Chapter 13: The Law

Nobody on the lawn said a word.

Fourteen enforcers stood frozen to the grass, and every one of them was looking at the old man on his knee.

Priscilla was the first to move.

"It's a trick," she said, and her voice came out high. "Some freak's trick, with frost. She's unwell, Elder. Get up."

"I said be quiet, girl."

The old man didn't raise his voice. He didn't look at her either.

He got up, slowly, and turned to the two elders behind him.

"Both of you know the old books," he said. "Say what the law is."

The two of them looked at each other. Neither spoke.

"Then I will."

He faced the lawn and the men stuck in it, so that all of them could hear.

"When an Alpha refuses a daughter of the Ice Moon line, or is refused by her, his seat is hers. She needs one word to take it."

"One word," he said again. "Nobody has said it in this country for a hundred years, because nobody thought the line could still be found."

Gideon's silver net slid off his arm and landed on the frost.

The frost took hold of it at once.

He didn't pick it up.

Rhys had not moved from my shoulder.

"Nora," he said quietly. "It's yours. You don't have to ask me. Say it, and the Hall is yours tonight."

I turned my head and looked at him.

He meant it. I could see that. He stood with his hands open at his sides and nothing in them.

I should have been glad.

What I felt was tired, and sure.

"No," I said.

The elder frowned. "Princess..."

"My name is Nora. Not yet the other one."

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