“Don’t back down.” Darius leant over from his seat next to me.
I shot him a glare. “I won’t.”
“And leave Graves out of this meeting for now,” he whispered. “It’s not the moment to discuss Graves’s claims over the Moon Court.”
“I know.” I gritted my teeth.
He frowned. “No need to be so aggressive. You’re too nervous.”
I exhaled. “Fine.”
Tea and sandwiches were served, and of course Darius didn’t miss the opportunity to take his fill.
“Dukes of the Dark Court and of the Moon Court, I believe you’ve had enough time to consider my proposal.” Esmeralda sipped her tea as if this were a mere afternoon party. “I would like to reduce the use of unnecessary magic and in general, to restrict it. Knight? What’s your opinion on the matter?”
He swept his gaze around the table. “There are no wizards or witches in my court.”
“For now.” I pretended not to know about his rather delicate situation. “What if a witch wants to join you?”
Knight didn’t flinch. “The Moon Court is for werewolves only.”
A murmur spread through the fairies.
“Dear Knight.” Esmeralda selected a pastry covered in pink frosting. “I reckon the former Moon Duke was more open-minded. He allowed different supernatural beings to live on his land.”
He whipped his head towards her like a hound who had spotted a squirrel. “Only to mistreat them. He burdened them with unreasonably high taxes and sometimes beat them if they didn’t pay. If a wizard or witch wants to live in Whitechapel, I have no objection. But they will abide by the rules of the court, or they won’t be protected by me and my werewolves. In any case, they won’t have any say in the court’s matters.”
Darius shifted nervously on his seat. Irene stiffened.
“The Dark Court includes witches,” I said. “I won’t ask them to limit their powers.”
Darius finished swallowing the sandwich. “Magic is part of us mages. And why should only mages be affected by this restriction?”
I leant back in the chair. “I won’t sign the bill.”
Esmeralda wiped her lips with a delicate gesture. “Ravenhill, you might want to reconsider, because if you don’t change your mind, I might invoke Merlin’s Act.”
I clenched my jaw. Esmeralda wasn’t playing nicely.
Knight gave me a puzzled expression. “What the hell is that?”
“Language!” Esmeralda sounded outraged.
“It’s an ancient act,” I said. “It has been used only once. In case of a severe crisis, the duke or duchess who has been in charge of their court for longer can appoint themselves as the supreme ruler of all courts, and enact the bills considered necessary to restore peace.”
“That’s absurd.” Knight thumped the table. “The whole point of a discussion among the courts would be naught.”
“That sounds like something the ancient Romans would do,” Irene said. “The last time they appointed a dictator, it didn’t end well.”
“It’s a matter of safety.” Esmeralda raised her voice. “We must be careful because humans might get hurt or discover our existence, and they possess war machines capable of wiping us out.”
“We’re very careful.” Knight almost growled. If he could use his power, I was sure he would grow fur. “And there’s no crisis now.”
Esmeralda arched a sceptical eyebrow. “With due respect, Knight, you and Ravenhill have been dukes for a short time. You conquered your positions through violence and blood. I’ve been the Fair Duchess for over five centuries, and the Fair Court has never had an insurrection or a war. You will excuse me if I don’t find your arguments reassuring.”
“That’s…” Darius paused. “… unfair. Koschei was a real threat to humans, yet you didn’t intervene. Ravenhill isn’t a threat.”
Esmeralda was flustered. “I didn’t intervene because I thought I had an understanding with Koschei. He tricked me. I’m not proud of that, but I’m being honest.”
