Page 152 of The Courting of Bristol Keats
“It’s twilight,” Madame Chastain said. “Now that that important piece of news is settled, what else can we do for you, Miss Keats?”
The smile again, the one that was not her. “I’m glad you asked.”
Tyghan started to walk around the table to usher her out. “Bristol, I think you and I should speak alone.”
“No, Your Majesty,” she said sharply. Her eyes rested on his for the first time. “This concerns the bargain I made with all of you. Everyone should hear what I have to say.”
Your Majesty?Her formality hit him in the pit of his stomach.Oh, the king, la-di-da. This wasn’t going to go well, but he couldn’t delay the inevitable. He folded his arms in front of him and nodded in acquiescence.
Her gaze circled the room, and Tyghan saw the first break in her well-collected demeanor, the bite of her lower lip, but then her face hardened like she was redoubling her efforts to maintain her cool facade. “It’s come to my attention there were hidden clauses in the bargain I made with you.”
Madame Chastain shrugged. “We don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The corner of Bristol’s mouth pulled in mock disappointment. “Really?I’ll refresh your memory—that you had plans to eliminate the Darkland monster?”
Tyghan gritted his teeth but vowed to keep his mouth shut—at least as long as he could. She might as well get it all out.
“That was not a clause, nor was it hidden,” Madame Chastain replied. “Simply kingdom business that does not concern you.”
Bristol clasped her hands in front of her. “But that’s the crux of it. I’m afraid it does concern me, considering the Darkland monster is my mother. Andthatyou did keep hidden. Mymother.” She swallowed like the word was a stone in her mouth. “And she has a name. Leanna Keats.”
As she continued, her voice changed. Word by word, her composure fell away like scales from armor. Her glare chilled the room. “And you have a thousand arrows ready to pierce her heart as soon as I shut that portal. Elven—like Cully—are busy whittling their little instruments of death just for her. But no worries. I have a hidden clause too that will remedy the situation—oh—we’ll call it kingdom business, if you prefer.”
The High Witch rose to her feet, standing beside Eris. “Your sarcasm is tiresome and inappropriate. You’re in the presence of High Fae and the king of Danu. You will show due respect.”
Bristol laughed. “And here I thought I was. At least as much as you deserve.” Her focus shifted to Eris before Madame Chastain could respond. “Back to my clause. I will keep my end of the bargain, closing the Abyss portal, but there will be no more arrows aimed at my mother. And you will stop hunting my father. I plan to take them both home with me when this is over.”
“Impossible,” Eris replied. “Your father’s sentence has already been passed by the full council. It would take another vote to rescind it.”
“Then I suggest you vote.”
“There isn’t time—”
“Maketime.”
“Why should they?” Quin said. “You can barely shut a portal without a long-protracted visit with a knife. You aren’t exactly a sure bet.”
“But I’m the best bet you have, aren’t I?”
Tyghan stepped forward. “All right, you’re angry. We get that. But we needed your help, Bristol,” he said. “If we had told you the truth from the start, would you have helped us?”
“I was never given the choice to decide. It was decided for me.”
“You’re avoiding the question. Would you have helped us?”
“I would have done just what you did—used you the way you used me. I would have turned the game board around so I was playing with different game pieces. I would have been smarter about the defenses I let down and the trust I gave too freely. But yes, I would have helped you, because in the end, I find Kormick marginally more despicable than all of you, and there are a few people here that I actually still care about. Now it’s my turn to ask. If you had it to do over again, would you tell me the truth? See if you can be honest.”
Tyghan shook his head. “No. It wasn’t a chance I could take. Elphame is desperate for your help.”
“Desperate? Then you better start groveling a bit more, Your Majesty, and convince your council to meet my demands.”
“You arrogant little—” Kasta lunged at Bristol, but Quin held her back.
“That’s enough,” Tyghan said. “We’ll talk later, Bristol. The things you’re asking aren’t that simple—”
“Yes, they are!That simple.Take or leave my proposal.”
“You heard the king, Miss Keats,” Madame Chastain snapped. “The Butcher of Celwyth will not be pardoned, and the arrows will not be stopped. You’re dismissed.”
