Page 27 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

A dais decorated the back of the room, and Lessia imagined this was where the previous royals held court before they were overthrown. She could almost see the gilded thrones that had stood proud upon the dais, where the king and queen had sat in their finery, jewels, and crowns.

Of course, all the castle riches had been distributed after the war, sold in exchange for material to rebuild Ellow, to restore the towns and islands where only ruins and burned roofs remained after the devastating Fae magic had been unleashed upon them.

Although Lessia’s gift was lethal in its own way, the elemental Fae’s powers were catastrophic, and the humans had severely underestimated just how much destruction they were capable of wreaking.

Goose bumps rippled over her skin when she thought of how the humans had been tricked into taking on the Fae while the shifters stayed back and watched, biding their time until both sides were weakened.

If it hadn’t been for that brave fisherman, this realm might have looked very different.

“Welcome, everyone.” Frayson gestured for them to sit in the leather chairs placed in a circle by the large fireplace.

Lessia slipped into one close to the fire, enjoying the heat that licked her freezing body.

A scowl hardened her features when Merrick chose the one next to her, and she moved her arm off the armrest when his nearly grazed hers as he stretched out.

“I assume most of you know what the election process entails, but the law still dictates that I inform you.” Frayson shot her a look, and she swore amusement flickered in his eyes.

“The people of Ellow will cast their votes in two months’ time, and after that, one of you will be elected to lead Ellow for the next five years. In the time leading up to the vote, you will have to prove that you are fit to lead this country—that you are willing to suffer for your people. We will host debates and give you opportunities to showcase why the people of Ellow should elect you—what you may offer them.”

Lessia’s eyes widened, and she cast a glance at the other nominees in the room.

None of them seemed surprised by Frayson’s declaration. Loche even smirked to himself where he sat opposite her, casually resting his chin in his hand as he listened to Frayson.

The nominee she didn’t know—a blond man, perhaps in his early thirties—met her eyes briefly before shiftinghis gaze back to Frayson.

Lessia frowned—there was something familiar about him, but she didn’t think she’d seen him in one of the taverns.

A cloak similar to her own was cast over his broad shoulders, and he wore a simple white tunic with dark breeches held together by a thick leather belt underneath.

Nothing that could betray his occupation.

When Merrick cleared his throat beside her, she snapped her eyes back to the Guardian of the Law.

“To ensure none of you will give in to greed and risk another conflict, you will all be subjected to the hardship the people of Ellow experienced during the war. Hunger, torture, loss. And while you will not face mortal danger, this is not for the faint of heart. You may bow out anytime, but that means you forfeit your nomination. Stellia, you experienced something similar during navy training, and Loche, I’m afraid to say you must go through it again.”

Frayson glanced between the two, and as they inclined their heads, Loche’s sly smile didn’t falter for a second.

Craven’s mouth set into a thin line. “I assume it will be adapted to each individual?”

“You scared, Bernedir?” Loche mocked. “All that time sitting around in your mansion didn’t prepare you for this?”

Craven flew out of his chair, stalking up to Loche. “Watch it, boy. I can make life very ugly for you.”

Loche didn’t bother angling his head to look up at him. “Your face is already enough to make my life ugly, old man.”

Lessia couldn’t hold back a snort when Craven huffed angrily before storming back and throwing himself down in his chair so hard it squeaked backward.

Loche’s eyes flew to hers, and he offered her a lazy smile. “Why are you laughing, darling? I thought the only thing you were good at was frolicking in those taverns of yours. If youthought being regent would entail free wine and festivities, you’re in the wrong place.”

Heat rose on her cheeks, and a growl made its way up her throat.

Who did he think he was?

Anger mixed with the guilt weighing down her shoulders.

She might be here under false pretenses, but that didn’t mean she needed to deal with snide comments from this bastard.

Before she could snarl at him to keep his big mouth shut, Frayson held up a hand.

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