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N iam watched Rufe sit at the foot of the long table beside Draylon and lifted a brow.

“I think he means for you to sit by him,” Draylon murmured. “You are his king consort.”

Would Rufe ever get used to being in front of people instead of simply blending with the surroundings? He rose and made his way to the head of the table, sitting next to Niam where he belonged.

Niam placed his warm hand over Rufe’s, as much to reassure himself as his mate. “You must get used to your place by my side. And lift your sleeve some. Even with your wound bandaged, rumors will spread. What’s the use of having a goddess mark if you don’t intend to use its influence?”

Men and women filed into the conference room; some Niam remembered well, others were unfamiliar faces at the castle.

He recalled with a jolt the many nobles who’d been sentenced to death for their treachery.

Faces flicked through his mind, his heart growing heavy.

So many people tried to depose him. Had he been a bad ruler?

Or had he simply not given them the power they craved?

Lord Whreyn was now dead. The woman he’d tried to force into the position of Niam’s consort had fled. They hadn’t won .

A few gathered around the table eyed Rufe suspiciously while some gave tight smiles. All saw him as an unknown. A woman noticed his bandaged wrist, gasped, and nudged the man beside her.

Willem entered, taking a seat on Niam’s other side. Willem, who’d served Niam as secretary for several seasons. Young, friendly, ambitious… and treacherous. Amazing the information Cass gleaned while questioning the suspected nobles.

Niam addressed the assembly. “Good evening, lords and ladies who I’ve chosen as advisors because of your wisdom and respect among the people.

You’re here because you didn’t fall prey to Lord Whreyn’s machinations.

We are still identifying the members of the nobility who were part of the plot.

The process will take time. However, this kingdom will continue.

“First, I wish to introduce my consort, Rufe Ferund Fjell, heir to the Duke of Haston, in Cormira.” Niam’s heart swelled with pride, simply gazing at the gorgeous man he could now acknowledge openly.

“He also holds the official title of an emissary of Cormira and commander of the Cormiran forces, positions he will soon relinquish.”

Introducing Rufe was the highlight of the meeting. Other tasks wouldn’t be so enjoyable.

Rufe nodded toward Draylon, who likely understood little Delletinian but had sat through enough meetings to know the basics. “We’re also blessed with the presence of Draylon Aravaid, King of Renvalle and brother to emperor Avestan Aravaid. ”

A few gentle murmurs rose from around the room, but Niam caught no derogatory comments.

“It is King Draylon who assisted with troops to repel the Craician attack. When he returns home, he’ll leave some of his soldiers to help us rebuild our forces.

” So many loyal soldiers lost, and likely still some disloyal ones to be rooted out.

Rebuilding would take work. With Rufe by his side, Niam was ready.

When he deemed the kingdom safe again, he’d send for Quillan and Uri.

“Now, for the more unpleasant business. Someone knew my movements, and where I’d be, and reported to Whreyn.

No matter what route we took on my journey to Renvalle and back, we met Whreyn’s men, which tells me the spy had to be close.

I’m not sure why this person would want to harm me or my family, but they tried.

The hardest traitors to stomach are the ones we trust, aren’t they?

The ones we’ve taken as confidants, value as friends.

“With the efficiency he served me, he also served Whreyn.” Niam breathed deeply and exhaled in a long rush. He turned to Willem, who’d served him so well, more hurt than angry. First Zanial, now Willem. “Why, Willem? Were you dissatisfied with your position? With me?”

All color drained from Willem’s cheeks. He threw his chair back, darting for the door.

Draylon caught him with an arm around the waist and hauled him back to his chair. “Sit!” he ordered, positioning himself behind the chair like the soldier he used to be. He might not understand all the conversation swirling around him, but he knew running meant admission of guilt .

“Answer my question,” Niam prodded, keeping his voice emotionless. Until Willem ran, Niam had held out hope that he’d been wrong somehow. His heart broke for the slender young man he’d cared about.

Willem shook, gasping for breath, sweeping his gaze rapidly back and forth.

He’d find no help here. “After Zanial fled, Whreyn needed another spy. He had me beaten and threatened my father. Set fire to our lands. Father said there was no harm in letting those at court know where you were. Wasn’t it my job to keep track of you, anyway? ”

Niam’s heart stuttered. Willem was a traitor regardless of his reasons, and he was unwilling to own his own actions. Niam opened his mouth to order Willem to be taken to a cell when Willem lowered his head.

