Chapter 180: Guilty

ELIA

Elia blinked at Brant. Had he really just said no? She looked at Reth, who didn't seem shocked, but more resigned.

Anger churned in Elia's chest. "But—"

"No one in this room doubts the King's heart for you, or for the people," Brant said, directly to her, his gaze unwavering. "You see your Mate through the eyes of a Pair, you cannot be expected to question his heart. You also cannot be an objective witness to his motives."

"But he speaks to me of things in his—!"

"He speaks to all of us of things that are relevant. That does not make us unbiased, Sire," Brant said sharply. A tiny growl puttered in Reth's throat, but Brant didn't take his eyes off her. "You asked if you could speak to his heart of honor both for you and for your people, does anyone here question either the King's true heart for his mate, or his people? Or the Queen's good intention in sharing it?"

He waited. No one spoke. Elia frowned.