Page 12 of Sinner
At the time, there hadn’t been many, and his child's mind could only conjure up so much. To a four-year-old, his parents' deaths weren’t even a possibility. The crown would pass to himfrom his father—because it also hadn’t occurred to him that the emperor would need to have died for his father to take the throne next, since Lake was third in line, not second.
West had been there, and Yejun.
“We’ll start at eleven sharp on the day,” High Council member Kori explained. “Is there anything specific you would like added, future Majesty?”
Aside from having his best friends there with him, it would be nothing like what Lake had imagined.
“My Royal Consort,” Lake said, flipping through the information packet on the tablet he’d been handed at the start of this meeting. “I want something added for him at the end. Something proper, befitting his station.”
“A Royal Consort?” Franz, a member Lake would do away with the second he had the crown, furrowed a bushy brow. “Are you certain you want to name one so soon? You’re young, and taking on the responsibilities—”
“Let’s not pretend you aren’t all aware of the rumors,” Lake stopped him, not willing to waste time on such frivolous nonsense. They didn’t get a say, not in this, and soon, not with anything.
They’d called him here, during a holiday, to discuss the events of the past week. Truthfully, it did need to be discussed, but Lake had almost turned them down anyway. He hated leaving Nix, knowing his Songbird might need him.
Since they’d returned to the Roost yesterday, Lake had yet to see him. Nix hadn’t come out of his room, and Lake hadn’t wanted to intrude with his cousin in there with him, so had spent the night in one of the unused bedrooms instead. He hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to him that morning before leaving either, and knowing that both West and Yejun would stay there was only a small comfort.
It should be him. He’d found Nix. Had claimed him for them first. He should be his shoulder in times of need.
But he was here.
Listening to a bunch of old council members grumble and repeat things he’d known all his life.
“With all due respect, you’re the only one left in line. Taking unnecessary risks at the start of your rule is unwise.” Geri, seated at the other end of the table, had taught Lake when he’d been a kid, and clearly had never shaken the role. When Lake’s father had been alive, he’d put up with it, and Demitrious had advised him to keep the peace all this while.
But Lake was done.
Nix was nonnegotiable. After years of compromising, forcing himself to sit still and listen to others tell him what was best, Lake was over it. He wouldn’t give up his Songbird for the world, and fortunately for him, he didn’t have to.
No matter how much they complained and tried to counsel him otherwise.
“It’s as you’ve said, I’m the last in line.” His gaze hardened. Once he was crowned, he’d be able to tell even the High Council members off. “I’ve bitten him as per the old ways. Phoenix Monroe is mine, and he’ll remain mine. He’ll be up there with me. That’s not up for discussion.”
“We can have it at the end,” Zabs agreed, giving a pointed look around the table to the other five members who remained silent. “It’s a good way to end the ceremony. It’ll start off your rule on a good foot.”
“Everyone is a fan of romance,” Kori quickly added, clearing her throat as soon as Lake’s eyes landed on her.
Everyonewere afraid of these people, including those in Club Essential.
But they all feared Lake.
They’d tried to hide it, but it’d always been apparent to him and those closest to him. Hendrix had tried so hard to woo the Order for that very reason, knowing he’d have no luck convincing the High Council to side with him. They were too invested in bloodlines and tradition, but even the late emperor had worried about Lake, just a little.
That was why she’d sent him away. He’d been shipped to the planet Vitality under the guise of a peace treaty, but in actuality, his relatives had noted the greed growing within him. They’d known he wouldn’t be able to wait decades for the emperor to pass peacefully.
But still. He hadn’t killed her.
How…ironic.
Now that he was set to take the throne, that fear would work in his favor, but before now, it had been the strongest mark against him. The Council might not be the Club, and their sole purpose was meant to aid the emperor, but people were all the same at the end of the day.
They all craved power.
“The sooner we make this official,” Lake said, “the better. For all of us.”
“Agreed,” Zabs bowed her head slightly.
“Terrible business,” Kild, one of Lake’s mother’s friends, said then, “What happened in front of your consort? Hendrix surprised us all with the level of violence he was willing to stoop to.”