“I know now what I did was wrong. I nearly brought harm to your family. But I put a condition on what they asked of me.” Willem grew silent.

The man sitting next to Willem jostled his chair. “What condition? Land? Titles? Gold? A higher position in court?”

“No.” Willem raised his head, shimmering gaze meeting Niam’s. “No harm could come to Quillan and Uri.”

Niam’s heart stuttered. “You bargained for my sons’ lives?”

Willem lowered his gaze again. “Yes, Your Majesty. They’re innocent boys.”

Niam growled. “But you didn’t care what happened to me or my mother. ”

“They said you wouldn’t be killed, merely banished.” The words came out plaintive.

“Why did you go along with such a plan?” Fury twisted inside Niam, but he wasn’t sure of the cause. Because Willem didn’t come to him? Whreyn’s treachery? His own inability to see the scope of Whreyn’s plans? Niam fisted his hands before he hit something.

Willem shouted, “Because if I didn’t, Whreyn threatened to kill you all! He would’ve killed me, too, for knowing about his plans!”

Ice froze in Niam’s veins. “You didn’t care to gain power?”

“We had enough. We didn’t need more. Now my father is dead, Your Majesty. Killed last night on your orders. What we had is forfeit. I know I have no right to any favors, but I would ask a life for a life.”

Willem’s father was killed when he’d been coerced. How many others of the guilty had been threatened into following Whreyn? Guilt ate at Niam. He should’ve investigated Willem’s predicament further.

“Your life?” Niam wouldn’t win any respect for playing favorites, but Willem hadn’t betrayed him willingly. Not like Zanial.

“No, Your Majesty. I accept my fate. But in exchange for your sons’ lives, will you spare my younger brothers? They’re nearly of an age with Quillan and Uri, too young to know what my father spoke about to visitors at our home.”

Children. The judgment of the nobles extended to their children. Niam met Rufe’s eyes.

Rufe kept his voice steady, speaking in remarkably good Delletinian.

“There’s not a Cormiran, Glendoran, or Herixian soldier who would violate their oaths to king and kingdom by harming an innocent child.

Many atrocities were committed by Emperor Soland’s orders.

To do so under Emperor Avestan means the perpetrators also face death. ”

Niam sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin. He tuned out all around him, reaching down deep into his heart. After the battle and its aftermath, no one could consider him weak or defenseless. Perhaps he should strengthen the military. “Would you tell me the names of those visitors?”

“Gladly, Your Majesty, but they’ve all been arrested.”

Once more, Niam sought out Rufe.

Rufe. The perfect man to advise Niam about his forces and justice. “You’ve shortchanged yourself,” Niam said, returning his attention to Willem.

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

“You spared four lives, not two. I will be forever grateful for your efforts to save my family. If we’re trading a life for a life, I owe you two more.

” Please let Niam not make a mistake. However, while the people needed to see his firm hand in action when the situation warranted, they also needed to witness his mercy.

Willem’s expression turned hopeful. “Could you please spare my mother? Although she knew of the plot, my father was a hard man. She’d never go against him. Like me, she was content with what we had. She also feared Whreyn.”

Niam took the time to mull over the words. “Your mother and brothers will not threaten me or this kingdom? ”

A note of hopefulness crept into Willem’s tone. “No, Your Majesty. One of my brothers wants to be a scholar. The other plans to serve in the military when he’s old enough.”

Niam met Rufe’s gaze. Rufe gave a barely perceptible nod. “Then allowing them to pursue their dreams is in the kingdom's best interest. That’s still three lives, Willem.”

Willem’s hope evaporated. “I betrayed you. The punishment is death.”

“You bargained for my life.” Though Niam didn’t believe for a single moment that Whreyn wouldn’t have killed Niam, his mother, and his sons, Willem thought he was doing the right thing.

Willem remained quiet, staring at his hands in his lap. So small. So lost. Scarcely older than a boy himself.

Niam raised Willem’s head with two fingers under the chin. “Willem. I am offering you your life. You must vow to me you’ll never attempt to betray me again. You will be watched, but you and your family can remain in your home as long as you abide by Delletinian laws.”

“But I don’t deserve—”

“You don’t deserve to die. Besides, anyone Whreyn sent after us never succeeded. The plot helped me achieve the goal of including our kingdom in the empire. We still haven’t located Zanial.” He’d have a lot to answer for when Niam did.