I blinked at her, letting a small smile tug at my lips. Of course I knew that. That was why I was here, sitting in his chair, presiding over his council. I had the authority to overturn what Alexander had declared. But there was nothing to reverse. The deed had been done, and what the council was suggesting was exactly what Patrick wanted.
I could feel the weight of the room on me—the council waiting for me to bend, to do the ‘reasonable’ thing, to undo Alexander’s actions. But I wasn't going to give Patrick that satisfaction. Not even for a second. Not when the consequence of such a move would be to entertain him, to show weakness, to undermine everything Alexander had built.
Mathias could not contain himself. He leaned forward, hands gripping the table, eyes sharp with impatience. “Do
