Chapter 59
The morning sky was glowing yellow and silver as the chill mist flew around the great pillars of Killian's old stone palace. The quiet of the dawn was broken by the pounding hooves of horses against the stone-paved courtyard. The Council had arrived.
Killian lingered in the doorway of the great hall, watching the slow descend of hooded men with slow elegance. The councilmen—hards, sterns, and every two steps behind obligation—descended into the hall singly, their features morphed into lines of displeasure.
Ursula stood by the stairs, arms crossed, watching the whole drama with the gaze of amusement. She was already well aware of the context of this meeting.
The table had already been set inside the hall. Killian sat at the head of the table, the light shining on the dark vei
