“That is not true,” Leo said, rising. There was a strange look of worry in his eyes. “Elena, they will follow you. I will make sure of it.”
“Of courseyouwill.” A part of her had tried to deny that her father was not ready to give up the throne, but she saw it so clearly now. He would hold on to any scrap of power he could.
“Everything I do—that they do—is for you. For our throne. Remember that,” Leo said. He tried to take her hand, but she stepped back.
“Then call in Jangir and the gold caps who were part of this attack,” she said. “For me.”
A muscle worked in Leo’s jaw. “I will not. The gold caps give us strength, unity. Eyes and ears our military never could.”
“They’re blind followers, Father,” she argued.
“Their blind faith is what makes us strong, Elena. It’s what makes this throne powerful.”
“I’ve met them. Talked with them. Father, they are crude opportunists and—”
“And we nearly have a war on our border!” Leo snapped. “Who do you think would make a better soldier: a man who constantly criticizes everything you do, or a man who will follow you, no matter what you ask of him? I don’t care if they’re blind. They’remine. And they will fight and bleed for Ravence, andthatis what we need.”
“That’s bullshit,” she said.
“That’s power,” he said, and the look on his face drained her anger, replacing it with fear. “They are loyal men who love this country. And youwillneed them.”
Leo’s eyes flickered over her, but when she said nothing, he returned to his holos.
“Go,” he said in a heavy voice. “If you will not see sense, leave.”
Yassen and Ferma waited outside the king’s study.
“Ferma,” Elena said.
Immediately, Ferma turned to Yassen. “I will take her. You’re dismissed.”
Elena gave Ferma a tight, grateful smile. Once at her room, she sank into a floating ottoman before her vanity as Ferma waved away the handmaidens.
Everything I do—that they do—is for you. For our throne.
She believed in Ravence, believed that one day the people would shed their fear as a desert yuani sheds her old feathers. Spreads her wings anew and launches into the sky. She believed in the dream so much that it hurt. But her kingdom was crumbling right before her eyes, and it was all her family’s fault. Her father did not care. And she could not unite them. She could not wield fire, and without the blessing of the Phoenix, she could not lead Ravence to glory.
Ferma sat down across from her, folding in her long legs. Her tawny gaze fixed upon Elena.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” Elena whispered.
“You’ll learn,” Ferma replied. She touched Elena’s hand. “No ruler is perfect in the beginning. Your father wasn’t, but he knew how to use others to his advantage. He learned by watching them. And your mother.” Ferma shook her head. “She taught him the most.”
Elena thought of her mother: her mess of curls, her eyes the color of dark banyan roots. She was not here to guide Elena toward queendom, nor advise her on the secrets of marriage. She was a ghost only a few suns from fading. All Elena had left of her was memories of them in a dusty library and a scroll she had written in.
“What did the king say to you?” Ferma said gently.
“He said that even though I can’t hold fire, the people will believe in me. But how will they trust in a fraud?Idon’t believe in myself, Ferma. I can’t even hold a flame without burning my hand. Me, the rulerblessedby the Phoenix.” She laughed wildly. “Who is going to believe that? And how long can I hide it?”
“The king will teach you.”
“‘The king will teach you,’” Elena repeated, voice dripping with derision. “The king wants to stay in control, Ferma. He denies me my birthright so he can remain relevant while I sit on the throne, a dummy ruler he had to prop up because of tradition.” Elena paused, the words lying on her tongue before she released them. “Because of my dead mother.”
During Aahnah’s sickness, Leo had promised her that Elena would take the throne, safe and sound. That she would not burn. Aahnah had laughed in his face.
“She knew,” Elena said. “She knew I would not be able to hold fire. That’s why she laughed at him.”
“Aahnah was unwell and not herself,” Ferma said. Her hands were warm and firm around Elena’s. “Pull yourself together, Elena.Youare the heir. You will learn how to hold fire, whether your father wants you to or not. It is in your blood.”
