Lord Brarthroroz stepped out behind him and a horrified silence fell across the room as he filled the chamber instantly. He scanned the nobles slowly with a look filled with obvious disapproval.
A few of them stepped back without meaning to and Ann almost laughed as one of them made a choked noise that sounded like a swallowed scream.
Ann didn't stand but the wide smile on her face said everything that she needed to without any words.
"Lord Brarthroroz. Thank you for coming at such short notice. I know Adam called you late last night, I'm just grateful that things are settled enough on the front lines for now to have you here for the signing."
He moved to stand at her side, squinting down at the paper in Coral's hand with a calm and unreadable expression.
"When the Alpha Queen calls, then I arrive as soon as I am able." he answered carefully and it was immediately obvious that either Lexi or Ximena had already filed him in on the sort of display that was required to put the nobles in their place.
"Lord Brarthroroz is here to formally represent the interests of the daemon realm that he oversees under the new unified charter. His people have fought with us on multiple occasions now and they have more than earned a seat at this table."
"They will never eat at my table, disgusting creatures." one noble muttered and although it wasn't intended for Lord Brarthroroz's ears, he still heard it.
Brarthroroz turned his head slowly and his gaze locked onto the noble.
"Repeat what you said." he said quietly and as the noble froze, even Ann felt the danger in his voice.
"I…I didn't…"
Brarthroroz took one step forward and that was all it took.
The noble stumbled backward so fast that he tripped over his own feet. His back hit the wall with a thud and his arms came up to cover his face almost comically,
"I'm sorry! I meant nothing by it…I…"
"Then say it again," Lord Brarthroroz said, still calm, "Say that my people are disgusting and worthless. Say it to my face and say it loud enough for everyone here to hear you."
The noble trembled violently under his intense stare and as the colour drained from his cheeks in seconds, his knees buckled and he hit the floor hard. Then, very slowly, a trickling sound became audible in the room, as if someone had left a tap running slowly into an empty basin, and slowly but surely, a puddle began spreading outwards underneath where he sat.
Someone stood to the side of him gagged as the stench of urine wafted through the room..
Coral covered her mouth to hide a laugh, but Eva didn't bother, letting the mocking sound echo loudly in the chamber.
Brarthroroz's lip curled in a mixture of disgust and twisted satisfaction.
"A coward then." he sneered, "Leave and clean yourself, you bring shame to your people behaving in this manner."
The noble didn't argue, whimpering softly as he scrambled out of the nearest door, slipping once on his own mess.
"Shall I send for someone to clean it up?" Coral asked softly as she leaned in.
"Please." Ann said as her gaze turned back to the council.
She sighed heavily and let the embarrassed silence extend a little before she spoke again.
"He will be removed from his seat at this council," she said finally, "and if any in his lineage are suitable to inherit the seat from him, then we will oversee the transfer. However, I want you all to remember this.You have lived sheltered lives and there is far more to a person than their appearance. If I trust someone to be close to myself, or my children, then you should also trust that person. I do not make decisions lightly, and neither does Adam. Now, Lord Brarthroroz and his people have contributed to saving your lives. There will be no further insults to daemon citizens that are permitted here, or to anyone under the Hybrid Accord."
Silence answered her and Maeve purred in approval..
Coral stepped forward, opening a new folder.
"We are drafting a charter that outlines the responsibilities and protections of each species under Alpha Queen Ann's rule. Cooperation between wolves, hybrids, daemons, and witches will be mandatory and the list of species is always subject to change. Contributions to reconstruction of communities will be monitored and recorded."
Eva tapped her tablet.
"Each council member will of course have input on policies relevant to their communities, but the final decisions will rest with the Queen."
"The old days of nobles controlling legislation behind the crown's back are over. You will advise but you will not dictate. If you cannot accept that, then you may step down now and save us the trouble of removing you later."
As she expected though, no one stepped down.
Brarthroroz crossed his arms in front of him as he addressed the room, holding the gaze steadily of each noble that dared to engage with him.
"I have submitted the initial proposals from the daemon realm. We require safe travel rights, trade rights, and legal protection for any civilians who surrendered when Eromaug fell. These are not negotiable, however, they are only relevant to the realm that I oversee. I have no influence in realms governed by other Daemon Lords and I would advise you to barter with them with caution…and some of them not at all."
Ann nodded.
"Your recommendations are noted and the rights that you have asked for will be granted within my kingdom. However, as you know, I cannot speak for other kingdoms, but within my own, these rights will be adhered to and written in law.."
A noble woman raised her hand timidly and Ann acknowledged her with a nod, gesturing for her to speak.
"Your Majesty… will daemon warriors be allowed inside the city under this charter?"
Ann looked at Brarthroroz and smiled.
"They already are and the fact that you haven't noticed yet should tell you that they pose little threat to us."