บท 179: The Final Question

RETH

He stifled the growl that wanted to rise at the pure aggression in Brant's eyes. But he knew the question was valid—and had he been in Brant's chair, he would probably have been less calm.

This was the most crucial question yet, and he would answer it so. "No. I did not. I knew her nature. Knew her heart. And knew what she'd been to me. I knew she was my mate. But she did not. When I was faced with the choice…"

"You chose for your heart?"

"No, I chose for my people. I believed then, as I do now, that Elia was the better Queen for the Anima."

"You expect us to believe that you had no hand, no knowledge, no intention towards a woman who you have just admitted held your heart, even when you were young?"

"I expect you to believe that the Creator can achieve the impossible—what I believed to be impossible, anyway. And that He can use the ill-intent of the wolves to bring about the best future for the Anima.