
“Then perhaps you should remind your servants that we Nephilim are not mindless predators, and that they sit in the presence of the highest ranking officers of the Nephilim nation.” He cut a disdainful look at Diadre then.
“We are not novelties. We are not beasts. We came to negotiate, but we can’t do that with people who refuse to believe we are even capable of self-restraint. ”
“And perhaps the Neph should take his own advice,” Diadre spat. “Novelties? I earned my stripes, Captain. Did you?”
“Without question,” he bit back.
“Then either have respect for the fact that I have done the same, or meet me outside. I am happy to show you my talents and put you in the dirt in front of your friends if that’s what it will take to shut you up.”
I dropped my face into my hand when my brothers laughed. They tried to cover it, and quieted quickly. But the damage was done.
Yilan bristled on Diadre’s behalf. “Is this the best of the Nephilim warriors?” she asked quietly.
“Is this what you believe commands respect? Because the arrogance you show will not serve any of us in this endeavor. Be very, very careful about underestimating any enemy lest you find yourselves eating your words.”
“Who underestimated whom?” Drek spoke up sharply. “We walk into a room full of men and women who see nothing but brainless thugs and you caution us to think twice?”
It hit me then that the only person in this room truly tied to both sides of this debate was me. And that meant I had to be the one to bring them all together.
“All of you, stop,” I said quietly, putting every ounce of authority and strength behind the words that I had learned in my forty-two years.
I stood to draw every eye, and break off the words forming on their tongues.
Then I eyed each of my brothers first. “You came to call me to the crown. I’m grateful.
And humbled. I am answering that call, and will not let you down. ”
Then I shifted my attention to the Shadekin.
“And you recognize that I am divinely appointed to rule. A crown I accept reluctantly—I have never sought that kind of power—but our hearts and minds are in alignment. My mate is precious and must be protected. And this land, these people, are her treasure. I will stand in the breech for them.”
I took a deep breath, infusing every word that followed with the conviction of my soul.
“I understand why you are all suspicious of each other, but I am here to tell you, I alone have stood alongside both peoples here—and both have honor. Both have strength. Both are worth saving. I will do everything in my power to keep both safe. And to my mind, that means avoiding war at all costs.
“I, of all people, can prove my worth on the battlefield. And I am sick of the glut of blood and death—are you? I would challenge any one of you to meet me in combat. I know I will win. But I want to use that strength for you, not against you.”
An uneasy shifting rippled around the table.
“If you can learn to trust each other—and me—we can win this. Together. We can walk away from what’s to come without great casualty on either side.
Yilan and I will rule both nations together.
Nations that will walk into the future allied.
Safe. Prosperous. There will be no further need for war on the Continent.
No further need for suspicion and back-biting.
We can herald a new age. But it must start here.
Right here, right now. These people at this table.
These minds. These hearts. This collective strength.
” I looked at Yilan, aching, praying they’d hear me as she was.
I could feel her admiration and hope pouring through the bond.
“If Yilan and I have learned anything, it is that unless we walk into this as one, we will fail. And if my mate and I fail, none of you will be safe. If you remain here today, you do so as one people—one nation. One goal. If you can’t do that, walk out of that door and return to the people you choose.
We will achieve this without you. Because you were brought here to work as part of a team to literally save the world. So, tell me. Each of you. Are you in?”
The room was silent.
Yilan leaned forward watching her people and mine, her breath shallow. I could feel her tension in the bond—and her delight. But even though she loved my words, she recognized, as I did, it meant nothing if the people at this table couldn’t catch the vision and start to work together.
“I’m in,” Diadre said first. Then she turned to stare down Jann with a challenge in her eyes .
Jann huffed, but though his eyes glinted, he turned to me as well. “Me too,” he said, shaking his head and smiling. “God help us all, you’re right. Let’s do this.”
I breathed easier when Turo nodded his agreement and sat back in his seat. “I do not like what is proposed, and will fight to make certain our Queen is kept safe. But I am in. The vision you hold for the future… yes. I will fight for that.”
I sat down as, one by one, every man openly acknowledged his commitment. Yilan grasped my hand under the table, sliding her fingers between mine. I squeezed her little fingers tightly, but neither of us gave away the contact as the first step was finally taken in that cold, drafty room.
It was a victory at last. A small victory, and an uneasy one. But victory, nonetheless.
Thank you, God.