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Palmer wouldn’t be any different, either. If Taylor did something wrong, he wouldn’t hesitate to say so. He wouldn’t hesitate to take Twig’s side, if that was the right thing to do.

Like Taylor had said, he had no plans to hurt Twig on purpose. Whatever happened by accident, they’d deal with it as it came. As long as Willa wasn’t threatening to eat him every time they spoke, he figured they had a pretty good chance of making this work.

She loved her son, and Twig deserved that. He deserved people who loved him, and now he had them. “No matter how long it takes, I’ll get you to like me eventually,” he said, half promise, half threat.

It was a risk, but thankfully Willa took it the right way. Taylor was pretty sure this was the first time she’d smiled at him. It showed her teeth, but he could tell it wasn’t a threat—not this time, anyway. “You’re on, human.”

Chapter Fourteen

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TWIG EXPECTED SOMETHING to happen at the council meeting after the conversation he’d had with Ilias. He knew the dragon hadn’t appreciated being told, essentially, to fuck off, but it had been satisfying, and Twig didn’t regret it.

Ilias didn’t have a real reason to come after him. Twig was doing his job and staying out of trouble. He might not be a great council member yet, but he was learning a little more with every meeting, and every time he worked with Killian or one of the other members. He didn’t have the years of experience Ilias had, but then, neither had Ilias when he’d first started.

Anyway, Twig had expected Ilias to try something during the meeting, but it had started normally—going over whatever Killian wanted to discuss, people making suggestions and speaking up. Twig was learning he needed to do more of that too, but it wasn’t always easy in a room full of people with years more experience than him. Still, he thought he was holding his own, and the way a few of the council members nodded when he spoke up made him smile.

That was, until Ilias opened his mouth. “Before we adjourn, I think there’s something else we need to discuss,” he said.

Killian didn’t look happy. “If you have concerns, I’m listening,” he said, though it was clear he was already done with Ilias’s nonsense.

“It’s about your brother.”

Killian snorted. “You’ll have to be more specific. You know how many brothers I have.”

“Twig,” Ilias admitted, as if it pained him. He was careful not to look at Twig, but Twig didn’t return the favor. He wasn’t going to play Ilias’s games. He knew what was coming, and he was ready to stand up for himself.

“Something tells me I’m not going to like where this is going,” Killian said. “What about Twig?”

“I understand why you chose him as a council member, and I don’t blame you for it, but I don’t think he’s ready for this kind of commitment. He’s proven himself to make poor decisions in his personal life, and he was incredibly rude to me when I tried to raise it with him. That’s not the behavior of a council member.”

Killian tapped his claws on the wooden table. “Something tells me that’s only half of the story.”

“Your Majesty, I only think that, as king, you need to do what’s best for the clan. I understand wanting to help your brother, but in this case, I don’t think he’s the best choice. I’m sure any of your other siblings would do better.”

Killian snorted, while Twig considered hiding under the table. Ilias wasn’t just saying Twig was a bad council member—he was saying anyone else would be better than him. It was enough to make Twig wonder if there was some truth to it, but luckily, the thought didn’t linger long. Killian didn’t let it.

“Do you actually have a good reason to feel that way, or is this only because my brother told you to stay out of his personal life?” he asked, staring at Ilias.

“Unfortunately, as council members, our private lives reflect on the work we do,” Ilias insisted, his gaze skittering away from Twig. He was probably afraid Twig would bring up his mistresses. Twig was tempted, but he didn’t need to. Everyone in the room already knew about them. No one cared, because it was Ilias’s private business—but if Ilias was going to hold Twig’s private life up as a reason to remove him from the council, then maybe Twig could do the same with his.

“What’s your actual problem with Twig, then?” Killian asked.

“He’s young and easily influenced. If he’s not careful about who he takes up with, they could take advantage of him.”

Twig wanted to laugh. Takes up with? Were they in a historical romance novel or something?

Killian was quiet for a moment, watching Ilias. “I feel the need to remind you that my brother isn’t the only one at this table dating a human,” he said slowly. “Even if you don’t want to count me, since I’m king, Rune is right there. I know you weren’t happy when he started dating Palmer, but you were never nearly as vocal about it as you’ve been with Twig. That leads me to believe there’s something else going on here. I don’t know what yet, but I intend to find out.” He leaned forward. “As I’ve already said, Twig has my full support. I chose him for a reason, and he hasn’t disappointed me yet. I don’t expect that to change. You, on the other hand, Ilias, are proving pretty disappointing yourself.”

“Your Majesty, I’ve been doing my work just as I always have.”

“And for some reason, you decided part of that work was coming after my brother for no good reason. I don’t know what you have against Twig and Taylor, but I’ve had enough.” He looked around the table. He was angry, even though he was trying his best not to show it. Twig was starting to learn how to read his brother, though.

He wasn’t afraid. Killian wasn’t angry at him, but at everyone else in the room—Ilias for trying this, and the others for not speaking up for Twig sooner. Twig didn’t really mind that, though. He understood their hesitation. They didn’t know him yet, hadn’t seen his work. Hell, he’d been the first to hesitate when Killian asked him to be a council member in the first place. He hadn’t been sure he could do it, and some days, he still wasn’t.

But he was a council member now, whatever Ilias wanted or said about it. He wasn’t going anywhere.

“I’ve made my decision when it comes to Twig,” Killian said slowly. “And I won’t be changing my mind. There’s no good reason to. So far, Twig has done a good job, and who he’s dating has no bearing on that. If anyone else here has doubts about him, or about any of my decisions regarding the council, you’re welcome to request a private appointment and talk to me. I won’t be hearing this kind of thing at a council meeting again. There’s no place for it here.”