Personally, I think it’s her inner light and goodness. “I’m certain that didn’t hurt.”
With methodical steps, Bram crosses the floor and sits on the sofa. “If I agree to nominate you, we must have an understanding in place.”
Of course. Bram’s terms and conditions. I swallow a fresh ball of rage. I shouldn’t expect the last few moments to have erased two centuries of distrust. “I’m listening.”
“I need your voting loyalty. Not on every issue. I’m not seeking a puppet, but on matters of Mathias and magickind’s safety…”
“Of course.” That agreement is easy; we share the same views. “Provided the votes are not used to continually suppress the Deprived. Change must occur.”
Bram hesitates, then nods. “You’re right. By striking down the Social Order, we’ll not only make the system just again, but we’ll rob Mathias of his ‘cause’ and leave him without a group to manipulate for power. And the Deprived will finally have a new leader in you, one who doesn’t feed off violence and death.”
Crowning me as a new leader seems far-fetched, but for now I simply nod. “Then we’re agreed.”
“So far.”
I swallow. Not the hard part of the conversation. Please, don’t ask me to give up Sabelle.
“My sister… The issue of your Call must be addressed.”
“That’s between your sister and me.”
“I’m still her guardian,” Bram snarls. “And I’m convinced you’re the last wizard she should ever Bind to.”
Bastard. But I drag in a rough breath and tell myself to keep calm. “She’s a grown woman—a very bright one—as we’ve established. Allow her to know her own mind and heart.”
Bram shakes his head. “If she mates with you, I must still disclaim her. Sabelle can be mated elsewhere for better political advantage, a stronger voting bloc on the Council. I will continue negotiations with Kelmscott Spencer. His son, Rye, would make a good candidate?—"
“You son of a bitch!” I can’t stop myself from lashing out. “You’re negotiating your sister’s destiny for your political advantage, without any regard for her happiness. When you wrested her as a child from her mother because she was all but selling Sabelle’s future, you didn’t do it out of the goodness of your heart or concern for what would become her, did you? You bought her from her greedy mother so you could use the fact Merlin’s blood runs in her veins to your greater advantage. You’ve waited and bided your time for this day. Her happiness doesn’t mean a fucking thing to you.”
“I’m convinced you’re the last man in the world who could ever make her happy.”
I know I should shut up, stop arguing. But I can’t because I want Sabelle far more than a seat on the Council. Gailene, bless her, would have understood. “Because, in your mind, I was born to a lower class? Because I lack your connections?"
“What can you give her but misery?”
I clench my jaw so tightly, I fear it will snap. “I would always put her needs above my own, something you’ve clearly never done.”
“That’s my offer. Take it or leave it.”
“Rescind your threat to disclaim Sabelle. Then I’ll accept your nomination.”
Bram’s eyes narrow. “You’re in no position to negotiate.”
Oh, but I am. I see that now. “Really? Then find another Deprived you know will vote with you in the next few hours and nominate him. I’ll be with Sabelle, trying every way I can think of to convince her that I’ll make her sublimely happy.”
Bram lunges off the sofa at me. “You bastard!”
I wave a hand. A solid, frozen sheet of ice materializes between us. “Rescind it.”
A calculating light enters those sharp blue eyes. “If you’re elected, I will. That’s my best offer.”
Fuck all, I’ve negotiated with the devil. Bram will nominate me, and if the seat becomes mine, perhaps Sabelle and I can find a clear path to a happy future. Someday. Nothing is assured, but that’s more than I dared to hope for.
“Deal. Fair warning: If I am elected, I will pursue your sister relentlessly until she Binds to me.”
“Even if I don’t disclaim her, she’s loyal to me—the last of her family. Don’t be surprised if she remains so.”
Chapter
