Free Soul Relenter (Soul Saga #3) by E. L. Todd Page A

voyage.
    “Good afternoon,” the k ing said. “I hope you are well. We are here to discuss our plans for the Continent, which I understand you are all very concerned about. My queen and I are more than happy to converse with you.”
    “So what is it?” Mikah stared at Zyle and didn’t try to hide his displeasure. Zyle understood his anger but was growing tired of the constant nuisance of his attitude. His fury wasn’t going to change the course of their future.
    Accacia cleared he r throat. “There’s something I need to tell you all before we begin.” Mikah changed his stare to her face. He refrained from speaking to the queen at all times because he had nothing positive to say to her. Her husband made it quite clear he would be punished for another transgression. “Roxian is among us. She is sailing on The Escape .”
    Laura’s eyes widened. “What? Why is she sailing with us? I alr eady told you that woman can’t be trusted.”
    Accacia reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “I understand your hesitation, but if I am unafraid of her, you should be as well—all of you. Roxian is a fearsome warrior. Her presence will only help us.”
    Laura turned her gaze to Zyle. “And you approved of this?” Accacia looked at Zyle, wondering how he would respond.
    Zyle sighed. “Of c ourse,” he said. “I respect my queen’s decision. If she can look past Roxian’s crimes then I can as well. However, I will kill her without hesitation if the situation should arise.”
    Laura shook her head. “So be it.” She met the gaze of her niece, her queen. “I still feel that we will regret this. How do you know she won’t work against us?”
    Accacia shook her head. “She doesn’t benefit from opposing us. I think Roxian deserves another chance to redeem her actions. What better way to do that than in battle? I know I feel safer with her in our ranks.”
    Mikah shook his head. There were many things he wished to say; none of them were acceptable. “And how do you think the Asquithians will react?”
    Accacia met his gaze. “They will trust the decision I have—”
    “—h ow did you convince her to aid you?” Mikah leaned over the table. “It is no secret she hates you with every fiber of her being.”
    “I told her she would be free, vindicated from her crimes, and accepted back—”
    “—thank you for including your advisors in this decision,” he said as he shook his head. “We know how much you value our opinion. I am delighted to know our queen has so much respect for the office by completely ignoring the electoral vote—good to know.”
    Accacia caught Zyle by the arm and steadied him. He tried to rise from his seat but she held him firmly. “Step down,” she whispered. She hadn’t looked at him once but she knew how her life partner would react to Mikah’s words. She appreciated his protection over her, but he needed to stop. The ambassadors had the right to speak freely.
    The q ueen released her hold on her soul mate and turned to Mikah. “I didn’t realize I needed your consent for every decision that I and Zyle make, and I apologize. I assumed the agreement of my fellow sovereign was enough. I haven’t lived among you for very long, nor have I grown accustomed to every law of the society.” Accacia immediately felt stupid for not realizing the obvious mistake. She thought Zyle’s support was all she needed. It wasn’t logical to have the voted opinions of the ambassadors for every decision. It was ludicrous.
    Mikah rolled his eyes at her words. “Yes, I’ve noticed.”
    Zyle squeezed the arm rest of his chair but didn’t react to his hurtful words. He knew Accacia didn’t want him to intervene. Accacia stumbled across her words before she continued forward. Her voice was calm, and contained no anger from his previous words. “If you would prefer to lock her up in the hull of the ship until the war is over we can vote on that. However, I think she should be