Lord Thomlinson stiffened at this, his eyes widening and flicking about the table as men shifted uncomfortably.
"If it is the faith of your queen you seek, I have it here in this letter," I said, lifting my mother's note into the air, watching with an incomplete satisfaction as Roderick's jaw ticked. I knew as well as he did that my mother's faith was easily won, that she might just have easily promised Thomlinson her support. But the other man looked gravely back at Roderick, and at least for the moment I had won.
Sir Weston stepped forward, eyeing Cresswell with a hard swallow, but he took the letter from my fingers and read it to the room.
"…My darling and wise daughter will know best how to serve our good kingdom, as she is a true embodiment of our great queen's line…"
The note was effusive in its praise, and Owen turned his face to mine, beaming at me as if the words were some perfect gold mark, impossible to refute. I buried the shame that wanted to rise to my cheeks. I knew the truth. My mother was liberal with her confidence in me, but a little empty too. She reminded the council that I was good, and would know best, but she didn't assert herself against them. Still, it was working in some places, the shift palpable as men began to confer with their friends and peers, as Thomlinson and Roderick looked uneasy in their authority.
"It seems you seek to make the council defunct, Your Highness," Lord Thomlinson said, which was a clever kind of cut against me, as it made the men rustle anxiously.
"Not at all. I seek to remind the council that its duty is to be a reflection of the will of the queen's line and what is best for the people of Kimmery.Allthe people of Kimmery," I said. "And I sincerely believe that if the people were given a voice in this matter, their opinions would not reflect your own."
A couple of nobles scoffed, but for the most part, I had the council's attention.
"And how can you be sure?" Lord Roderick asked, glaring at me.
"I cannot. Put your proposal to a vote here today, and if it passes, take it to the people next," I said.
"Give the people avote?" one man squawked, but Sir Weston was quick to jump in.
"Yes, just as many of us have suggested for several years now!"
"A vote it is then. Here, now, between the council members," Lord Thomlinson barked, glaring at the men at the table as he wobbled and pulled himself upright. "And if it passes, we shall discuss how best to implement your commoner's vote."
"We have a system, ready and drafted," Wendell said at my side. "It will be easily managed."
Thomlinson glared back at my Chosen with a sneer, but it was Roderick's face that simultaneously left me sure that we had, somehow, both won and stirred up a great deal of grief for ourselves. He looked defeated, and he gave me the deepest, most loathsome, most openly vicious stare, so much so that it drew a growl out of Cresswell who was still a bear at my back.
"Perhaps Your Highness will give us leave to take our vote in private and away from the intimidation of yourbeast," Roderick spat out.
I bristled for Cresswell's sake, but nodded to the men. "I will give the council, who has the responsibility of using their best and most ethical judgment, the privacy for the vote."
Roderick puffed and fumed, but said no more as I turned with my Chosen and headed for the door. Behind me, silent this whole time, Daniel remained in the background, gaze blazing on me. I hadn't really taken the time to feel proud of this performance, but it seemed suddenly impossible not to under his stare, like he was lit up from within and it was shining on me too now. I smiled shyly at him and he held the door open for me, for Cresswell who transformed back to my gleaming guard, and for my other Chosen, Owen's hand squeezing around mine.
"You are beautifully terrifying," Daniel whispered in my ear. "Have I mentioned that before?"
It was an odd compliment, but it made me flush and bump my shoulder against his arm as the door swung shut behind us.
"I think you have their vote, Bryony," Wendell said.
"I have your cooperation to thank for that," I said, looking at the five of them and smiling as the voices raised in the closed room behind us.
"You improvise well," Thao said with a nod. "Our second-natures was a clever touch. Did you have it planned?"
"No, I would've told you, of course. And you didn'thaveto shift," I rushed out.
Thao only smiled and stepped closer, his hair brushing my shoulder as he kissed the curve of my neck. "It was my pleasure. The smell of their fear was exhilarating."
"It was only a shame I couldn't let the bear out more," Cresswell said, and at last he gifted me with his warm, brilliant smile.
And then there were footsteps clapping on the tile closer, and Daniel stiffened at my side at his father's approach. Edgar Farraque hadn't been in the room with us, but I was certain he must've heard every word in some way. There was no other reason for him to look so furious with his son.
"Daniel," he bit out, his hands clenched at his side.
Cresswell shifted in front of me, but I pushed him back slightly, shaking my head and touching Daniel's arm, silently asking him what he needed as he looked at me.
"Daniel!"