A Time of Blood (Of Blood and Bone #2) - John Gwynne Page 0,66
a lot of that, lately.
“Anything else?” Kol asked.
“Aye. We will decide on who will become the new Lord Protector,” Kamael said.
In a heartbeat Kol was on his feet, face a handspan from Kamael. To his credit, Kamael stood his ground, did not recoil or flinch.
“That is already decided,” Kol said. “The people have spoken.”
“Sariel says differently,” Kamael said. “We Ben-Elim have not decided, and we both know that is all that matters.”
He dismisses us like we are worthless insects. Riv realized she still considered herself human, not Ben-Elim, despite the obvious reminder of her mixed heritage that was sprouting from her back.
“We shall see,” Kol said.
“Yes,” Kamael agreed. “Will you attend the Moot?”
“Of course,” Kol said, and waved his hand in dismissal, turning away and returning to his seat.
Kamael stood and stared at him, then disdainfully threw the rolled-up parchment onto the table and walked away. He did not glance at the Ben-Elim guard as he stepped from the high tower window. A beat of his wings and he was gone.
Hadran looked out of the window, watching Kamael’s departure.
Kol took the parchment and broke the seal, unrolled and read it. Sneered and tossed it over his shoulder.
“Sariel is determined to be a thorn in my flesh,” he snarled.
“You have the people’s vote,” Lorina said. “Most of Drassil is behind you.”
“It is the Ben-Elim I must contend with,” Kol said. “They have to support my claim if my rule is to last.”
“You have over a thousand Ben-Elim who have pledged their allegiance to you,” Aphra said.
“Aye. But there are more than three thousand of my brothers in these Banished Lands. I need a majority.”
“Who else could rule, if not you?” Lorina said.
Kol pulled a face, which Riv thought meant no one.
He has always been arrogant, but that is a Ben-Elim trait, not confined to Kol.
“Sariel is my only real threat. He has governed the south of the Lands of the Faithful for half a hundred years, has fought campaigns there, exterminating the Vin Thalun pirates, stamping on all opposition to the yoke of the Ben-Elim. He has many supporters from that region, both Ben-Elim and White-Wings.”
“We have come this far, are so close,” Lorina said. “Sariel will not stop us now.”
“I hope you are right,” Kol muttered, tapping his teeth with a thumbnail. He sipped his wine, brooding darkly.
“I want to go back to Aphra’s barracks,” Riv said into the growing silence.
Kol looked at her and frowned. Riv saw a gentle smile touch Aphra’s face.
“I am sick of being hidden away,” Riv said.
Sick of being around you every waking breath, Kol.
“I am concerned for your safety,” Kol said.
“My safety?” Riv snorted, glancing at the scar on her shoulder.
“That was before I knew you were my daughter,” Kol said.
Riv stared at him.
“I have much resting upon you, Riven ap Kol,” Kol said, humour in his eyes.
“But you would not call me your daughter in public,” she snapped.
Not that I want you to.
“Of course not. It’s better that your parentage remains nameless. You are a symbol of past crimes, a symbol of forgiveness, and of hope for the future. Best to leave it at that.”
Because you would not be so popular if everyone knew you were the father who committed the sin.
“I still want to go back to Aphra’s barracks,” Riv said.
“Perhaps it would help your cause against Sariel?” Aphra said.
Kol raised an eyebrow.
“What you said in the hall,” Aphra said, “stirred people’s blood, won their sympathy, but they were just words. If people saw those words in action—Riv bridging that gap between Ben-Elim and us… then it would only cement the step you have made.”
“Yes, your point is well made,” Kol said. “But what if harm were to come to her?”
“Guards?” Lorina said.
“A few, in the shadows. Not so many that she looks like a prisoner,” Aphra said.
They are talking about me as if I am not a person.
Riv ground her teeth.
“Very well,” Kol said. “You may go back to Aphra’s barracks and be free to roam Drassil, within reason. Train in the weapons-field, if you will. With guards. I’ll set some of my Ben-Elim to watch over you. And Aphra, some White-Wings, please.”
“Of course,” Aphra said.
Kol looked at Riv’s wings, furled behind her. “You may even train with us Ben-Elim, soon. I’ll teach you how better to use those.” He nodded to Riv’s wings.