For a few moments, silence. Constance surveyed the men at her table. Eleven in total, plus her brother, on whose loyalty she knew she could rely. Several were on the wrong side of middle age—some only tenuously on the right side of the grave. Lord Veredith she had in her pocket already, and Redding would not oppose her. Leobel was a kindly man with a bald pate and a fat gut—she remembered him from before she’d left. She’d win him easily too. Lord Farley was young enough, but so bitter and broken that she knew she’d find no resistance there. Xander was a strong ally: he’d help sway any uncertainties in her favor.

She’d find little opposition from the Wise Men, as long as the Justice left her to her own devices. He’d chosen to sulk and plot: so be it. If he wouldn’t fight the fight, the prize was hers for the taking. If she could weave the right words, all the men here would be caught in her net.

“Thank you for gathering here today, my friends,” she said, standing up. “As you know, I’d like to petition you for the Protectorship. The King’s Justice has taken the mantle of power in the absence of an heir old enough to represent the Rathbone family. I hear he has inflicted a great deal of hardship on our city.” A murmur rose along the table, and Constance took a careful sip of her tea.

“But whatever we make of the Justice’s policies, he is no Rathbone. It’s time to return Duke’s Forest to its rightful dynasty.” She met the eyes of every man in the room. “As the Justice is absent, perhaps we can speak freely for once.” She had no doubt he was listening, the ears of the city guard still trained to his purpose for the time being—but perhaps that was no bad thing. “The mage hunts are crippling Duke’s Forest. The locked gates and the storm cloud have sealed us from the outside world. But I found my way, and that means others can too.” She paused for effect. “My lords,” she said, “it is time for us to dare to hope once again—to open the gates and open our minds. I have spent time in the City of Kings—and in doing so, I have learned so many things I hope to bring to this city, to heal it and begin anew. You may not realize it, but everything I’ve done, I’ve done for you. Everything I’ve sacrificed, I’ve sacrificed for you. And I have ever been your advocate, your friend, your protector.” Constance sounded as if she had real emotion choking her voice. She blinked as if she were holding back tears. “For this is, and always will be, my home.”