“The honor is mine,” Sean said—his stock answer.
He bowed again. “I am Council leader. I have served as leader for these ninety-seven years past and served as a courtier at the Seelie Court for longer than that. Everyone at this table has much experience to offer.”
“Wow.” Sean glanced at the others. “I hate to intrude.”
“Nonsense,” Nish said. “We welcome your guidance.”
What guidance?he was tempted to ask.
Kywyn extended an arm toward the round table, and Sean settled into the seat he indicated. His father sat to his left while Bel took the chair to his right.
“Does Autumn not sit on the Council?” Sean whispered toward Bel.
An indulgent laugh burst from the woman beside Isobel. “Lady Autumn has little patience. She attends the meetings that are required and nothing more. Today we only want to meet you.”
Seven others occupied the table. Nish sat directly across from Sean.
Kywyn addressed them all. “I’ve been helping Caden get up to speed, but there’s still much we haven’t discussed.”
“Of course,” Nish said. “This is a joyous time, but I understand it may be daunting.”
Sean shifted in his seat. “Er—yeah. A little.”
“Let us start at the beginning. As a Sovereign, you assume your place as a noble in the Seelie Court, just as the other Sovereigns of their races have done. The four of you are our figureheads, the descendants of our noble houses. And now that you’ve reached an age, you are expected to serve on this governing Council as your predecessors did.”
“And what exactly is this Council?” Sean asked.
“We handle disputes, complaints, and make decisions for our people when necessary. We rule on minor transgressions and provide support to the Queen.”
Sean took the time to study each of them, clueless to their ages. “How did you all come to be on this Council?”
“’Tis a lifetime appointment. When one rejoins the Light, another is assigned.”
“By who?”
Nish looked tempted to laugh. “By this Council, of course.”
Of course? Was he supposed to make that leap?
Nish continued, “We will plan for your coronation soon, marking your formal investiture?—”
“Along with the heir of Manae,” Sean said.
He hesitated, his mouth hanging open mid-sentence before he recovered. “Yes, of course. As a noble descendant, the heir of Manae will also receive his due crown, but he is not to serve on this Council. While the four of you hold the Sovereign titles, this Council is our true governing body. The heir of Manae’s skills are better utilized elsewhere.”
So well said. This man was certainly a politician, but couldn’t he see that this was prejudice at its most pure? The injustice of it burned under Sean’s skin. Were theytryingto force David to follow his ancestor’s footsteps?
Nish continued, “Please, let us introduce ourselves.”
The strangers at the table took turns presenting themselves, and Sean forced himself to pay attention to every detail, memorize every name. He spent time speaking to each of them, and when the last woman—a dryad named Heleta with dark skin, a deep laugh, and reddish braids—gave her history, everyone at the table was chuckling and telling Sean stories.
“Remember when…”
“Tell him about the time…”
“…and she never saw it coming!”
Sean laughed along, but the tension in his nerves climbed higher as the certainty that he didn’t belong settled deep. In a lull, he set his hands flat on the table. “So, what exactly are you expecting of me?”
