“There, good as new.”
“You’re too good at that,” I said, admiring the unblemished material.
“I got it honest. Pops was a butler for some posh creep in the city before they threw him out. Taught me how to keep my nose—and shirt—clean.”
“He’d be proud.”
Kaine snorted a laugh. “Right, I’m sure. Glad he’s already in the grave, because no amount of cleaning spells are going to remove the blood from these hands. Now, are you going to come willingly, or am I going to have to drag you back to the hall?”
“Just a moment longer,” I said, turning back to the bed of wildflowers. I wanted to soak in all I could from that island of peace I’d found there amongst the wheat.
Kaine moved closer, standing beside me as we both looked over the colorful blooms.
“You know, all of a sudden, I’m in no rush.”
“What do you say, Rudderkin?”
The name pulled me back into the present, and I blinked at the man sitting diagonally from me. He looked about my age, with soft green hair the same shade as the lily pads that dotted the pond at Tobias’s family chateau. His leporine ears rose from the crown of his head, pointing straight upward, and one of them twitched ever so slightly as he waited for my reply.
“Forgive me,” I replied, shifting in my seat just enough to relieve the pressure at the base of my tail. “I’m afraid I missed the question.”
The delegates were not amused. Yet, none of them hid their discontent as poorly as the green-haired man who originally voiced the question. His eyes narrowed, nostrils flaring as he sucked in an annoyed breath.
“Delegate Silas was asking if the most recent action from the Council should be considered a violation of the Unseen treaty?” Kaine explained, appearing over my shoulder.
Thank the gods he was listening.
“The answer you’re looking for is yes,” Silas added, leaning forward to prop his elbows on the table. “They have removed us from the Council for the foreseeable future. They give excuses of threats of Mortal uprisings, saying that they cannot continue negotiations whilst under such duress. We told them that the Unseen have been under duress for centuries, and yet we still got our work done.”
“Most of us,” muttered the man beside him, cutting another glance in my direction.
“We cannot be quick to make accusations,” I said, leveling my gaze at Silas. “The Council must have its reasons as to why they have halted negotiations.”
“Because they never wanted them in the first place,” Silas countered. “And now they’ve found their excuse. This situation with the Mortals has come at the worst possible time. I have half a mind to think they drummed it up themselves, just to stall us.”
What Silas didn’t know is that the source of the Council’s turmoil lay sleeping in an apartment on the other side of Paradise. I wasn’t about to divulge that information.
“I will speak with the Council. Surely, they will listen to my concerns. Allow me to retrieve the answer you seek.”
The delegates grumbled amongst themselves.
“And what will you do if they do not agree to resume the negotiations?” asked Silas.
“I willmakethem listen.”
More grumbling.
Delegate Silas’s frown deepened. “This is no longer a battlefield we find ourselves on, Rudderkin. This is politics. And with all due respect, you are ill-equipped to handle the complexities of the tasks ahead.”
A snarl came from behind as Kaine’s fist slammed down on the table beside me, splintering the polished wood.
“You watch your tongue, boyo.”
The delegates' eyes were wide, all except Silas, who merely matched my gaze, not even a glint of fear in his eyes. I placed my hand over Kaine’s, the weight of every lingering eye in the room pressing down on my shoulders.
“You’re right,” I said, addressing Silas. “I’m no politician. I’ve not a fraction of the schooling or refinement that you lot possess. I was a scullery boy before I was a warrior, not even fit to pour afternoon tea. I’m well aware of my limitations, which is why I asked each of you to be here. To fill in the gaps, as it were. And let’s face it, lads. The gaps are wide with me.”
A few snickers were enough to keep me going.
