CHAPTER 55
Well, at least you’re not the last one here,” Madame Chastain announced. “Kasta and Melizan still haven’t arrived.”
Tyghan scanned the large round table. In addition to the officers and Eris, Esmee, and Olivia, there were unexpected guests—Lady Barrington and Lord Csorba. “Kasta’s not coming. I gave her urgent business to attend to. Melizan is probably on her way.”
He eyed Barrington and Csorba. “Look who’s here. But you couldn’t bother to show up when I urgently asked for a council vote.”
Lady Barrington offered a patronizing shake of her head. “Getting a unanimous council vote on such short notice is an impossible feat. You’re a young and unrealistic ruler, Your Majesty.”
“And yet, as Knight Commander, you put me in charge of sharp lethal objects.”
Lord Csorba scowled. “Warring and ruling are two different skills.”
“You may leave now,” Tyghan said, already done with their nonsense. “This meeting is for senior council members and officers only.”
“I told them,” Madame Chastain said, “but they refused to leave.”
“We won’t take up much of your time,” Lord Csorba said. “But we have urgent business too. We received a report that your charge is indeed fully bloodmarked.”
“That is privileged information.”
“As well we know,” Lady Barrington piped up, “and that is our point exactly. This information needs to be carefully guarded, but we’ve seen her freely flitting about the palace grounds. Considering her singular and vital role in our future, we find that to be unwise.”
“We think guards should be placed at her door,” Csorba continued, “and a collar to control her magic would be a prudent security measure.”
“She is an ally, not a prisoner.”
“She’s an asset. One too great to be careless with. She could provide us with advantages for centuries to come. And we do have to consider that she has certain loyalties to our enemies.”
Veins rose at Tyghan’s temples. “Get out,” he growled. “Get out before I rip out your tongues as an additional security measure.”
Lord Csorba jumped to his feet. “You will not be king much longer.”
“We know Cael is here,” Lady Barrington added as a warning. “He came to see us just a short while ago.”
Tyghan struggled to contain his fury without breaking any bones.
“Guards!” he shouted. “Escort these council members to their quarters. They are not to see anyone until I give further orders. Not even a servant. And see that Reuben applies a collar to both of them. Gag and hood them in the meantime so they don’t disturb anyone. ”
“What? Have you gone mad?” Lady Barrington yelled.
Lord Csorba raised a hand to summon magic, but Tyghan was faster, gathering a stream of bright energy into his hand that slammed the lord across the room, sending him tumbling to the floor. He rose to his feet, sputtering and disheveled. “You’ve gone too far this time!”
“You haven’t begun to see how far I will go to protect our asset. You picked the wrong battle this time, Csorba.”
Everyone was stunned into silence as the guards escorted them out.
Quin finally broke the silence. “That was the best fucking thing I’ve seen all day.”