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Judging by Cassia’s smile, she was enjoying what she read on the Council’s lips tonight. But the political victory gave Lio little satisfaction. The only reason he could bear to sit in this chair while Cassia’s life was in danger was because he had made way for Kalos. Even now, the scout was in the domain of Patria, searching for the letting site. Lio was counting the hours until he and Cassia could meet Kalos to hear if he had found anything.
As if sensing his troubled thoughts, Cassia reached over and rested her hand on his. Her soft touch sent a thrill through him. This was what it felt like to be allowed to touch her hand in front of the Tenebrans.
The doors banged shut, and Flavian rose from his chair. “Let the Council commence. No petitions will be heard tonight, as there is a matter of grave importance I must bring before you, my lords.”
Lio narrowed his eyes at Flavian. What move would the man attempt this time in his ongoing efforts to save face and regain control?
“I object to this change to the proceedings,” Solia called out. “It was agreed that both contenders would continue to respond to questions from the lords until the last two declare.”
Flavian strode to the dais and turned to face the crowd. “We have no time for questions tonight. A grave danger threatens us all.”
“And what of the danger of a war mage on the loose?” Solia challenged him.
“Yes,” Lio spoke up, “the Hesperine delegation is still waiting for an explanation. How did the hostage we entrusted to you escape? You’ve had over a fortnight to investigate, and yet you have no answers for us or the Allied Lords who share our concerns.”
There came murmurs of assent, and even some bold calls from the lords that their petitions be heard.
Flavian’s expression hardened. “I might well ask you how a mage wearing a traversal cuff managed to magically disappear from the top of a locked tower.”
“Be very careful what you are suggesting, Lord Flavian,” Lio warned him.
“The time for caution is over,” Flavian returned. “I have a serious accusation to make against an enemy in this very room.”
Too late, Lio noticed that Flavian’s guards had quietly moved into position at the ends of each row of chairs. Cassia’s hand tightened on his. The Blood Union went taut with their companions’ readiness for danger.
Lio had thought Flavian’s investigation a sham, but had the man been gathering evidence against the Hesperine delegation? Through the flames that had engulfed the tower room that night, had someone caught a glimpse of them stepping away with the Dexion? Was Lio’s plan about to shatter in their faces?
No diplomatic outcomes ran through Lio’s mind. He felt only one conviction. His first duty was to get Cassia to the letting site. He could not let anything take him from her.
If Flavian’s guards came for him, he would not go quietly.
“What is the meaning of this?” Cassia demanded.
Flavian did not answer, only nodded to his guards. The men closed in.
But not on Lio. They descended on Lord Severin and hauled him out of his father’s Council seat.
Lio, Cassia, and Solia’s allies leapt to their feet. Hoyefe’s hand was already on his sword.
“Unhand me!” Severin tried to shrug off the guards, but they tightened their grasp. “You have no right!”
“How dare you assault a member of the Council?” Lord Gaius shouted.
“He has betrayed the Allied Lords,” Flavian announced.
The guards brought Severin before Flavian. The blond lord held up his hands. “There is no need for violence. Let us discuss this like the honorable men we are. State your accusations against me, that I may defend myself.”
“Lord Severinus the Younger,” Flavian said, “you are under arrest for spying for the tyrant king and attempting to smuggle our secrets out of Patria. You have sought to undermine the rule of law and subvert the will of the Council of Free Lords. You will be held in my custody while you await your trial, which is to take place after the new monarch is crowned.”
“This is a lie!” Severin backed away from Flavian, turning to face everyone else, his voice full of appeal. “The king tried to assassinate my father. He sent heart hunters to kill me. Why would I spy for him?”
“You wouldn’t,” Flavian said, “but your father would. We all know how hostile he is to Hesperines. I suspect that he chose Lucis, the specter he knows, over the foreign evil of Orthros. And when he demanded you spy for them, you had no choice but to obey, lest he disinherit you.”
“I went to Orthros,” Severin protested. “I signed the treaty, and I have been faithful to the Allied Lords, despite the risk to myself.”
“But we all know where your ultimate loyalty lies.” Flavian’s tone softened, his aura full of regret. “With your people. For their sake, you would do anything to keep your position as your father’s heir.”
Severin straightened, mustering his dignity. “These are baseless accusations. You have no proof.”
