*Erik POV*
‘My decision is final. My decision is final. My decision is final.’
The words I had spoken that ended the council meeting echoed in my head. It was my very first war council as an actual prince and I already sounded like my father. My father who treated his subjects with cruelty, especially the human peasants, and had sired two other sons just like him who would continue his legacy. Now I sounded like him.
“Forgive me,” I said to Vanessa and my war council. “Perhaps there is something we could do before heading to Falcon’s castle. I am open to suggestions other than a parley with my brother.”
“We could head to Blake Manor,” Vanessa suggested. “I know that my father is dead but there might still be those there loyal to my family; we could ask for their support.”
It was another ‘if’ but Vanessa was right; marching blindly halfway across the country would put everyone in danger.
