Page 47 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

“That is where you are wrong, Commander Blacksteel.” Emara’s eyes turned a steely grey as she walked forward from her chair. “I can see your sons’ hearts, and all of them are a credit to your clan. There is only one person who lets the Blacksteel name down.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck! What was she doing? Did she want him to tell the world about her blood? Gideon realised that would condemn Viktir too; keeping a secret like that from the prime was unacceptable.

“Your son has declared what he thinks is best for the clan’s interest, and you are too stubborn and selfish to right your wrongs.” She finally lifted her gaze. “And I hope the prime can see that today. It is unfair for you to drag us through this process just for your own vengeance.” Her gaze found Gideon. “And I hope they recognise that it is not just Torin’s heart that Viktir does not respect, but Gideon Blacksteel’s too.”

A hot flush took over him as she looked at him. He didn’t know what he was doing as he rose from the chair; he even felt Sybil tug on his arm, but something had taken over him.

“Members of the prime…” His voice did not sound like his own, it was higher and somehow louder than usual. He cleared his throat. “Since my name has been mentioned, I would like a say in how this treaty should go too.”

“Sit down, boy.” He heard Viktir speak, but Gideon didn’t glance in his direction. He couldn’t lose his nerve; this was the first time he’d ever disobeyed his commander.

The Fae King moved in his chair, reminding Gideon he was in the room, and he caught his wise, violet gaze. The king gave him a nod to continue. “I believe the warrior should be allowed his voice in court.” His glittering eyes cast over the chief. “After all, his name has been mentioned a few times now, has it not?”

His voice was earthy and ancient.

Murk nodded in agreement, as did the Minister of Coin. He seemed to be enjoying the hunters being in the hot seat for once.

Gideon lifted his gaze to his chief commander. “I would agree with my brother on his stance regarding the alliance.” Emara looked over at him with tears in her eyes. This was not only final for Gideon, but Emara too. Every moment together had led them here, led him to save her from the treaty. “The reasons my father suggested to the prime that I replace my brother was not due to the stability of my character like he said.” He placed his hands behind his back. “It was for punishment for Torin’s well-intentioned actions. Therefore, I am unable to say that I could go into the alliance with the House of Air. I can assure you all that there is no stronger alliance than that of Torin Blacksteel and Emara Clearwater. I would be doing my clan a disservice if I married the Empress of Air.” He found Emara’s face once more, and the tears in her eyes humbled him. “She deserves someone like my brother. I am in full support of their alliance, should she choose him. Torin and Emara are right, an empress should have a choice in the matters of her heart.”

Torin’s jaw flexed before his throat shoved down a swallow, and Emara let out a half sob.

“Chief Commander,” Viktir cut in as he stood, “I will not overturn my decision here today. If one of my hunters will not obey my rules, they know the consequences. An oath is an oath. A treaty is a treaty. They will be exiled.”

The chief commander threw a look at Torin, and a concern rose in Gideon’s stomach that Aerrick agreed with Viktir.

Viktir’s word was final.

“And you are not even going to attempt to persuade my father?” Torin asked, disgust lingering on his lips as he took in the reaction of Commander Stryker. “You are the chief; you could command him to do that without it going to a deliberation.”

A small rumble went through the crowd, showing support for Torin’s challenge. Gideon even heard a few sighs and curses.

The chief placed his hands behind his back. “I can see he is a man that is not willing to budge. If I ask my prime members here today to take a vote, it may be overstepping their jurisdiction when it comes to the oath of a warrior of Thorin.”

“Even if it’s wrong? Even if the decision is unjust? Even if you have the power here in court to make him budge?” Emara let her voice be heard.

The chief commander said lowly, “What kind of chief would I be if I overturned every man’s quandary with their commander? Where would the authority lie in the clans?” His dark gaze found Torin again. “If you were commander and your word was final, would you expect it to be challenged over something as political as a marriage?”

“But—”

“It’s done, Emara.” Torin looked over his shoulder at her, and she wobbled on her feet so marginally that it would have taken a hunter to notice it. “We tried.”

Gideon fell back into his chair, and he heard his mother let out a small cry.

“I had the smallest sliver of hope that it wouldn’t come to this,” his brother said before turning and finding Gideon in the crowd. He lowered his lashes with a darkness in his eyes, almost saying sorry as he looked to Kellen and his mother. He turned back to Viktir, who looked smug. “But you have left me no other choice.”

Gideon tore his hand from Sybil’s grip and stood once more. “Torin, wait—”

“I have no other choice, brother.” Torin lifted his blue eyes from the floor to his face.

The crowd gasped as Naya Blacksteel shot from her seat too, but Marcus Coldwell was faster than a cobra to grab her and pull her back. Gideon swore he could hear her trying to negotiate with Torin over something, but there was a lively buzz in Gideon’s head. Torin was going to challenge his father.

A final challenge.

The crowd was now moving and whispering, and all Gideon could see was the Blacksteel War happening before his eyes.

“My relationship with Emara is not a rejection of my oath to my Gods,” Torin shouted, and it brought Gideon back to the room.

“It is a direct rejection of your commander’s orders. Do you think your Gods would want you to do that?” the chief challenged.

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