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Heloïse was laughing, a low gurgling laugh. If Nadine had not known her better she would have missed the edge of desperation in her voice.
“Marry me,” Heloïse repeated.
I should not. She doesn’t know what she is saying.
Oh, but I love her.
She hooked a hand around Heloïse’s neck and drew her into an even deeper kiss.
“I will,” she said hoarsely. “For now and forever. For all our lives to come.”
* * *
IN THE SILENCE of the audience chamber, Emma Iani approached those final few steps to stand beside Baron Eckard. She and Eckard had rehearsed the exchange throughout the past two weeks, refining and revising the challenge to Kosenmark and the council. Even so, it took all her courage to face Lord Raul Kosenmark today.
His gaze settled upon her. Easily, one might have said, except for the quick pulse at his throat, and the paleness of his face. When his lips drew back in a lupine smile, she scowled and had the gratification of seeing the blood flush along his cheeks.
“I told you, I will not,” he said.
“A child’s answer,” she said. “A stupid, selfish answer, from a man who wishes to avoid any responsibility.”
“You think—”
“I think nothing,” Emma Iani said. “I merely observe.”
For a very long moment, they stared at each other. I should be afraid, Emma thought. If I succeed …
Raul blew out a breath and lowered his head. “You think me a coward.”
“Of course. What else would stop you from taking the throne, when no one else could? Self-doubt?” She laughed softly. “You doubted yourself once and a dozen times, but surely the support of many dozens of nobles, and many more thousands of citizens, should overcome that doubt.”
He shook his head. “You do not understand. I do not wish the crown.”
“There are many things I do not wish,” she replied sharply. “My husband’s grief and illness. Lord Dedrick’s death. If I had what I wished, you would not have sent Benno into Markus Khandarr’s traps.”
“So you claim I owe you a debt.”
“No. I say you owe the kingdom a debt.”
For a terrible moment, she feared she had overreached and he might walk away from this council chamber and Duenne itself. If she could have summoned magic to bind him to her, she would have in this moment. But it was Benno who had mastered such spells, not she. All she could do was silently urge Raul to accept the crown.
His mouth curved in a mocking smile, as if he could read her thoughts. “Then you claim it is what the gods require. How interesting.”
“No,” she said quietly. “It is what the citizens of Veraene wish, and you know it. Raul…” She drew a long breath, considered once more how to convince this stubborn man to give over his useless and dangerous doubts.
He tilted his head and regarded her with narrowed eyes. It was as if they stood alone in a room, not before a thousand nobles, all watching and straining to hear their words.
“I would beg,” she said. “I would grovel. Do anything. Not for myself. Certainly not for you, my friend. We are nothing, except as we serve the kingdom. That is why I joined your shadow court. That is why I am here today. I and Benno and all your other friends—”
“But not Ilse Zhalina.”
That checked her. “No,” she admitted. “Ilse would not, though I asked her. She told me she would never build a cage for you of her expectations. You must choose freely. I am not like her. I will stand here until you truly and honestly consider the matter, even if, in the end, you still choose to abandon the kingdom to another’s rule. But Raul … You are what Veraene needs. It is not wrong for you to take power, as long as you use it for what is right.”
“Ah,” he breathed. “That is the true question.”
He bowed his head and said nothing more. All around them, voices swelled up in a hundred different conversations, the steward was calling for order, while the councillors demanded a formal vote on the matter. Raul seemed oblivious to it all. Only when Baron Eckard came forward and laid a hand on Raul’s shoulder did he finally lift his head. The two exchanged a look—old friends, even older than she and Benno. Eckard bent close and murmured something inaudible. Raul finally smiled, albeit a painful one. Then he nodded.
Emma released a shaking breath. She felt Benno’s warm hand clasp hers, steadying her.
