Way too hard.
I clear my throat. “So, you say that some whores deserve to be praised, while others can be left in the streets to be drugged and sold into slavery against their will? How’s that fair?”
Nobleman Alberich shrugs. “Life’s not fair.”
I manage not to roll my eyes.
“I hear your concerns, Noblemen,” I say. “However, I won’t allow my Ezkai or my government to stand and watch innocent lives go to waste any longer. It’s time for things to change.”
“Change,” Nobleman Alberich sneers. “Changing something that works is a waste of time and precious resources. You might not know yet all the intricacies of Ekios society and politics due to your youth and lineage, but this is beyond reckless. We’re balancing a very dangerous line here, General.”
The air in the auditorium shifts at his words. Many fae here may think a human Ezkai General, and one so young, scandalous. But none have the balls to voice it. Silence stretches, tense enough I can slice through it with one of my blades strapped to my thigh.
If I let this one slide, it will be a sign of weakness.
It will show these greedy nobles that they can walk all over me and face no consequences.
I lift my chin and look at Nobleman Alberich. “Yes, Nobleman.You’rebalancing a very dangerous line here.”
He hesitates only for a heartbeat, eyes widening a fraction.
Nobleman Alberich bows his head and presses a fist over his heart. “Please forgive me, General. I didn’t mean to offend your honor.”
Hundreds of eyes are on me.
Noire’s gaze is the most pressing, but I don’t dare look his way. I don’t want to be known as the Ezkai General who can’t make a decision without their Taaslord’s approval.
“I am sure you didn’t,” I say after a pause. “But as you’re so eager to advocate for the old ways and Ekios following the traditions, I’ll have you and your family exiled from Jaakii for disrespecting your Ezkai General as it’s accustomed by the old laws. Your exile will last for seven full moons, or until I reign no more. Only then are you allowed to come back to the city and claim your House Dzuni seat back.”
I brace for the arguing and fighting. But none come.
The silence in the auditorium continues as Nobleman Alberich rises from his seat and two of my Ezkai escort him out of the auditorium. He doesn’t even look up, his head bowed in defeat. But I don’t miss the way the muscle in his jaw ticks.
This show of power will come to bite me in the ass.
CHAPTER TWO
PHOENIX
“Can I offer a word of advice as your closest confidant and advisor?” Noire’s voice is smooth.
With a sigh, I plop on my chair and put my legs on top of the table in the war room. It’s just the two of us now. Finally, a peaceful moment.
“Go ahead, Noire.”
Noire glides—not walks,glides—over to the window and looks at the sky. He claps his hands behind his back and takes a deep inhale. He exhales, and then looks over at me.
“Leading from a place of frustration will only result in more frustration.”
“Alberich deserved it,” I say flatly. “He and Yoni are pushing against this too hard. They must be in on this with Caligos. Have you checked for any financial affiliations between the noblemen and the Caligos organization? Banishing Alberich eliminates at least one in-house threat.”
“Nobleman Alberich is not one of the Caligos. He only barks loud, but has barely any bite,” Noire says. “Nobleman Yoni, on the other hand…His family is one of the Caligos families.”
My jaw drops and I lean forward, planting my feet on the floor. “You know that for certain? You have evidence? And you haven’t done anything about it?”
Noire smiles. It’s a sad smile full of heartbreak. “Tackling one Caligos family means tackling all of them at once. That’s the way things go with Caligos, it’s the reason why they have survived so long and have grown into the power they hold now. Kitajo was the only Ezkai General in history brave enough to attempt such a feat. We were very close, oh, so close. Look where that got him.” He pauses and turns away from me, towards the window. “I would rather you not face the same fate, General. Maybe we should focus on other areas that need your attention instead of starting your reign with such a controversial show of power.”
“I appreciate your concern, Noire, but I’m going to pass that law. I owe Vera that much. She may not b—be here anymore, but her legacy must survive. I promised her.”
