“I did not hear that remark,” he said pointedly. “I obeyed the command of my king, and I came.” He turned to the left. “Kevin, do you know where Kelson is now?”

“I’ll tell him you’re here,” Kevin replied, slipping out of Bran’s reach before the angry lord could stop him. His bright plaid swung jauntily from his shoulder as he hurried across the room.

Bran dropped his hand to his sword hilt and glared at Morgan. “Smoothly maneuvered, Morgan. But seven deaths—I think that’s too high a price to pay for your presence here!”

He started to draw, but Ewan seized his wrist and forced him to return the blade to its sheath.

“Stop it, Bran!” Ewan growled. “And Alaric, I wish ye hadn’t come. Frankly, the queen didn’t even want Kelson to send for ye. In any event, I don’t think ye should see the lad until ye’ve talked with Her Majesty.”

“I’m well aware of the queen’s feelings about me,” Morgan replied softly. “Fortunately for my conscience, I don’t care what she thinks. I made a promise to the boy’s father, and I intend to keep it.” He glanced casually around him. “And I’m not at all certain Brion would approve of my being the agenda for today’s Council meeting. That is why you’re all gathered here, isn’t it, gentlemen?”

The lords of the Council exchanged furtive glances and tried to decide which one had told Morgan about their plans. Across the room, Morgan saw Prince Nigel exchange a few words with the exiting Kevin and head toward Morgan and his companions.

“You must understand, Morgan,” Rogier was saying. “None of us has anything against you personally. But the queen—well, she hasn’t taken Brion’s death well at all.”

“Neither have I, Rogier,” Morgan replied evenly, his gray eyes flashing.

Nigel stepped deftly between Rogier and Ewan and took Morgan’s arm. “Alaric, I’m delighted to see you. And Lord Derry, I believe.”

Derry bowed acknowledgement, obviously pleased to have been recognized by the royal duke and grateful for the interruption of hostilities. Around him, the others also bowed.

“I have a favor to ask, though,” Nigel continued, playing the part of perfect host to the hilt. “Would you mind sitting in at Alaric’s place in Council, Derry? He has some important matters to take care of for me.”

“It would be my honor, Your Highness.”

“Excellent,” Nigel said, beginning to edge himself and Morgan in the direction Kevin had disappeared. “You’ll excuse us, won’t you, gentlemen?”