Chapter 22: What She Wants

"I'll take the chair," I said. "On terms."

The Speaker did not look surprised.

"A Supreme has never been asked to name any."

"Then I'm the first."

A rustle ran through the tiers.

"One," I said. "No child of mine is anyone's property. Not the Council's, not a pack's, not a family's.

"If anyone petitions for my daughter or my son, the petition dies at the clerk's table."

"Granted," said the Speaker.

She said it so fast that I knew she had expected it.

"Two. Ironwood does not have an Alpha because I say so. The pack chooses, and I vote like everyone else."

"Granted."

"Three."

I stopped, and the hall waited, because I had not decided it until that moment.

"A Warden of Cinderfall was stripped of his post last week for keeping my secret," I said.

I did not look at the back of the room.

"A seat on this Council carries a vote. I will cast mine to restore him. On one condition."

"Name it."

"He asks it of me himself. Here. Before you all."

Every head in the hall turned to the last pillar.

Ivo had not moved.

He stood with his hands at his sides, and the plain grey jacket hung a little loose on him.

"Warden Stannard," the Speaker said. "You are invited to speak."

He looked at me.

I had never seen his face so open, and I had never been so angry at it.

"No," he said.

A murmur went around the hall.

"I won't ask for it."

"You don't want the post?"

"I want it more than I can say," Ivo said, in a steady voice. "I lost it fairly, and I would lose it again.

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