Mila nodded. “Metaphorically speaking, though.”
“General Lovall is correct,” Barrett said. He folded his hands atop the table, seizing control of the meeting in that firm gesture. Dax remained stoic, his arms crossed. “We do not need to fully open the doors in order to make my reign more approachable. This table is empty—the palace is empty. If the people are going to understand that I defected to take my mother down for the good of all Engrossians”—soft flinches from the council—“they need to know me.”
“They still will not trust you,” Nassik said.
Barrett inhaled. That control was cracking, but he asked fairly, “And how do you suggest I negotiate their trust?”
All three council members considered. I had the distinct impression they had already discussed this very topic and were aware what was said next would not be well received, despite Barrett fighting to remain calm.
“There are rumblings of those who supported your mother’s cause planning a coup against you,” Elvek said, the final word dropping like steel against marble.
There had been warriors in Kakias’s army who fought willingly. She had wielded the power of Thorn’s broken crown—the piece of the Mindshaper Angel emblem allowing her to control a portion of the minor clan—over many, but some of the Engrossian legions had truly wanted to wage war on the Mystiques, and she’d given them the chance.
And they were the ones who would fight against the acceptance of Barrett’s reinstatement as prince and any coronation to come.
“If we are going to beat the spread of those tainted beliefs, you will need an official partner to sit on the throne with you,” Nassik proposed. “One to strengthen ties, the public perception of your allegiance, and belief in your capability of ruling this territory.”
“Wonderful, Dax is already a general.” Barrett waved a hand to where his consort stood, stony faced, as if braced for an impact that had yet to launch. “We’ll happily conduct the ceremonies and rituals required by law.”
Dax offered a small nod of agreement, but his expression held firm.
“Dax Goverick is indeed a general, yes,” Nassik said. “But he defected as you did.”
“We did that to support?—”
“We understand, Prince Barrett,” Pelvira interrupted, compassion softening her voice. “And I do agree that many of your people will see it that way. Many did not want this war, and we can ensure the truth spreads of who was responsible.”
“The people will believe what they want to believe?—”
Pelvira spoke over Nassik. “We can’t open the doors, but we can bring back the staff. The late Queen Kakias dismissed them all, but we can return life to the palace. We getthemto understand Prince Barrett’s involvement and motivations. They will return to their homes each night, and the gossip will spread.”
“It’s true,” I added. “After I was released from imprisonment, the news spread to every stretch of Mystique Territory in a matter of weeks. The vast majority turned against Lucidius quickly. The same will happen with Kakias.”
Now, Mila placed a hand onmyknee beneath the table, but no nerves bustled beneath my skin at the mention of my time in captivity.
Nassik stewed on what I said. “My point still stands.”
“I seem to have missed your entire point in the first place,” Barrett drawled, dragging a ringed hand through his dark curls.
“You need a proper partner to symbolize your commitment to the Engrossians.” Dax’s hand fisted at Nassik’s words, and the blow echoed through the chamber with the cruel, curling smile of the councilman. “If you truly want to earn back your throne and lead this clan, you will bond with someone from a noble house, or you will lose your title.”
“I will lose my title?He will lose his head!” Barrett’s storming echoed through the door of his suite hours later. It was the first time I’d seen the normally unflappable prince this angry.
When it came to Dax, there were no limits.
Taking a deep breath, I rapped my knuckles against the door. Dax opened it a moment later, giving me a terse nod. I followed him through the foyer, into the prince’s office.
The King’s Suite—the one Barrett and Dax had taken up residence in upon their return to the Engrossian capital—was bedecked in the deepest onyx and silvers, hints of emerald green splashed across the curtains and marble sculptures accenting the wealth.
Barrett prowled before the window muttering beneath his breath. His head snapped up as we entered. “Brother,” he greeted, his voice dark as a storm cloud. Rebel tracked his every step, the wolf up to his hip.
I nodded, tucking my hands into my pockets. I’d come alone, leaving Lyria and Mila to handle some correspondence.
“Barrett,” Dax soothed, resuming their conversation with an unbelievably calm demeanor. “We knew this was a possibilitywhen we left. We knew there was a chance of much worse than this.”
“Execution, exile, et cetera.” Barrett continued pacing, the sky outside dark. “I knew it was all possible, and still I took the risk.”
“Then this should not be a surprise,” Dax said. I hung back, allowing him to handle his prince.
