Chapter 78 Zadyn #2
“First order of business.” Gronwen pulls a few documents from a pile. “These licenses must be signed, since the two of you were not married before the eyes of the gods and the people. Without these, your marriage is as good as a sham.”
“It’s far from a sham, let me tell you.” Eaton snickers.
“I mean no offense, Highness. But the marriage needs be legitimized. Sign here and choose a witness to sign below.”
Eaton whistles and snaps his fingers at me. “Rhodesie.”
I come around the table, taking the fountain pen and sprawling my name on the line.
“Sweet of you to give me away, darling.” He ruffles my hair, and I shake him off to take my seat by Serena. Jace watches us from beside Gronwen, looking moderately uncomfortable.
“I trust you performed the Bloodfast as agreed upon last night.”
“Yes, we did.”
“And the results?”
“As you’d expect, though, if you’re looking for a demonstration, it might have to wait until after the meeting.”
“Noted. Onto other matters,” Gronwen drones. “The coronation.”
“We should do it as soon as possible. Before Kylian arrives.” All eyes shift to Sorscha. It was rare for her to attend meetings when Derek was alive, let alone for her to speak up. “I think it would be best to present a unified front.”
Eaton smiles at her with pride.
“I’ll make the arrangements for next week and have the announcement sent. That should give the nobles in the south time to travel from their estates,” Lord Conwell says.
“The public will also need to be informed of the changes made to the late king’s succession,” the High Priest adds. “Although word has likely spread after last night’s celebration.”
He says it like it’s a dirty word.
“We tell the public the truth. That Sorscha and I discovered we were mates, and the rest is history,” Eaton declares.
“I understand that you are mates. Forgive my saying so, but the late king was very clear in his choice for a successor.” Gronwen’s gaze shifts to Jace.
“We have been left with little choice but to accept this union, lest we upset the entire line of succession to carry out his wishes and in doing so, turn our own people against us. I want to make sure you understand the implications that come with this alliance. Are you prepared for this? The people will look to you as they would to him, and as a second son, I’m not sure that you’re suited to the role. ”
“More suited than he is.” Eaton nods toward Jace. “Never got to compliment you on your right hook, by the way.”
He tips his head in thanks, eyes murderous as he drums his fingers on the table.
“That may be. However, as Derek was a close personal friend, the responsibility falls on me to make sure his kingdom and his only daughter are protected.”
“Lord Gronwen, I appreciate the concern, and while I understand this may not have been my father’s wish, I do believe he would have been pleased with my mate and my choice to put him on the throne beside me.
Eaton is a prince in his own right, and with the help of the council, of course, he and I intend to rule with the grace, wisdom, and integrity that my father was so well known for. ”
Everyone stares as she lifts her chin a degree higher. Gronwen draws up his spine.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Eaton beams. “And to answer your previous question—I am up for the challenge. We both are.” His fingers thread through Sorscha’s—a united front.
“While we’re on the topic of choices, Sorscha and I have been discussing the kind of leaders we want to be.
We plan to do things differently. None of this court posturing and stiff council bullshit. ”
“The council is a fixture. We were Derek’s most trusted advisors.”
“We don’t intend to dissolve it. But it is important to both of us that we have people we trust, people who would go into hell for us. Right, angel? And the people in this room have all proved themselves. The ones I know, at least.”
I hang my head.
Eaton, this is not the place for rash decisions.
“That being said, Sorscha and I would like to appoint some new positions to the council. Starting with Zadyn. Hand of the King. And Queen.”
My eyes bulge. “Jace is Hand. Really, I don’t want—”
“Too bad, it’s done. Serena—Dragon Rider—enough said. Meredith…Temperance Advisor? Mistress of Witch Operations? We’ll think of something. Kai, Master of Persuasion. Dover—Assistant to the Master of Persuasion.”
“I think we might need to finesse these titles later,” Dover mutters to Mar.
“None of those are actual positions.” Gronwen seethes, red splotches creeping over every inch of his ivory skin.
