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What he was about to do would put him in jeopardy.
Neither he nor the members at his back were royals. They had served on the Council for centuries and that gave them all a sense of power.
The Queen was not just a Royal, but a Daoine Royal., Daoine Fae were the highest caste of Fae with the most magical and scientific abilities imaginable. He knew she was respectful of the Council’s position in her reign, and would not use those powers against them.
Her renowned abilities were formidable. With the flick of her wrist she could send them to cool their heels in the middle of a mountain, where she could trap them for eternity if she so desired. What he was attempting to do, was dangerous to them all, but more so for him. He believed the Queen had never really liked or respected him.
Even so, he depended on her sense of fair play. She would hear them out. She was not yet prepared to harm any of them. She just was not that sort and that was another of her failings.
He would cut down his enemies before they could strike.
She, on the other hand, would first attempt to show the members they had made a grave mistake. She would attempt to talk sense into them and show them their failed logic, easing them into backing down. Her diplomacy was always though charming and quite convincing, undeniable in its might. He would have to be cunning and make it impossible for them to do so.
He could smell the fear on some of them at his back. He could sense the sudden indecision in others as he raised his hand and pounded fiercely at her door.
Her voice when it invited him in was such that he experienced a moment’s weakness. She seemed too confident, for surely she knew who was on the other side of her door and why they were there.
Some of the members began to murmur to one another as he raised his hands. “There is no turning back. We are here to do the right thing for our fellow Fae and our lives here in Tir”
“Enter,” said Queen Aaibhe.
He opened the door wide so that she could see in one fell swoop of her glance who was backing him up.
Her head was held high. Her smile, was as always confident and when she directed it at him, contemptuous.
She would see now what he could do!
He looked back at the members he had collected and nodded encouragingly at them. He could almost feel a few of them tremble.
He thought them, cowards. He could see the worry flit across even his most reliable followers’ faces.
He smiled at them and then led them a few feet into her chamber and then all at once stopped.
Queen Mab had been out on Aaibhe’s balcony communicating silently with Deimne. With Banzar’s entrance, she stepped into view. Her brows arched. She had an arrogant expression on her lovely face. She had been alive and the ruler of the Daoine Fae for over one hundred thousand years. She was Aaibhe’s cousin and she did not look pleased.
Banzar was momentarily taken by surprise, then hit with a sense of unease. The members at his back were astounded and a few of them stepped backward, their heads lowered respectfully.
Queen Aaibhe stood tall and regal, exquisite as always. Queen Mab took a few strategic steps and stood right by her side.
Alone, Queen Aaibhe was a commanding presence, but with her cousin by her side, Mab the Queen of the Daoine, the Council was completely undone by the might both matriarchs.
Banzar had not expected this. He silently chastised himself for walking into it unguarded. Daoine never visited Tir. The Seelie always thought them too arrogant and never gave them much thought, but he should have known.
He should have realized that the Daoine would fight the onslaught of the Unseelie.
For a moment he was overwhelmed with the task he had set for himself.
This was a serious complication.
His obsession had made him reckless. He felt it was the moment to make his move regardless of Queen Mab’s presence. He could not keep the Council members on the edge teetering to his side much longer. He could almost feel their retreat behind him.
Neither Queen spoke, but their mood was palpable.
Banzar cleared his throat and his voice squeaked out of him and as he heard himself. He attempted to gain control of his nerves as he said, “I regret, Queen Aaibhe, that I must inform you, we have taken a vote and have found that you have broken Seelie Fae law.”
Queen Mab clicked her tongue and looked at Aaibhe, “How do you suffer these fools?”
Aaibhe smiled softly at her and turned to Banzar. “Indeed, why don’t you tell me how I have done so.”
