Page 27 of The Nymph King

A long silence stretched through the room. “Is that a threat?” Ellisar asked quietly.

“It’s a fact,” Imani responded without moving her face.

He gave her a flat look. “Appearing in my house with something that looks like the crown proves exactly that. Tanyl can make the same display, and Gavin’s account does not turn appearance into proof.” Ellisar sat up and set his wand on the table in front of him. “What do you know about what you’re up against when it comes to Tanyl?”

She shifted slightly in her seat. “I don’t know much. News doesn’t spread that quickly to a closed-off kingdom like Niflheim.”

“And I’ve heard rumors that you’re the new Niflheim king’s heartmate. He didn’t confide in you?”

“My heartmate doesn’t matter right now. Besides, it was a strategic alliance then and nothing more. I’m not one for sentimentality—you’ll find my pragmatism outweighs any feelings I have for the king,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.

“Ahh, what kind of pragmatism is it to show up here, uninvited, after being exiled and told not to return?”

This wasn’t going well.

“I was hoping you’d see reason and recognize the truth of what this is. An opportunity.”

“An opportunity for what?”

“A chance to improve things for the Norn people with a Norn queen wearing the crown.”

“Would you do that for people who kicked you out of your home as a child?”

Imani bowed her head toward Ellisar in respect. “I understood and accepted that decision a long time ago; it doesn’t mean I still don’t hold great affection for this place or the Norn people in general.” Her voice was quiet.

Ellisar hummed neutrally in response, as if agreeing.

Impatience rose within her. They didn’t have time for this verbal sparring. “So, what’s your decision, High Sentinel?” Imani used his title to keep things civil.

Ellisar swept his hand across the room. This is my counsel. We make most major decisions by vote, with my verdict as the final call.”

“How democratic of you,” Imani murmured, glancing around the room. It was quite crowded.

“All right. Since removing the crown is so dangerous, I will be the one to volunteer.”

Protests erupted around the room. “Your life is too important, Ellisar,” a woman near Imani said.

A sudden, sharp protest also rose in Imani. “I agree,” she interjected. “Your life shouldn’t be forfeit for this,” she said, shaking her head. “Because I am the true heir, you will die.”

“I’m aware.”

The simplicity of it made her sit straighter. “Then don’t do it,” she said, nearly sputtering.

His jaw ticked. When he answered, his tenor held no bravado.

“I have buried enough people because someone with authority decided another person’s life was an acceptable risk.” Ellisar put his wand on the table and steepled his hands. “I have sent soldiers into places I would have preferred to enter myself. I have watched leaders protect their own lives while ordering other people to gamble theirs. Sometimes there was no alternative.” A beat. “Sometimes there was.”

Imani couldn’t find the words to respond.

“If I am asking this council to believe the crown is worth testing, then I do not get to put that test into someone else’s hands simply because my life is considered more valuable.”

“But it is more valuable,” Imani argued.

His blue eyes held hers. “I am responsible for the risks I ask my people to take. That means there are moments when I take them first.”

Another man stepped in. “We have criminals in the dungeons who can volunteer.”

Ellisar shot him a hard look.