Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords #3)(54)

“Blaine was there for me when no one else was,” he roars. “Every time I look at him, I see my father’s friend. You’d have me kill one of the last remnants of my father? You Solati know nothing of loyalty. I shouldn’t be surprised you’re pursuing this. Subterfuge always comes from within your court, so why would you ever think someone outside of this castle could be behind the rebellion?”

Is he really going to ignore everything I just told him? “You’re blind to what's happening around you!” I shout. “And all because that evil man bounced you on his damn knee?” I grip him just above the elbows and shake him. It doesn’t have much effect. “Open your eyes, Jovan. He’s stealing your kingdom from underneath your stubborn Bruma ass!” I swallow as I look up into his eyes. His rage emanates from him, rising from him like steam. “Please just stop and listen to me. Talk to some of my witnesses. Ask Macy again, or Ice, or Sanjay, but please don’t sit there and let him do this to you!”

He stoops to bring his face close to mine. “You’re mistaken. You mean well, but you don’t know Blaine, or what you’re speaking of. Perhaps this is your new way of coping.” His warm breath tickles my skin as a tendril of doubt worms into my conviction. I never thought about that. Is it me?

“Whatever it is, Tatuma, this is me telling you to stop. I don’t want to hear any more of your theories about Blaine, I don’t want you spreading lies to anyone else, either. This stops here. It’s the last time I’ll warn you.”

I refuse to let my eyes water as I hold his gaze. He growls when he sees I won’t agree and straightens. I step back from him, crossing my arms. Jovan opens his mouth again, but decides otherwise, turning for the door. He glances back over his shoulder as he pushes the door open in front of him, expression blank—which I hate—and ducks his head to walk out.

This is the first time in a long time I’ve felt like he’s the king of Glacium, and I’m the Tatuma of Osolis.

Now would be the perfect time to possess a punching bag. I think of the one swinging at the barracks and clench my fists. I’m so angry with Jovan. I look around uselessly and realize I’m on my own. No one’s going to help me take down Blaine. And Jovan’s proven he won’t, or can’t, listen.

I have to take down Blaine on my own.

I dash away a few traitorous tears, and then settle my gaze on the bath behind me. Sleep will be a miracle for me tonight. At least for next few hours. I reach for the bottom hem of my tunic, wishing I’d just joined Jovan when he asked.

*

I stumble blearily into the council meeting. The advisors, used to me, barely glimpse up as I take my seat, trying to pick up the topic. It’s probably the same topic as the last five meetings, and it will probably have the same outcome. Nothing.

I yawn. Loudly. Merc chuckles at the sound.

“Sorry, Tatuma Olina. Are we keeping you up?” Blaine asks.

I wave my hand at him. “No, Barry, please continue.” Several someones choke off laughter at my comment. Jovan will be pissed. And I don’t care.

A door opens to my right. Malir stands there, Rhone beside him. “My King. Forgive the intrusion,” Malir bows. “We have a problem. There’s a crowd out front. Growing quickly. People from the Outer Rings.”

I straighten, tiredness gone.

“Are they violent?” Jovan asks, standing and moving toward Malir.

“Not yet, but they have several Inner Ring hostages they’ve captured on the way here,” Malir reports. “They’re demanding to be heard.”

“Outrageous!” splutters someone, Drummond, by the pompous sound of it.

Blaine stands and moves next to Jovan. I remain seated, thinking furiously. Glacium is teetering on the edge of anarchy. This cannot happen right now. It could take years to resolve a civil war with the Outer Rings population, let alone the Middle Ring—if they decided to join in. And if the hostages are killed, soon all Bruma will be seeking their own retribution. Chaos.

“You must show a swift and decisive front, my King,” Blaine speaks. “You’d do no less for any other who spoke against you. Crush them.”

I raise my eyebrows, quickly preparing to voice my opinion, but Roscoe beats me to it.

“And strengthen their cause by creating martyrs? If they are angry enough to come in great number, they wish to be taken seriously. Killing them will spark an inferno. You need the hostages safe and the horde dispersed. Talk with them, see if you can find a solution.” There’s a reason Adnan’s father is Jovan’s top advisor.

“That would be wise,” Rhone offers from where he stands next to Malir.

“Your opinion isn’t wanted here,” Drummond snarls at Rhone. I start at the venom in his voice. “They’re your people,” Drummond continues. “Perhaps you are the traitor in our midst.”

I blink several times as a mystery falls into place. Rhone is from the Outer Rings?

How the hell did he get into the assembly? No wonder he keeps to himself. Or perhaps his isolation isn’t self-imposed, judging by the comments directed toward him.

Drummond snaps his mouth shut with a gesture from Jovan. I wait for Rhone’s reply, even looking at him expectantly, but there isn’t one. Why doesn’t he put Drummond in his place?

I move around the table as the council hurries after Jovan.