Chapter Twenty-four #2
He was right. Afterall, it was the reconnaissance mission she’d sent them on that brought them to me.
It was a huge task for her to delegate to them, considering it could have started a war on the spot if they were outed.
Well, it had started a war, but for an entirely different reason…
I shook the distracted thought away. The point was that she had trusted Elijah and his team to act in her stead.
I nodded slowly, processing the information carefully before a realization slammed into me. “I need a right hand.”
You do.
A grimace filled my face as I tried to think through my options.
“It can’t be one of my men.” While I always welcomed their advice, and they would undoubtedly be with me constantly, I understood that there was an obvious conflict of interest. I couldn’t imagine how they would react, certainly not always appropriately, when dealing with difficult situations.
Barnabus’ chuckle filled my head, and I found the deep, velvety sound oddly comforting. There was something natural about our connection, one I’d felt before I could even hear him.
You’re right, it shouldn’t be one of them. Although, based on the possessiveness they display, your men may not love the idea of someone else being your right hand.
I smiled affectionately and let out a small laugh as I thought of their reaction to someone who wasn’t one of them being constantly at my side. “They may be protective,” I said, cocking my head as I considered my next words. The truth of them burned brightly within me. “They also trust me.”
Then why do you believe it shouldn’t be one of them?
“I can’t trust that they wouldn’t put what benefits and protects me before the empire. I love my men, but I need someone who will be blunt and honest with me.”
His fuzzy head cocked to the side. Spoken like a true leader. Do you have someone in mind?
I chewed my lip as I ruminated on the people I had gotten to know during my time in the Tridian Empire.
In an instant, the perfect fit came to mind.
“Yes.” Whether they would accept the position or not…
Well, that was another story. “I’m going to go ask them now, actually. Would you like to come with me?”
I will come by later. I believe this is something you should do on your own, Barnabus answered as his wings extended and he rose up into the sky. I believe in you, Kyella. Myrin believed in you. Go forth, embrace your role as the new Empress.
With those words, he flitted away, and I turned to go back inside, feeling more determined than ever.
It was a little overwhelming, the idea of taking over for Myrin, but having a direction and a specific task to begin with helped settle my mind.
Walking back down the hall, I found my men casually talking amongst themselves.
I wasn’t proud to admit that I was relieved to see that the room had mostly cleared of the lords and previous advisors.
“I need to go visit Tristan and Bailey,” I announced without preamble, and each of them looked at me with varied levels of surprise.
“Is everything okay?” Kolvar asked, his brow dipping in confusion as he approached me, placing his hand protectively on the small of my back.
“Yes, I just needed to clear my head. Now, I feel as if I’ve found some clarity on what my first task as Empress should be,” I explained.
“We wanted to give you as much time as possible.” Elijah approached me, cupping my cheek momentarily as if needing to feel that I was okay before backing up. “We heard you talking, so we figured you were sorting things out.”
I thought I had been quiet enough, but I often forgot about enhanced vampyre hearing, despite possessing it myself.
Curious, I asked, “What did you hear?”
Elijah shrugged, “Not much. We were trying to give you your privacy and figured you were just talking things out aloud.”
My lips almost tipped up at that, wondering how they would react if they knew the truth.
I met Dakath’s gaze. My stomach jumped pleasantly as he quirked a questioning eyebrow in my direction, likely having seen my expression of amusement.
Maybe one day I would explain to them that Barnabus could talk, but right now, it felt like an important secret to keep.
“Why do you need to go see them?” Dakath asked, bringing us back to my goal.
Preparing myself for possible hurt feelings on their part, I answered, “I realized that I need a right hand.”
Elijah froze before looking down at me, examining my expression with interest. He was who I was most nervous about, considering he had been Myrin’s right hand. Relief speared through my gut when I saw realization fill his gaze.
“You want Tristan as your right hand?”
“I think it’s the right choice,” I hedged, hoping I didn’t hurt him.
Elijah’s expression turned contemplative, his brows pinching together.
“It makes sense. I’m slightly concerned about his lack of experience with the Tridian Empire…
But given your relationship and his honor, it certainly makes sense.
The three of us will be close to you at all times—we will always help with whatever you need—but Tristan is a good choice for your right hand.
I will do my part to help teach him the responsibilities of the empire. ”
Dakath let out a low rumble of approval. “It does make sense. I just hope he’s willing to step up and fill that spot. It’s a huge honor and is to be taken seriously by the holder.”
Kolvar nodded as his fingers traced my back soothingly. “I agree that he’s the right choice for you and the empire. It may also give his wife and daughter some relief that he is in such an important position, rather than being a foot soldier who is directly on the battlefield.”
I hadn’t considered that, and while I wouldn’t directly bring it up to Tristan or Bailey, I had a feeling Kolvar was right.
“I love and trust each of you so much,” I said sincerely, my chest squeezing with the strength of emotion I felt for them.
It made my heart happy to hear them agree with my choice, stating the reasons I felt Tristan was the best choice to move forward.
