Chapter 9: Day Seven

The Royal Council met in a round hall of grey stone, and on the seventh day every bench was full.

The new king sat on a plain chair at the head of the room with a council elder on each side.

He was younger than I had expected, with tired eyes, and he listened to everything.

Alastair stood at the Stonecrown rail with Ansley beside him in white.

Hortense sat behind them in the front row.

Caleb stood at my left shoulder in dress uniform, and Keely stood at my right with the black case.

"Lady Rosalind Ferris," the king said. "Alpha Runciman tells me you were given seven days to answer a question. Have you an answer?"

Alastair had told the Crown himself. Of course he had.

"I have, Your Majesty."

I stepped out into the middle of the floor.

My hands were cold, and I kept them at my sides.

"Alpha Runciman asked me to accept a marriage to his deputy commander, Caleb Ostrow, once our own marriage is dissolved," I said. "I accept."

A murmur ran around the benches.

Alastair's shoulders came down a fraction.

I saw Ansley's hand slide into his.

"Thank you," Alastair said, almost under his breath.

"I accept because I choose him," I said. "Not because Alpha Runciman chose him for me."

The murmur stopped.

I turned a little, so the benches could see my face.

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