Jarrod, Rolf, and I stood together. My mother was not there.
People spoke in hushed tones, speculating on which of the men might be voted into a seat of such power. None of them had any idea that the outcome was already a forgone conclusion.
The meeting didn’t last long,
When the doors opened and the men emerged, Lord Cloutier led the way. His face was ashen, and when he spoke, his voice held disbelief.
“The seat has been won by Lord Rolf Volodane.”
Gasps resounded.
However, once the shock passed, people quickly began to congratulate Rolf. Jarrod stood glowing beside his son.
My own father appeared as stunned as everyone else, and he moved over beside me. “Five other men voted for him,” he whispered in what sounded like horror. “You know that I had to, but I cannot fathom what just happened in there.”
“Can you not?” I challenged him.
His eyes flashed to my face as the truth dawned. “You . . .?”
I couldn’t help a wave of satisfaction. He’d thrown me away like yesterday’s refuse so that he might pay a few debts. Now, he was reaping what he’d sown.
Rolf Volodane held a seat on the Council of Nobles.
Chapter 8
We stayed in Partheney for another month so that the council and the king could debate matters of state. In that time, Rolf began gaining respect, and he found a kindred spirit in Lord Sauvage, who had long wanted to increase the nation’s border patrols.
As opposed to growing proud or arrogant, Rolf became more self-assured—which was different. In private, he told me everything that was discussed in council meetings, and I offered my thoughts.
I don’t believe he ever did this with Jarrod.
In mid-autumn, we traveled back home and arrived at Volodane Hall in the early afternoon. I had been pondering a number of plans to try and improve the lives of the people in the village and outlying areas, but as of yet, I hadn’t approached Rolf.
All such thoughts vanished when we entered the dining hall to find Sebastian sitting at a table playing cards with a few guards.
“Sebastian,” I called, hurrying to him. “You’re back!”
He stood and I gave him a quick embrace, not caring what anyone else thought. I’d missed him. Rolf and I were partners, but Sebastian was a friend.
He smiled and hugged me back. Then he looked over at his father and brother. “And how fares the ambitious ones?” he asked. “Not too disappointed, I hope.”
“Not at all,” Rolf answered coolly. “I won the seat.”
Sebastian’s face went momentarily blank. Then he looked down at me as if I’d betrayed him. “He won the seat?”
I glanced away. I couldn’t meet his eyes, but I would find him later and explain everything. I’d not let Rolf abuse his power.
Sebastian stepped away from me and put one hand on the table.
“Will you not congratulate me, brother?” Rolf said.
Sebastian’s eyes were hard. “Congratulations.”
We met again in the hall before dinner that night. Though I hadn’t found an opportunity to speak to Sebastian alone, he had calmed considerably and was even apologetic to Rolf.
“Forgive my loutish behavior,” he said. “You caught me off guard. I never thought you’d do it, not because you aren’t capable, just because I didn’t think those snobs would ever vote for one of us.”
Rolf watched him carefully and then shrugged. “It’s all right. I know the outcome seemed unlikely.”
There were two pots of tea on the table, one large and one small.
“We’ll have wine with dinner and drink a toast to you,” Sebastian said, “but I brought some of that orange-spiced tea you like so much back from Rennes.” He pointed to the smaller pot. None of the rest of us were fond of orange-spiced tea, but it was a favorite of Rolf’s. Then Sebastian gestured to the larger pot. “I had some black tea made up for everyone else.”
“Tea?” Jarrod asked. “Before dinner? I think not. Have the wine brought in.”
The idea of tea before dinner was unusual, but in truth, Rolf wasn’t all that fond of wine, and he loved spiced tea. Sebastian knew that. Was he making a peace offering?
Rolf blinked as if uncertain how to respond to his brother. “Thank you,” he said finally.
A flicker, something unreadable, passed through Sebastian’s eyes. Something was very wrong here.
I had to act.
I knew I shouldn’t.
What I was about to do broke every rule my father had taught me: Never read one of your own. Sebastian was a young lord of my own house now. It was wrong to invade his thoughts, but this didn’t stop me.
Focusing completely on Sebastian, I was hit by a wall of desperation. He’d depended on me, on what he’d both shown and told me, to keep Rolf off the council. He feared for the future of the nation with Rolf in power.
There was hemlock in the orange-spiced tea.
He was about to poison his own brother.
I pulled from his mind. Keeping my expression serene, I smiled at Rolf and walked toward the table. “Stay there. I’ll pour a cup for you.”
Reaching out, I lifted the pot and then pretended it was too heavy, and I dropped it. The lid came off, and the contents splashed all the over the floor. Beside me, Sebastian drew a sharp breath, but I looked back to Rolf.
“Oh, I am sorry. It was heavier than I anticipated. Should I have Ester make more?”
He waved me off. “No, let’s just sit down to dinner. I’m more hungry than anything else.”
I called Betty to clean up the mess and then serve dinner.
We all sat down, but I could feel Sebastian’s eyes on me.
Long after Rolf had fallen asleep that night, I slipped from my bed, donned my silk dressing gown, and left my room.
This late, the keep was silent, but I walked as quietly as possible to the end of the passage right where it curved inside the tower. Although I had never before visited my planned destination, I knew where it was located, and I stopped outside of Sebastian’s room.
After taking a few seconds to gather myself, I knocked.
Nothing happened, but I didn’t leave, and I didn’t knock again.
Finally, the door opened, and he stood there dressed in nothing but a pair of loose black pants. He wasn’t surprised to see me.
Holding the door wider, he asked dryly, “Would you like to come in?”
“No.”
Being found inside his room would be disastrous. It would be bad enough if anyone saw us standing at his open door. But this couldn’t wait until tomorrow.
He raised one brow. “Then to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“You tried to poison Rolf tonight. Don’t do it again.”
“What an imagination you have. Then again . . . one never knows what might come out of that kitchen.”
“I know you’re worried,” I rushed on. “But you needn’t be. I’ve spoken to Rolf and he listens to me. He’s trying other methods to fund his plans. He won’t have national taxes increased.”
At that, Sebastian dropped all pretense. “For now!” he whispered harshly. “What do you think he’ll be like in a year? Two years? You’ll have lost any hold on him.”