Sofia.
Silas had found his daughter. The tear-stained smile he aimed at Cassandra had her own eyes stinging.
Though her tears froze at the sight of the solitary figure beyond the edge of the crowd, his bonded white dragon curled up in a clearing behind him.
Cael looked murderous. The same expression he’d worn when Cassandra had first met him in the Temple atrium in Thalenn what felt like a thousand years ago. Tristan claimed Cael had softened these past months under Xenia’s influence. But now that Cael was on the verge of losing her…
Cassandra shook her head. She wouldn’t think about it. It wasn’t possible. Theywouldget Xenia back.
A purple disc of mentrite floated below Tristan’s chin, amplifying his voice to the sprawling crowd.
“Rebel hearts!” he shouted, a deep boom that shivered through Cassandra’s bones. “Are you ready to take back your continent?”
The roar he’d summoned shook the cosmos.
“Before we march upon Delos to tear my brother from a throne which he has no right to occupy, I have a few announcements. First and foremost, I’d like to offer my sincerest gratitude to our Delphine, Ione Saros. Not only did she rescue me from my brother’s clutches, but she’s worked tirelessly overthe years to steer the movement toward this very moment. None of us would be here today without her.”
He offered Ione a humble bow, which she returned, stiffly, then pressed her palms together at her chest and touched the opal on her platinum circlet.
“Next,” Tristan continued, “I’d like to announce a few additions to my Imperial Council. Leaders who have pledged to uphold our values and to usher in a better world for you, your loved ones, and every living creature on this planet, regardless of species or status.”
Applause rippled through the crowd, along with joyful laughter and shouts of agreement.
So different from the last time Cassandra had watched a powerful Erabis male address a crowd.
Back in Thalenn, on that fateful day months ago when she’d been arrested, Eamon Erabis had issued threatening decrees based on fear and hatred to his subjects.
Today, Tristan Erabis spoke in gratitude, in love, and in service to his people.
Cassandra’s chest swelled with the deepest pride.
“First,” Tristan began, “is a female that some of you have likely heard of, though you’ve only heard half her story. You know her as one of the greatest dancers in the history of Ethyrios. But at the same time as she was climbing those ranks, she was honing her craft as a spy and assassin. Now granted, it was for my father’s backwards Empire, but we’ll give her a pass on that.”
Good-natured ribbing echoed, followed by a long wolf-whistle from Ronin. Cassandra could’ve sworn she saw Mireille blushing—an extremely rare sight.
Tristan encouraged quiet as his tone intensified. “We will give her a pass because she’s spent the past two centuries in Tartarus, protecting half-breeds and humans from Fae whosought to harm and exploit them. She’s got the scars to prove it.” Tristan locked eyes with Mireille. “But though she is scarred, she is anything but broken. Please welcome our new Captain of Intelligence, Mireille Valois-Fortin!”
Cheers swept through the rebels, the loudest from Ronin, as Mireille sashayed onto the stage to shake hands with Tristan. True to form, she wore no smile, only thatfuck with me and I’ll end you alllook that Cassandra remembered so well from their training sessions. She nodded toward the rebels, then retook her spot next to Ronin, who wore a big, goofy grin.
Tristan continued, “Next is a male you know quite well. He’s been risking his fur-covered hide for centuries, feeding you vital information as a member of Eamon’s Defense Council. And though his wartime history with humans is marred by blood and violence, he is living proof that we are all capable of great change if we can earn the forgiveness of those we’ve harmed. And learn to forgive ourselves. The new leader of my war committee—General Ronin Matakos!”
Ronin climbed the platform to shake Tristan’s hand and showboat for the crowd, who’d leapt to their feet. When he rejoined Mireille, he muttered something that sounded likethey cheered louder for me. Mireille elbowed him in the ribs.
Tristan went on, bestowing the title of General upon Hella and adding her to Ronin’s war committee. Aneka welcomed Hella back into the audience by leaping into her girlfriend’s arms and fusing their mouths together.
When the furious celebrations finally died down, he spoke up again. “I would not be standing here before you were it not for this next male. He saved my life countless times during our tenure as Vestian Guards. Plus, a few of us would still be stuck in Tartarus if he hadn’t ended the reign of his maniacal father and won himself afucking dragon.”
The crowd whooped and hollered while Signys preened, fluttering her giant wings and releasing a contented puff of smoke.
Tristan choked up on the next part. “He’s taught me the true meaning of resilience. That your injuries don’t define your limits. And that the deadliest weapon you can possess is a friend who isn’t afraid to sit with you in your darkness. There’s no one I’d rather have guarding my back. Meet the new Captain of my Imperial Guard—Cael Zephyrus!”
Signys shot a column of bright, crackling flame into the twilight sky as the rebels erupted. Cael portaled to the stage, his face slightly softer. Tristan curled a hand around the back of Cael’s neck and pressed their foreheads together.
“We’ll get her back,” Tristan whispered to his friend. “We’ll burn a path through the Halfway if we have to.”
Cael grimaced, offered a stiff bow to the crowd with his wing flared, then portaled back to Signys’s side. He was even less comfortable with the praise than Mireille.
“And last but certainly not least…” His eyes flicked to Cassandra and her heart kicked into a frenzied beat. “I have a shameful confession for you all. Up until very recently, I wasn’t sure if I believed in your Goddess.”
