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Gavin scurried in and headed for the far corner. No one looked at him. They were all focused on her. Arianna swallowed hard and walked in, reminding herself that they’d invited her and she wasn’t intruding.
Arianna was suddenly glad for the weapons she’d brought. The council studied Talon and for a moment, she feared they might order him to leave. Would she walk out with him, or demand he be allowed to stay?
Their gazes shifted, turning . . . softer. Kinder. Welcoming.
The male who’d escorted her through the city addressed her first. “Please, join us.” He gestured to a pair of chairs across the round table.
They sat when she did, still smiling. Talon took up a position at her left, standing close with his hands clasped behind his back.
The door opened again and Arianna twisted in her seat to find Niall pausing on the threshold. He glanced at the large clock hanging on the rear wall and sighed in relief. “For a second I thought myself late.”
“My lord.” A female with straight black hair and thin frame rose, but Niall gestured for her to remain seated. “Since we’re all present, should we begin early?”
They nodded and shuffled the papers before them. Niall crossed the room and pulled out the only remaining chair at her side but thankfully slid it an entire foot away before sitting down.
She exhaled in relief. Close, but not too close. She wasn’t sure if he’d care about the promise he’d made to Rion without her mate present. She hoped Rion hadn’t felt too much of her anxiety. The last thing she wanted was for him to come barreling through the doors before introductions had even been made.
The guard stationed at the door closed it and everyone in the room fell silent. They were staring at her, waiting, and for a moment Arianna wondered if they expected her to speak first. She was their queen, but Ellie was the one who’d always been present during her father’s council meetings.
“Forgive us,” Niall said, startling her. “We’re a bit excited to be in your presence.” He gestured to the other four in the room, seeming to ignore Gavin in the far corner. “Some of us have waited a very long time to meet you and we often wondered if we’d fade from existence before we were given the chance.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands on the table. “But now you’re here.” Niall gave a nervous laugh. “And probably more than a bit overwhelmed yourself.”
Arianna let her shoulders relax. “A bit,” she admitted.
“Let’s start with introductions then, shall we?” Niall gestured to the first male, the one who’d escorted her to the manor. His deep set eyes were kind, and now that she wasn’t overwhelmed by the sounds and smells of the city streets, Arianna could focus on him.
“This is Declan. He oversees Ruadhán’s main affairs, works with the other council members when shifting supplies and finances, and is also head of decisions when I’m not available.”
“It’s a pleasure to officially be introduced, My Lady.” The male stood and bowed at the waist. Shaggy brown hair hung to his chin and when he looked at her again, she noted his deep brown eyes. Arianna scented the air. Fiadh. The male was definitely from Fiadh.
Niall pointed to the female at Declan’s side. The same one who’d stood to greet him. “Meegan oversees the guards stationed throughout the city and keeps careful tabs on any skirmishes that arise between nations. Should we ever find ourselves faced with the possibility of confrontation, she’ll be the one we turn to.” Brónach.
Meegan bowed and sat back. The female might have been small, but something in her steely onyx gaze told Arianna she wasn’t to be trifled with.
The next male stood without Niall’s prompting. Short cropped light blond hair, bright blue eyes, and definitely from Móirín. “I’m Felic, overseer of the city’s finances. Should you ever need to enter the vault, please don’t hesitate to ask.” Arianna watched his fingers wrap around something beneath his tunic. A key? The male bowed, then sat again.
“And finally we have our dear Fina who has studied the ancient texts for centuries and has memorized every line written therein.”
The female stood, but the seriousness behind her hazel gaze made Arianna want to run the other direction. Her skin was so pale it seemed to be crafted of marble and her waist length black hair did nothing to add warmth to her cheeks. Courtesy of too much time spent within a temple.
Small beads were woven through her hair and she wore gold bracelets and a necklace carrying a pendant that depicted a crescent moon with a star in the center.
The chosen symbol of those who worshiped The Divine.
She rapped long fingernails on the table. “The mistreatment of our fellow priest will not be overlooked. We expect an apology and an offering to be made at the cathedral.”
“Fina,” Niall’s tone was a warning and the way they glared at one another told Arianna they’d had this conversation already.
But she slammed her hand on the table. “We will not be ridiculed. What they did to our brother was of the highest disrespect and we demand retribution.”
“I’m sorry,” Arianna said carefully. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”
Arianna swore the female’s temple pulsed. “That creature you let accompany you stripped one of our brothers of his robes and stuffed him into a wagon as if he were nothing more than a trunk of luggage.” Arianna groaned, knowing full well her sister was to blame.
“Later,” Niall hissed, his tone far sharper than before. This time the female straightened. She still wore an irritated expression, but Fina sat back in her seat and crossed her arms. Pádraigín. Arianna might have asked the female about their mysterious city if she didn’t look so ready to murder someone.
Niall sighed. “Forgive that . . . outburst, if you can.”
Fina visibly pouted. How was Arianna supposed to make it up to them? And what kind of offering did they want? Hopefully nothing of the living variety.
