The board murmured, voices overlapping again, Claudia scoffing about precedent, Marcus muttering about costs, Selwyn's PR-polished tone suggesting caution.
Finally, Adrian Kael raised his hand, and silence fell.
His storm-gray eyes locked on Merlin. The weight in them was crushing, but Merlin did not look away.
"…You have nerve, boy," Kael said at last, voice low. "Nerve, and perhaps vision. Few in this room would have had the gall to demand rights from Regina Hale." His eyes flicked briefly toward her, then back. "But vision without delivery is arrogance. Do you understand what you've just asked for?"
Merlin held his stare. "…I asked for a stake in the future. If that's arrogance, then maybe this table needs more of it."
The storm in Kael's eyes shifted, dark amusement, approval buried in iron.
