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My ears filtered out every other word being said, every voice except Veyka’s.

Wine, Councilor Teo?

Wine, Councilor Elora?

“Wine, Brutal Prince?”

“No,” I said, trying to meet her eyes.

But they were trained studiously on the ground, away from me, away from all the other members of the royal council.

Veyka moved past me to pour wine for the one she’d called Roksana.

“We have much to accomplish before Mabon,” Esa began. The cloudy pale blue stone before her seemed to glow slightly as she spoke. “It has been weeks since the court has received petitioners. I will—”

“Forgive my intrusion, Councilor Esa. But I believe with His Highness now in residence, that is no longer under your purview,” Roksana said, drumming her fingernails against the table, giving the appearance of boredom.

Esa’s face remained calm, unlined. I waited to interject, despite the direct reference. I’d told myself I would observe this meeting, rather than interfere with it.

I tried to read the expressions of the other councilors assembled—Elora, who bore an uncanny resemblance to the forward-speaking Roksana; Noros, who was observing it all with eyes akin to a fox; Teo, whose heavy brow ridges had been fixed in the same brooding frown from the moment I entered the room.

Each of them was in perfect control of their emotions. Or at least enough to fool me, an outsider. If I ruled here for five hundred years, I doubted I would have that sort of control over my temper. The beast inside of me would not allow it.

“The Queen has not requested that the ruling of our fair kingdom be returned to her charge,” Esa said, each word measured to the fraction of an inch.

I felt the disbelief as it etched itself across my face.

It could not be true.

Veyka Pendragon had never expected to be Queen of the Elemental Fae or High Queen of Annwyn—no more than I had. But this… to surrender control of her kingdom…

That nonchalance on her face… it was not because she was trying to hide her emotions. It was because she did not care.

The sound of wine splashing into Councilor Noros’ cup pierced into my consciousness.

Cupbearer. Veyka was not a participant in the meeting.

Not only had she given up any responsibility for the Kingdom of the Elemental Fae and the fae residing within it, she’d lowered herself to pouring the drinks of those she’d given it up to.

I’d seen enough carnage on the battlefield to wreck the stomach of a much stronger male. Ancestors, I’d been the one to inflict it.

But this was the closest I’d felt to my stomach turning over in the last hundred years.

And the cause of it? She refused to look at me, refused to look at anyone. When she finished pouring the last goblet of wine, she retreated to stand against the wall. Even the color of her gown matched the goldstone—as if she hoped she might disappear right into it and be absolved of any responsibility.

Hate was not a strong enough word. Utter loathing. For her, for what she’d done, and for the fact that I was going to be saddled with her for the rest of my immortal life.

The discussion about petitioners continued. I forced myself to listen to it. This was a power struggle I’d walked into, I began to realize.

Veyka had given up her ruling powers to this council—which was why Esa had tried to keep me out of it. When we were joined, Veyka and I would be crowned High Queen and King of Annwyn. This council would dissolve to be replaced by another of Veyka and I’s choosing. It only existed now to rule the Kingdom of the Elemental Fae in the interim since the death of Uther, then Arthur. But Veyka should have sat at its head. Not demurring against the wall.

Esa would retain her power only until the Joining, or until I could convince Veyka to demand control back sooner.

“What do you think, Your Highness?” Roksana said, turning her eyes to me expectantly.

I needed time to think—time to decide how to get Veyka to give a damn. I wished I’d let Veyka pour me some wine just so I would have some reason to delay a few moments.

“Veyka and I will receive the petitioners,” I said slowly.