Page 7 of Undertow
“I’m sorry, but I miss how, Your Highness,” one guard said, looking actually confused.
“How did you address me?” I pointed to the elder. “Didhe?” I nodded when the guard flinched. “At any point in time did he show me therequiredrespect an elder has to of a member of the royal family before he then tried ‘listen here’ as if I’m his dog? So yes, I’m well within my rights, and do as you’re ordered before you join him.”
At least that worked, and when the other elders saw what was happening, none stood up to defend Cardoso or argue for him.
They were chickens, not dragons.
Elder Larsen cleared his throat and glanced around. “Clearly, Cardoso lost his head and cannot keep his wits about him with the grief we’re all experiencing.”
“And yet the one dealing with it most is the only one handling herself rationally,” I practically purred. “Giving orders that are against protocol, speaking on behalf of a member of a royal family.” I held up my hand when he opened his mouth. “Interruptingme when none of you would have dared to do so to my parents or even aunts or uncles.
“It’s lunacy and it will stop.” I glanced between them. “All of this will stop.” But I realized it wouldn’t. Irealizedwhy Hardin wasn’t there and why Larsen had taken over.
Because he was Hardin’s lackey. Disgusting, but extra revolting given he was an elder and supposed to have his own mind.
“The people have crossed lines, but that doesn’t change the situation we find ourselves in and that you need to mate to become queen, Your Highness,” Larsen said firmly.
Well, as firmly as the pissant managed which wasn’t much.
“I won’t, and you cannot make me,” I told him, intentionally pushing his buttons.
Anger and a bit of fear filled his eyes, probably knowing he would get in trouble with hismasterfor not carrying out the mission. “Then you cannot become queen as you need us to make that happen.”
I studied him a moment. “What do you think will happen then?” I chuckled when they glanced among themselves. “You have to give valid andviablereasons why you won’t confirm me, ones I can challenge. I won’t mate and let you watch mefornicate with four mendoesn’t play well in a sound bite, does it?”
“The instability of the realm is—” he bit out, obviously not liking the idea of being painted as a pervert.
Well, I hadn’t started all of this, had I?
“Given what reasons?” I pushed. “Anything I’vedone?Some huge mistake I’ve made since getting off the plane after learning of my parents’death?”
“We will have a list of arguments by the time the hearing to contest happens,” one elder snapped.
And there it was. The extra smoking gun I needed.
I bobbed my head as if I was considering it but then snorted. “So extortion. Your grand coup idea is extortion within adayof my parents dying.” I curled my lip at them. “You are all revolting and unfit foryourpositions.” I glanced up at thecamera I knew we were being watched from. “Benson, bring up the remote video call if possible.”
“What are—this doesn’t involve—you cannot—” Larsen started to sputter, understanding I’d had an ace up my sleeve this whole time they’d not considered.
I raised an eyebrow and moved over to the table where I saw some papers, snatching them before they could disappear. Sure enough, it was the list of four names from the Alpha families that I was to mate.
“Do not think to touch the princess,” one of the guards warned as a few of the elders approached me.
Well, at least there was a line they would respect or they’d pulled their heads out of their asses. Lovely.
Benson came into the ballroom carrying a security tablet that would have an excellent camera for this. He nodded it was ready and to do what I needed to.
I focused on the elders. “I hereby invoke Article III, Section V of our Constitution.” I wanted to roll my eyes when a few exchanged glances. “I’m ordering a full review of the elders present with the witnesses of leading Alphas who watched the illegal activities you were just party tolive.”
Larsen glanced between Benson and me. “This is a misunderstanding.”
I wiggled the pages in front of me. “Among which are trying to mate off a member of the royal family, making arrangements for me, and speaking on my behalf, which I warned you not to do again. The extortion was a lovely touch.” I nodded at the guards. “Each of you will be taken to a secure location and sequestered until a time you can be questioned by a review panel of Alphas.
“Your competency, loyalty to the nation, involvement in these crimes, and othercorruptionwill be investigated thoroughly by the panel. After such time, they will recommenda decision if you are to be reprimanded, removed from your position, or imprisoned to be approved by the leader of the nation—queen or not. Until such time, you are stripped of all titles and privileges.”
Benson had called other guards, and before most of the elders could even think to get over their shock, they had a metal cuff on their wrist to keep them from shifting or using any powers. They couldn’t hide how crazy the outcome seemed to be and Larsen pulled away from his guard.
“You’re not fit to be queen without guidance and—”
