Chapter 1 #2
“I’m sure it didn’t take you long to figure it out,” Jezebel said.
“I guessed within the day. Your mother practically had to restrain me from coming after you.”
“We were fine,” I assured him, fighting against images of the many times on that journey when I thought we might not be fine.
“What you attempted was illegal—”
“For no good reason.” His brows rose at my interruption. I crossed my arms. “The Undertaking never should have been forbidden.”
We explained everything we’d learned of Lucidius—one of his oldest and most trusted friends—and watched him crumble.
Another casualty of the former Revered’s deceit.
First my father was silent, eyes bulging.
Finally, he stood, knocking his chair out behind him and sending his plate flying against the wall.
The china shattered, shards raining to the floor, food dripping down the wall.
Jezebel flinched.
“We need to know, Father.” I tried to balance my tone somewhere between gentle and firm. “Did you have any indication of his plans? His betrayals?”
Hurt bloomed in his eyes. “Is this why I’ve been kept in here? You suspect me?”
“No, we don’t,” Jezebel said.
“But we have to follow protocols for everyone who may have known. Things have not been easy in claiming my place as Revered.” Striding to the fire, I averted my gaze, hiding the self-doubt I hated feeling.
“Everyone must be formally investigated in order to convince the chancellors of the minor clans I’m fit to rule.
The rest of the Mystique Council is being questioned tonight, too. ”
This dynamic—this demanding of my father—was unnatural, but I supposed I had to adjust to it.
“He lied to us all.” The pain in his tone was that of betrayal. “Tricked even me.”
“Spirits, how did we end up here?” I thought aloud.
Was Lucidius truly so adept at secrets and lies? I guessed no one really knew him. Not his son, not his wife, not his oldest friend and most trusted advisor.
“That’s the question I’m asking myself, sorrida.”
At the nickname, I turned back to him. “I believe you, Father—I want you to know that. But I’m worried others won’t be as easily convinced.”
“You can dismiss the current council,” he suggested reluctantly.
Part of me knew he was right. Ousting every member following their interrogations would be the quickest way to convince the chancellors that no corruption remained. But that felt like a lazy way to an end.
I was asserting myself as a leader, but I needed to show others I understood what that meant. It was not flipping a coin on someone’s fate or turning my back on problems.
“We won’t be banishing anyone,” I stated. “The former Mystique Council will stay here.”
“And why is that?” He was leading me, a lesson like all the years he trained me to one day take his role as Second.
“It would be rash to dismiss experienced advisors when I’m new to rule.
” A bit of that doubt in myself crept into my voice, but I turned it away.
“You can resume your stay in the Second’s suite.
The others can have their rooms, as well.
We’ve all taken empty apartments.” Ones we could make our own.
“There will be changes to our governing system, but those who are willing will help with reconstruction.”
He contemplated for a moment, finally stepping to me, a hand at my shoulder. “Be sure you take rule as your own, sorrida. It will not be handed to you.”
“I’m taking it now.” I gripped Starfire’s hilt, swearing, “I’m leading by example, working with the former generation to rebuild a Mystique legacy that was crushed under the last regime and uplifting the next age of warriors.
I’ll restore my people—our people—back to a greatness we rightfully deserve, but that is not to say I can do it on my own.
Leaders must work with those they hope to rule, must listen in order to do right by them. ”
Things Lucidius never did.
A mixture of pride and wariness swept across my father’s face, but his shoulders slackened.
“Are you against this?” My voice cracked.
“I’m not against your rule, Ophelia.” He ran a hand down his face.
“My daughters—one of whom is still underage—disappeared in the night. You have to understand the fear that overtook your mother and I when we realized where you’d gone.
Now, those same girls—the ones I had to teach repeatedly to hang up their weapons as children rather than leave them strewn across the yard—are claiming rule.
One is stepping into the position of the most powerful warrior on Ambrisk…
I am not denying you deserve it.” He looked between us.
“I am not denying either of you are meant for greatness, but I wouldn’t be a good father if I didn’t say I’m terrified for you.
It seems we are on the brink of war, and I don’t want you at the heart of it. ”
Did he not understand I already was? I had a personal vendetta against Kakias for the rubble she had turned my life into.
“Some battles are inevitable. We can only prepare ourselves to face them.” I crossed the room, pouring a glass of water from the silver pitcher in the corner.
The cool liquid washed over my tongue and down my throat, calming my racing thoughts.
Spirits, I wished it was rum—or anything a little stronger to cloud my worries—but I’d promised myself I wouldn’t drink for those reasons anymore.
“Besides, you fail to acknowledge that while we may have been irresponsible as children, your daughters have been cleaning up their own messes for years now.” I drained the rest of my water and faced my father again, a smile on both our faces.
“Tell me of the Rapture, then.” He righted his chair and eased into it, ready to hear of the day-long convention we’d had with the leaders of the five minor clans.
“To begin, Aird is a bigot.” Jezebel scooted onto the bed and crossed her ankles as she insulted the Mindshaper chancellor.
“He’s—” I gritted my teeth, taking a breath. “He’s made it clear that he doesn’t support my appointment to Revered.” The matter had taken up the majority of today’s meeting.
“And who would he rather?” There was an unspoken question in my father’s voice—Malakai?
I shook my head. “He suggested you take the position.”
“That’s not possible. The Spirits demand the role pass from one generation to the next. The balance—”
“It appears he’s selectively remembering what the balance of power demands.” Jezebel was right. The chancellor had warped the pillar of our magic in his memory, referencing it only when it suited him.
