Bounty Hunter (The Black Tulip Chronicles #1)

45. Nadiette

Chapter 45

Nadiette

King’s Council

T he four low kings sit around the table, all with various expressions, most displaying frowns bordering on confusion on why they were called to a King’s Council, and their High King isn’t at the head of the table. Strange how an empty chair can have as much presence as a filled one.

I stand. “I am here on behalf of the High King?—”

Drade speaks up, not attempting to hide his irritation. “This is unheard of, an abuse of the council.” His voice is like ice.

He’s joined by other mumbles of assent. I hurriedly continue, aware that I’m close to losing control of the room.

“The High King has gone in search of a Queen of the Night, and he must be stopped from this foolishness.” I state firmly. “I have attempted to delay him in his efforts, but I’m not sure it will be enough.”

“What I find odd is that you still expect him to marry you after what you’ve done.” Drade lifts a brow derisively. Humor laces his dark expression at my expense and I hear a muffled chuckle from someone else in the room .

My eyes flash with anger. “How do you know what I’ve done? Have you seen hi?—”

Waylon intervenes, waving a hand through the air. “Enough. This is not a time for silly quarrels.”

Drade’s lips twist in a smirk while I merely nod and force myself to primly sit back in my chair to listen.

“I have employed the help of an experienced mercenary.” Waylon pauses to shuffle a few papers and brings one to the front, then lifts it a bit closer to his face and reads, “Ah, yes, Renton is his name.” He looks up and lays the papers flat on the ancient table. “He approached me, asking about the Black Tulips—I must say his timing was impeccable. He has agreed to track our wayward king and deliver him to the High Kingdom safely, and in exchange, he has asked that we don’t interfere with the Black Tulips. I agreed on the council’s behalf.” He looks my way. “And that includes you, as well. No more interference, m’dear.”

I nod slowly, fisting my skirt in my hand beneath the table.

Rhomi leans back in his chair. “This Renton, is he trustworthy?”

Everyone looks toward Waylon.

With a confident voice and relaxing into the arm of his chair, Waylon says, “He has the same goal—to prevent any Black Tulip from bridging with our king. He has agreed to find King Ikar and return him to the kingdom, while also taking care of any possible Black Tulip problems that may arise. Tell, do any of you have any other, better, ideas?”

The room is deathly silent. Drade appears annoyed, a slight sneer twisting his lips. Rhomi shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Waylon and Adrian looked between each other with an indecipherable look.

Drade speaks again, this time a sarcastic note in his voice. “ Have we considered simply trusting the man who was raised to be High King and getting back to the business of ruling our own low kingdoms?”

My voice hardens toward Drade, irritated. “Sometimes the weight of responsibility, when carried alone, causes people to act in a way that isn’t normal for them. This isn’t who Ikar is .”

“You just want to be queen,” Drade says with acid in his voice.

I hate that I sputter a bit, my cheeks red. “I want the best for our kingdom. And the best for our kingdom is Ikar and I. Not a dangerous Queen of the Night.”

Waylon speaks up with a calming voice, attempting to lower the growing tension. “The king is in danger. His heart is good, but he takes a great risk in bringing the Tulips back into power, blatantly ignoring the advice of the council. We must remember the danger they present.”

The table is once again silent.

“I’m asking for each of you to help me.”

Rhomi speaks next. “If we do, what happens next?”

Adrian lifts his chin from his chest and growls, “Nadiette will marry Ikar, and Renton will take care of the Tulips. Listen up, boy.”

Waylon nods. “Nadiette’s loyalty is proven by her many years as the royal Head Originator. She can be trusted to do everything in her power to protect the people. She deserves to be queen.”

Drade scoffs beneath his breath.

Adrian lifts his stocky arm. “You have my support.”

Waylon smiles like a cat. “That’s not all, though. I will continue to lend my support and stay in contact with Renton,” he looks at me, “but if the marriage falls through, we will take the High Kingdom, and it will be split equally between the low kings. King Ikar has shown he may not be fit to lead any longer. If he refuses you, he is ours.”

The reek of mutiny fills the silence.

My smile turns stiff, sweat breaking out across my brow. “Then, I must ensure we marry.” My eyebrow cocks at my uncle in challenge.

“Don’t worry, my dear, whether you marry him or not, you’ll have a high place with the kings.”