“They are now!” Eaton holds out his arms.
“A council must retain a High Priest, a Head of Records and Coin,” the High Priest says in his paper-frail voice.
Sorscha nudges her husband.
“Fine. The two of you can stay,” Eaton decides. “But this one’s becoming a real sourpuss and, quite frankly, dragging the whole mood down.” He points at Gronwen.
“This is an outrage!” Gronwen slams his fist against the table.
I leap to my feet. “As your unwilling Hand, my first piece of advice is to keep Gronwen on. He’s been a fixture at court and on this council for a long time. He’s experienced. Derek trusted him.”
“Fine. He can stay. If he promises not to be a stick in the mud.”
I toss Gronwen a pleading look for the sake of peacekeeping. Beside me, Serena is fucking convulsing, her hand over her mouth, trying to keep her laughter at bay.
You’re not helping, I snap.
Oh, this is all you, she responds through her fit.
“Fine. I agree not to be…a stick in the mud,” Gronwen grits, each word begrudging.
“Fantastic, then welcome to Queen Sorscha’s small council.”
“Lord Gronwen, I must apologize for my husband’s enthusiasm.” Sorscha sends Eaton a pointed look.
He melts into a smile. “Is this our first fight?”
Sorscha ignores him, redirecting her attention to Gronwen. “What other matters did you plan to discuss today?”
“Well, I had hoped for some progress on the deal with the King of Vod.” He glances at Serena, who’s finally starting to sober.
She clears her throat. “None worth mentioning.”
“As far as we know, their deal is binding,” I announce. “I’m still searching for a way out of it.”
“The best we can do is prepare for the worst.”
“We will figure something out,” Sorscha vows, nodding at Serena.
“Here’s something you’ll enjoy, Gronwich,” Eaton says. “My father has agreed to send another ten thousand men to defend your walls.”
“He has?” Sorscha gasps.
“Not yet, but he will.”
I drag my hand down my face.
“Well. Are we done here?” Eaton asks after a moment. “Good. Successful first meeting. You’re all dismissed.”
Before he’s even finished, his mouth is on Sorscha’s with an indecent display of tongue. Everyone promptly makes for the exit before clothes start flying off.
I stop Jace on his way out the door.
“Listen. He’s just power-tripping right now. I’ll talk to him. I don’t want to be Hand of the King.”
“Neither do I. He’s your friend. You deal with him.” He makes to leave, but I hold him in place.
“I’m not going to displace you from the council.”
“My place is not seated at that table, and we all know it. I’m happy to stick to battles and bloodshed.” He gives me a bitter look, rips his arm away, and stalks off.
I glance back as Eaton ushers Sorscha into the hall to join up with Serena and Mar. I step in front of him.
“You cannot just walk in here and flip everything on its head. This is serious, Eaton. Your father did not train you to be king. And you need to rely on those around you who have experience to guide you.”
He claps me on the shoulder. “This. This is exactly why I need you as Hand.”
I hang my head. “I will be emissary, just like I was before.”
“Fine. If that’s what you really want, we can save your true title for behind closed doors.” He gives me a dubious look and slaps me on the ass.
This is going to be a long fucking reign.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s about a quarter past fuck-my-wife o’clock.”
We start to walk, and I can’t help but laugh at the little hearts in his eyes as he stares after his mate.
“I have never seen my friend so pathetically whipped before.” I pull him into a headlock, groaning when he punches me in the gut.
“Sad I won’t be pining for you forever, Rhodesie? I have a feeling you’ll find someone to keep you company. Someone with lavender eyes and kissable lips.” He makes a smooching sound in my face.
“Shut up.” I shove him off. “When you said you knew how it felt, you were referring to Sorscha.”
“Why do you think I was pushing you so hard? You’ve always made yourself responsible for other people’s happiness.” He gives my chest a gentle smack. “It’s time you went after what you want. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”
For my own selfish sake, I hope to gods he’s right.