“I will always turn to you for advice, but I think that we need someone who is willing to tell me the stuff I don’t want to hear.
Someone who isn’t going to try to protect me above all else. ”
“We will always protect you first and foremost,” Kolvar admitted with a smile before dropping a kiss on top of my head. “Let’s go talk to them then.”
Elijah nodded and gently moved me forward, grabbing my hand in his as we walked to their quarters in comfortable silence.
The tone of our group was serious and somber considering everything that had happened today, but I felt determined and hopeful.
With my men, possibly Tristan, and Barnabus by my side, I was starting to feel like I could do this.
When we reached their room, I knocked on the door, nerves tearing away at my stomach.
After only the first tap, Tristan pulled open the door.
Glancing into their quarters, the first thing I noticed was Bailey folding clothes on the bed where Rina slept.
The little girl’s face was red from what I assumed was crying.
Pain seized my chest thinking about how hard today must have been for her.
I knew she had come to love Myrin, and dealing with death at such a young age…
It wasn’t something I wished upon anyone.
“Is this a bad time?” I nodded toward Rina in question. As eager as I was to have this conversation, I also understood that their little one came first, and I didn’t want to risk waking her up. “I can come back later.”
“No, no, please come in,” Bailey insisted, motioning to a small set of couches situated near a fireplace.
Their suite was small and cozy, and I made a mental note to procure them a larger room if one was available.
I wanted Rina to even have a balcony so she could play out in the sun whenever she wanted.
My men spread out, and I sat down on the couch as Tristan and Bailey turned toward me, their faces reflecting the level of sadness I felt in my heart. I knew the empire would heal from Myrin’s death, and I would do anything I could to help, but no one would ever, ever forget.
“I’ll make this quick,” I promised. “I’m sure sleep is exactly what she needs right now.”
“She’s been crying for a bit,” Tristan grunted out, dragging his hand over his face roughly.
Dark circles lined his dull eyes, and his body sagged as he considered me.
“First the news of me leaving and then Myrin’s death…
It’s been a difficult day for her to understand. She will probably sleep for some time.”
I nodded in understanding. “I need to ask something of you,” I started softly, nervously twiddling my fingers in my lap. “I’m not sure if you’re aware yet, but Myrin has named me the new Empress of the Tridian Empire.”
Bailey’s mouth opened in surprise as Tristan nodded, not seeming entirely surprised.
“I will be leading the empire into war, and once we return, I will take the throne,” I said as steadily as possible, trying to infuse confidence into my tone.
There was no other option. “We all know I have no experience in doing any of this, so I will need as much help as possible. Which is why I’m here. ”
Tristan cocked his head at me, curiosity bringing some life back to his eyes.
“I need someone I can trust. Someone with integrity. Someone I can confide in.” I saw both of their gazes dart to my men behind me, and I bit back a small smile.
I shook my head slightly before continuing, “Most important of all, though, is someone who will tell me exactly what their opinion is on a situation, even when it may hurt me. Even if it may mean I’m in danger in some way.
Whatever it is, I need someone who will give me the blunt and honest truth. "
Bailey’s eyes darted to Tristan as a soft smile pulled the corners of her lips up.
“Which is where you come in Tristan,” I stated, holding his gaze.
“I want you as my right hand, as Elijah was for Myrin. You share the same dream, the same mission as myself—we want this empire to remain a symbol of freedom. More than that, we each want to release those stuck under Malakai’s oppressive rule.
I need help doing that. I need someone by my side who is willing to uphold those standards with me. ”
Tristan’s brow was furrowed as he sighed and clasped his hands together. He leaned forward as he admitted, “I have no experience with the politics associated with the Tridian Empire—”
“Neither do I,” I interrupted, raising my brows as I emphatically continued, “but that also means you don’t have a bias on how you think this empire should operate.
You can help me ensure it runs the best way possible for its people.
And it helps that we will have several people around us that do have experience in the Tridian Empire. ”
Bailey spoke up, rubbing his back in a show of support, “You would be an amazing advisor, honey.”
He smiled at his wife softly before looking back at me with a serious expression. “I would be honored to help, Kyella. As long as you’re sure I’m the right person for the job. If it doesn’t work out, please do not think I will be offended if you feel like you need to find someone else.”
“You are the right person,” I assured him, but I appreciated his consideration.
“Our family will help anyway we can,” Bailey said, strength infusing her voice.
I nodded at the woman, appreciation for her warming my heart.
“I know I won’t be with any of you on the battlefield, but I’m more than willing to help here in any way possible.
The families staying behind will no doubt have the same fear as I do, and I’d like to help ease those fears as much as possible. ”
A thought had been in the back of my mind of who would help uphold those standards while we were gone, and hearing her say that made it clear.
“Then that is what you will do.” I reached over and squeezed her hand, making a mental note to bring her further into the process. She was the exact type of person I wanted help from. Someone with compassion and strength infused in every element of their personality.
Standing up, I looked at all of them and nodded. “We are going to win this war, not only for Myrin—but to unite the two lands as they should have always been, under peace and justice.”