Page 142 of The King is Dead
The discussion devolved then and I was left exhausted and frustrated as opposing arguments circled the table, the Nephilim insisting that they would help us cover, while the Shadekin pointed out that this entire plan could be a ruse to simply walk out of Theynor with Yilan a prisoner.
“I wouldneverdo that to my mate,” I snarled when that accusation was finally given voice.
“You’re proposing to do exactly that!” Turo protested. “What if your intentions are good, but your brothers are only choosing to play along until they have both of you through the Shadows of Shade and out from under our eyes? What then?!”
“We are loyal—we came to bring Melek tolead,not to deceive him!”
“So you say—”
“I have had enough of this,” Jann growled.
“Jann, stop,” I muttered.
Yilan pushed to her feet, raising her hands to silence everyone, and to my relief, the men did stop barking, but they all turned to her with wary, cautious eyes.
“Please,” she said calmly. “I know this is uncomfortable—for all of us. But we are here to worktogether.”
“Then perhaps you should remind yourservantsthat we Nephilim are not mindless predators, and that they sit in the presence of the highest ranking officers of the Nephilim nation.” He cut a disdainful look at Diadre then. “We are not novelties. We are not beasts. We came to negotiate, but we can’t do that with people who refuse to believe we are even capable of self-restraint.”
“And perhaps the Neph should take his own advice,” Diadre spat. “Novelties? Iearnedmy stripes,Captain.Did you?”
“Without question,” he bit back.
“Then either have respect for the fact that I have done the same, or meet me outside. I am happy to show you mytalentsand put you in the dirt in front of your friends if that’s what it will take to shut you up.”
I dropped my face into my hand when my brotherslaughed.They tried to cover it, and quieted quickly. But the damage was done.
Yilan bristled on Diadre’s behalf. “Is this the best of the Nephilim warriors?” she asked quietly. “Is this what you believe commands respect? Because the arrogance you show will not serve any of us in this endeavor. Be very,verycareful about underestimating any enemy lest you find yourselves eating your words.”
“Who underestimated whom?” Drek spoke up sharply. “We walk into a room full of men and women who see nothing but brainless thugs and you cautionusto think twice?”
It hit me then that the only person in this room truly tied to both sides of this debate was me. And that meant I had to be the one to bring them all together.
“All of you, stop,” I said quietly, putting every ounce of authority and strength behind the words that I had learned in my forty-two years. I stood to draw every eye, and break off the words forming on their tongues. Then I eyed each of my brothers first. “You came to call me to the crown. I’m grateful. And humbled. I am answering that call, and will not let you down.”
Then I shifted my attention to the Shadekin. “And you recognize that I am divinely appointed to rule. A crown I accept reluctantly—I have never sought that kind of power—but our hearts and minds are in alignment. My mate is precious and must be protected. Andthis land, these people, are her treasure. I will stand in the breech for them.”
I took a deep breath, infusing every word that followed with the conviction of my soul.
“I understand why you are all suspicious of each other, but I am here to tell you, I alone have stood alongsidebothpeoples here—and both have honor. Both have strength. Both are worth saving. I will do everything in my power to keepbothsafe. And to my mind, that means avoiding war at all costs.
“I, of all people, can prove my worth on the battlefield. And I am sick of the glut of blood and death—are you? I would challenge any one of you to meet me in combat. I know I will win. But I want to use that strength for you, not against you.”
An uneasy shifting rippled around the table.
“If you can learn to trust each other—and me—we can win this. Together. We can walk away from what’s to come without great casualty on either side. Yilan and I will rule both nationstogether.Nations that will walk into the future allied. Safe. Prosperous. There will be no further need for war on the Continent. No further need for suspicion and back-biting. We can herald anew age.But it must start here. Right here, right now. These people at this table. These minds. These hearts. This collective strength.” I looked at Yilan, aching, praying they’d hear me as she was. I could feel her admiration and hope pouring through the bond.
“If Yilan and I have learned anything, it is that unless we walk into thisas one,we will fail. And if my mate and I fail, none of you will be safe. If you remain here today, you do so as one people—one nation. One goal. If you can’t do that, walk out of that door and return to the people you choose. We will achieve this without you. Because you were brought here to work as part of a team to literally save the world. So, tell me. Each of you. Are youin?”
The room was silent.
Yilan leaned forward watching her people and mine, her breath shallow. I could feel her tension in the bond—and her delight. But even though she loved my words, she recognized, as I did, it meant nothing if the people at this table couldn’t catch the vision and start to work together.
“I’m in,” Diadre said first. Then she turned to stare down Jann with a challenge in her eyes.
Jann huffed, but though his eyes glinted, he turned to me as well. “Me too,” he said, shaking his head and smiling. “God help us all, you’re right. Let’s do this.”
I breathed easier when Turo nodded his agreement and sat back in his seat. “I do not like what is proposed, and will fight to make certain our Queen is kept safe. But I amin.The vision you hold for the future… yes. I will fight for that.”
