Page 95 of The Light Falls
He wraps his hands around both sides of my head and brings me close for a long, tender kiss. “There are always going to be problems, Meri. Granted, these are pretty bad, but you’re strong and intelligent. You’ll find a way.”
I stare at him. “I needed to hear those words. Thank you.” I kiss him again. “Be careful.”
Standing, I straighten my suit. Sharp, powerful. “Thank you, Eris.” I leave Callyx and Kaius looking at a map of the palace and the land around it and stride out the door. Ansel and Tiernan immediately follow me.
Solandis is standing at the council room doors, but she looks worse than ever.
“This is about more than Estrella’s betrayal. You’re sick. Have you seen a healer?” I ask her, waving at Ansel to shut the council doors so we won’t be overheard. Crossing my arms, I wait for her to answer.
She looks at me and laughs. “You sound like Arden.” Leaning close, she raises a finger to her lips and whispers, “I’m pregnant.”
My mouth drops open. “What?! Seriously?” I smile broadly.
She raises a finger to her mouth again and tilts her head toward the doors. “A council meeting isn’t going to kill me. Although this one is going to be rough. Are you ready?”
I beam at her, anyway. “I’m so excited.” I can tell she is, too, but now is not the time to celebrate.
Throwing my shoulders back, I lift my chin. “Didn’t you hear? I won against a kraken. I can handle a bunch of council members.”
The room is in an uproar, and unlike previous times, it doesn’t stop when I enter. If anything, it gets worse. Lifting a hand, I mute every one of them except Solandis.
“We will conduct this meeting in a civilized manner, or I will postpone it until next week,” I warn them. “Call the roster and read the minutes.”
Taking my seat, I release my hold, but the second one of them opens their mouth, I immediately mute them.
“Lord Camon.”
“Lord Camon.”
I look at where he usually sits, only to find the seat empty. That’s unusual. Maybe he’s hiding out until all this is over.
Everyone else is here.
“Lord Faris, take the floor and give us an update,” I order him.
He bows deeply to me. “You were right. If the Fire Fae didn’t get their land, they were going to declare war. Nothing I said could deter them. I felt it was in the best interests of the light Fae to grant them the land.”
The council erupts, and I stand. “We will have order. If you wish to speak, stand, and I will call on you.”
“Lady Estrella,” I call out when she stands. Might as well hear her first.
She points at Faris. “I want him arrested. He stole my land and burned my keep. There is nothing left.”
“The council gave Faris the right to negotiate on our behalf. Just because you don’t like the outcome doesn’t mean he has committed a crime,” I state with an elegant shrug. “There is plenty of land available. Pick out a spot and the crown will grant it to you, along with reparations to build a new keep.”
She throws up her hands. “I want my land back.”
“Was it your land?” I ask her. “Technically, the treaty gave Nyssa the land. She granted it to your father and Basilus. Both are gone. Wouldn’t that mean the land should have automatically reverted back to the crown?” She opens her mouth, but I hold a hand up. “We could argue semantics all day. It is within your rights to take this to court, or you can accept the crown’s very generous offer.”
Faris’ eyes gleam with personal satisfaction. He bows and takes his seat.
“Next agenda item,” I call out.
Lorn stands and flashes his bright smile at the crowd, but instead of the usual fawning, he gets small smiles and a few fluttering lashes.
I look over and give a subtle nod to Laken, who is standing in the corner. Winter Fae. I had him lower the temperature in the room by ten degrees. I wasn’t sure the tactic would work, but the nymphs often complained when it was cold.
He clears his throat, and his smile vanishes. “It has come to my attention that Merindah, the Queen of the Light Fae, is half dark Fae. Her father is the worst of them—the Dark Fae King, Denir.”