“And what of the others?” my father asked, tone serious as he resumed his role as Second, picking apart details for a strategy.
“The Soulguiders will vote in my favor.” Their chancellor, Meridat, had all but confirmed it today.
“To be expected based on the quarter of your Soulguider heritage. It would be beneficial politically and demonstrate loyalty.”
“The other three are uncertain.” I worried my lip, my mind replaying every moment of that meeting. “We’re reconvening tomorrow, and I need two more votes.”
“Titus will likely vote your way,” Jezebel chimed in, then looked at my father. “He requested time to conduct a reading tonight, but that is a Starsearcher’s way of not appearing easily swayed.”
“Assuming the stars show him I’m the right choice, that’s still only three.”
“Seawatchers and Bodymelders.” My father contemplated. “The Seawatchers are the most thinly spread.”
“Ezalia will be careful, then.” With their minor clan split between the Eastern Territory and Western Outposts, guarding the coasts of Gallantia, they were always under threat.
“It will have to be Brigiet,” I decided, picturing the Bodymelder’s wine-red hair and closed-off expression. I didn’t know how she’d vote.
“Jez, when we’re done here, we have to tell the others she’s our goal.” If anyone could persuade an alliance, it was my brigade of reckless and charmingly hopeful friends.
My sister nodded, and I released a breath of relief. But I couldn’t allow myself to sink into it. “There are some other matters we must discuss. During the Undertaking—”
“What you experienced is to be kept private, Ophelia,” my father scolded.
“Listen to her.” It was odd to hear Jezebel’s voice overpower him, but he turned attentive—wary—eyes back to me. While we couldn’t discuss the ritual in full, small details were allowed.
“What can you tell us of Annellius Alabath?” Nerves fluttered through my stomach.
“Annellius?” Understanding lit his eyes. “You saw him in the volcano.”
“Yes,” I responded, at the same time Jezebel said, “No.” I looked to her, but she avoided my gaze. I realized I knew nothing of her experience. Though she tried to hide it, something had changed within my sister on the journey to the Undertaking, a shadow hovering over her shoulders now.
“Why are you asking?” My father’s eyes narrowed, mystlight highlighting steely suspicion.
“I need you to tell me what you know of him.”
He braced his forearms on his knees; the air swelled with anticipation.
“Everything I know of Annellius is lore, girls. You have to understand that. Whatever I tell you—there’s no way for any of us to know whether or not it’s true.”
“Understood,” I said, but my second pulse—the one that had emerged when I found Angelborn—pounded.
“Take a seat, then.” He waited for me to remove my weapons and join Jezebel on the bed.
I was unable to escape the feeling that we were children once again, being told a story before bed.
“According to legends passed down our line, Annellius Alabath was the first and only warrior in history to reveal he had Angelblood in his veins.”
“How is that possible?” Jezebel propped her chin in her hand. “Shouldn’t all Alabaths have it, as well?”
“It was removed after him,” I answered.
“And it was dormant before him,” my father added.
“Angelblood can be dormant?” Jezebel and I exchanged a weighted glance.
“It needs an agent to activate it. Supposedly, Annellius discovered the Alabath secret and created the agent in order to birth the effects within himself.” Disapproval twisted my father’s lips.
“What were they?” I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around myself to ward off the eerie chill spreading through my body. “The effects?”
“Accounts differ. Some say he was gifted strength and speed even greater than that of the fae. Some say he ascended as an Angel when he died. My father told me when the blood was activated, Annellius was visited by an Angel. Given a task.”
Breath lodged in my throat. “What was it?”
“I don’t know. Whatever it was, he died before completing it.”
So, Annellius grew greedy in his pursuit of this task. The Angelblood was removed from his body and from those who came after him.
Until me, Damien had implied. If only I could call on the damn Angel when I needed him.
In the shadows of the room, I swore I heard a soft chuckle. Jezebel’s spine straightened, but before she could say anything, I pushed myself off the edge of the bed, boots thudding to the floor as I stood.
“And that’s the end of the tale?”
“Yes, but as I said, it’s all lore. Who’s to say my father’s account is any more accurate than the other tales? There are barely any detailed ledgers.”
Theories careened through my head quicker than an Angel’s wings. There was order to be found in the chaos—I knew it. “Can I see the records that do exist?”
Suspicious eyes held mine. Then he stood and said, “I’ll see what I can find.”
I thanked the Spirits my father had always been a fastidious record keeper, housing copies of documents both in the Second’s suite here and in Palerman.
“Thank you.” I stepped forward, wrapped my arms around him, and pressed my ear to his chest to listen to the steady beat of his heart. “I’m glad you made it here.”
For the first time since stepping foot in this room, I allowed the relief of seeing my father to crash over me, grateful for being given a second chance at life.
I didn’t know why the Spirits had told me of the Angelblood. I wasn’t sure why Damien had referenced it again in the mountains. But I would find out.
“I’m happy you’re okay.” My father kissed the top of my head. “Both of you.” He held out an arm for Jezebel to join us. “And I’ll do whatever I can to ease this transition with the Rapture and council.”
Only the tightness of his voice told me how pained he was by Lucidius’s betrayal. A stark reminder of how deep this deceit went. Not only in my own life, but across all of Gallantia.
We couldn’t escape the pain that man and Kakias had brought into our lives, but I swore to every Angel above I’d get my revenge.
“I’m proud of you both.” His eyes settled on the gleaming spear leaning against the wall. “This is your time.”