A momentary flash of worry made Thom question if they would request some future that he would be incapable of joining.
“Evylin and I,” Deckard said, “have decided to accept the appointment as Chancellor and Commander of Loclight Province.”
Thom’s breath whooshed out of his lungs, and Ilain nudged Ethenn.
“This is the life we desire,” Deckard said confidently. “A life devoted to serving our people. We will do everything in our power to govern the province and the Order of the Heavens with honor and justice.”
“However,” Evylin said with a playful lilt in her voice, “we ask for the ability to travel regularly. We miss our friends and family, and many of them won’t be in Loclight with us.”
The ministers nodded readily, and Archminister Essen brushed her hand through the air. “We can make arrangements for that,” she assured them. “Is that all?”
“For now,” Evylin said.
“Very well.” She turned to Thom. “Should we presume that you’ll accept your post as well,GeneralDeckard?”
Thom paused for an extended moment to consider this new path. He had envisioned a situation in which Deckard and Evylin accepted the appointment but never thought it would actually happen. Now, he found himself uncertain about his next steps. He questioned whether he could be an effective head of the guard or if he’d fail as he’d failed so many things in life.
“I, uh—” Thom cleared his throat and took a single step forward. “I’m sorry, I know I want to stay with Jonn and Evie, but...I don’t think I’d like the position.”
Deckard watched him with his ever-steady brotherly affection while Evylin smirked. “You don’t want to protect us?” she teased.
“I tried that once,” Thom bantered. “It didn’t work out well.”
A moment of silence passed before Essen asked, “Do you need more time?”
Thom nodded. “If you don’t mind.”
“Well then, Captain, we’ll grant you an extension,” she said. “We do not wish to rush any of you.”
Thom gave her a small bow. “Thank you, ma’am. I greatly appreciate it.”
The archminister dipped her head in return, then straightened. “And Captain Lohen, what is your request?”
Thom took a deep breath, resisting the urge to turn back to Brea too quickly. She rested one arm on the other, her fingers touching her mouth in contemplation. Her deadpan gaze startled him, a look far too serious for his taste.
“Captain?” the archminister repeated.
Brea lowered her arms and walked past Thom toward the ministers. With her chin held high, she spoke. “Ministers, I appreciate this opportunity and the trust you extend toward me with your offer to become a commander in our nation. You hold me in high regard, and I acknowledge that honor. However, I must decline your request.”
Thom’s stomach quaked. Had she just . . . ?
“I have no desire to be a commander,” Brea continued. “Mistakenly, I made a promise to the Alliance long ago when I was a youth, and I lost someone very dear to me because of it. I was prepared to keep that promise as a sacrifice. But I cannot do it.”
There was a moment of silence before one of the female ministers from the east gave Brea an encouraging smile. “While we are surprised, we fully respect your decision,” she said.
Brea bowed her head in gratitude. “I do wish to serve the Alliance,” she said vehemently. “Which is why I would ask that you allow me to become the head of chancellor and commander Deckards’ guard.”
While everyone else started in shock, Thom chuckled.
Brea turned to look at him as if seeking his permission.
“Take it,” he said, smiling. “You’ll be far better at it than I would.”
She paused briefly to smile back at him.
“If that’s the job you want, Captain,” Archminister Essen said with a warm, matronly smile, “then we would be happy to offer it to you.” And why wouldn’t they? Brea would undoubtedly be the finest general the world had ever known.
“Thank you,” Brea replied, yet she remained in place. She clenched and unclenched her fists at her side. “I have one more request.”
