Page 109 of The Courting of Bristol Keats
“It is done, Your Majesty,” Kasta answered.
The man thanked them and was led away by his friend, still choking back sobs.
But as the next petitioner was ready to step up to the dais, another from the Rookswood contingent, a sturdy man with thin graying hair, boldly stepped forward and blurted out, “Do not give in to them, Your Majesty! We know what they’ve done to the other kingdoms, broken the laws of the gods and decency, terrorizing and murdering to achieve their goals—and now stealing away a king, yourbrother. We know the choice you face, but Danu is the last hope for Elphame. Once they have the Cauldron of Plenty, we will forever be at their mercy. Do not bow to their demands, or we are all lost.”
The room reverberated with silence. Tyghan stared at the man, caught off guard. He couldn’t answer him truthfully, because whatever he said today would be fodder tomorrow in every village and hamlet—but bowing to Kormick’s demands had never been an option.
Tyghan chose his next words carefully. “Danu is continuing to weigh its options. We will follow a course of action that serves the common good.”
The man’s eyes narrowed as Tyghan spoke, like he was measuring the import of every word and the length of pauses between them, like he heard the ticking clock pounding in Tyghan’s head. “I understand, Your Majesty . . . I understand. And if you think we must bend our knee to Fomoria, then that is what we will do.” His gaze rested heavily on Tyghan’s, his face sharp with discernment, and he nodded.
Tyghan dipped his chin slightly in return.
The next few petitioners had easier requests to address, but it was the last petitioner who stepped up to the end of the line who drew Tyghan’s attention.
He hurried through the other requests, a yes, a yes, and an easy no—a request to paint his portrait as the new king of Danu.
And then finally, the last petitioner stepped up to the dais and bowed deeply. Bristol’s loose chestnut hair fell in waves over her shoulders he had caressed just hours ago. She stood tall, serious, her eyes as deep and dark as a night sea. Her full lips were half-parted, and her chest rose in careful breaths. She didn’t need to petition him for anything. He’d give her the world if she asked for it.
His temples pounded. Was there something so grave on her mind that she felt the need to address him formally?
“Clear the room,” Tyghan said to Eris. “I’ll hear this request in private.”
Bristol shook her head. “It’s not necessary to—”
“It will only take a moment,” Tyghan said.
Lingerers in the vestibule were ushered out, and the king’s aides left with them. The entrance doors closed with a heavythunk.
Tyghan leaned back in his throne, bracing himself. What did Jasmine tell Bristol? Did Madame Chastain make it clear it would be treason to share certain information about Kierus? That the survival of Elphame hung in the balance in this matter?
Bristol’s eyes rose to meet his, and she grimaced. “I feel foolish now. My request is trivial compared to the ones I just heard. Well, except sitting for a portrait.” She rolled her eyes, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth.
Relief flooded Tyghan’s chest. “Yes,” he answered.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, whatever you request, it’s yours.”
“I want to send my sisters a letter,” she said.
“Done. I’ll have Eris arrange it. When do you want—”
“Wait,” she said as if remembering something. “There’s more, actually.” Creases around her eyes deepened. “Something more important. I have good news and bad news to share with you. Shall I get the bad out of the way first?”
Tyghan leaned forward. “Are you all right? Did you—”
“I’m fine, but . . . I still have the tick. Jasmine said she could remove it, though it would come with a small risk of death, you know, that fine print sort of thing? Worse, though . . .” Her words came out in a breathless string then, as she explained to him about the fae vestige from her father’s line, and removing it might result in profound changes. “It could be far more than these marks on my nails.” She bit her lower lip. “I don’t want to become something else, Tyghan. I can’t go back to my sisters as something else. Jasmine tried to hide it, but I saw the look on her face. She was afraid.” She paused and drew a deep breath. “It’s something I at least need a little time to think about. I hope you understand.”
Tyghan stood and walked down the dais until he stood in front of her. He gently lifted her face to his. “No one’s making you remove it or even asking you to. I promise. It’s your decision.” His thumb brushed her cheekbone. “And the good news?”
She shook her head and stepped away, circling the space in front of the dais. “More bad news first, I’m afraid. I lied to you. That day you caught me in your room? I wasn’t lost. I snuck into your suite and found your study.”
“I don’t allow anyone in my study.”
“I know that. It was . . . obvious.”
“Then why did you go in?”
