Elena spread her hands. “Shall we vote, then?”
“I motion we grant a seventh seat to the esteemed General Daz of the Kingdom of Moksh,” Syla said, as they had rehearsed.
“I second it,” she said.
Risha, who had seen this unfold so quickly within her palace, swallowed hard. Then, in a small voice, said, “We move to a vote.”
“Yes,” Syla said.
“Nay,” Kysha hissed.
“Nay,” Farin said, his voice strained.
“Yes,” Bormani said.
“Yes,” Elena said, her heart leaping up her throat as she turned to Risha, the last and final vote. Tsuana, as host of the council, did not usually partake in its affairs. But if a vote to add a seat was called, then all members, even Tsuana, were compelled to cast their ballot. They would need an overwhelming majority to create a new seat. If Risha called nay and ended the vote in a tie, Daz could not join.
And Elena’s final plan, her hope for a vote on Ravani and Sesharian freedom, would fail.
Risha looked at Elena one last time.
Elena breathed out slowly.Remember, she mouthed.
“Tsuana votes,” Risha began, and Elena edged forward. The awful noise of her clamoring heart drowned her ears. She felt stretched thin, as if all her life, all her past actions, all her sacrifices and losses had led to this small, terrible moment. This simple space of seconds.
“Yes.”
For a beat, Elena had not heard her. But then Syla slammed his fist against the table, and Bormani rapped the table with his knuckles, and Daz leaned forward, resting his hand next to hers.
“Thank you,” he said.
Elena blinked, and then it came all at once, the vicious, heady thrill of victory. She looked to Farin, saw the wheels turning in his head. With Moksh on her side, she had the voting majority: Cyleon, Veran, Ravence, and Moksh. Farin had only Karven on his side. Tsuana could not vote except in matters of council structure or in the event of a tie. If Elena were to call a vote for Ravani and Sesharian freedom, he would lose, unless he turned not one, buttwocouncilors against her. She saw him assess this with deep resentment, and when he met her eyes, she could not help but feel vindication, savage and high.
“Queen Risha,” she said over the noise of the flurried attendants, never breaking her gaze, “I call for another vote in favor of Ravani and Sesharian independence. None of us want a long, costly war that disturbs the metal trade. If we agree to the removal of all Jantari troops from Ravani and Sesharian territories, then perhaps the trade can be restored and the costs salvaged.”
“Moksh stands in favor with Queen Elena,” Daz said, and she felt them all quail underneath his discerning gaze. “We stand against Jantar, who seeks only to expand its power until other kingdoms are brought to their knees. But Moksh refuses. We will fight for freedom, however bloody the cause.”
At this, Elena finally allowed herself the pleasure of a self-satisfied smile. She turned to the members of the council, this time making no move to mask the threat. “Ravence and Moksh stand united in favor of Ravani and Sesharian independence. How do my fellow council members vote?”
“Cyleon stands with you,” Syla said.
“As does Veran—”
“Veran?” Farin said suddenly, loudly. “Are you sure, Bormani? Even after the Arohassin tried to kill you?”
Bormani frowned. “How is that related, Farin?”
“The Arohassin sent a man by the name of Yassen Knight. Surely you remember him.”
“I know him well,” he growled.
Elena stilled. Her heart began to beat in a slow, inexorable march, like the beginning of a desert storm. Syla touched her arm. “Queen Risha, let us proceed. We must hold Jantar accountable for attempting to assassinate a council member and breaking the Treaty of Borders.”
But Farin ignored him, turning to Bormani.
“Did you ever find the assassin? Did you findwhereYassen Knight ran off to?” he said, his eyes meeting hers. And Elena felt her heart seize, because she understood, in that instant, she had lost.
Bormani carefully tracked Farin’s gaze to Elena. “Where did he go?”
