Page 135 of Godless Saints

“Will the following Patronage Seat winners please stand.”

“Aster Court. Moon Hyun-seo.” All of Aster clapped as I walked up on stage. The Aster representative pinned the gold and ivory four-point star over my heart, and I moved to stand next to last year’s winner.

“Dahlia Court. Seraphine Martin.” Dahlia clapped and cheered as she walked up. They pinned the powder-blue dahlia with a gold key through the stem over her heart.

“Vesper Court. Camille Caron.” Vesper cheered loud. They pinned the silver moth with obsidian accents over her heart.

“Thorn Court. Anton Smirnov.” Thorn went wild. Misha was cheering from our section, heads turning in confusion.

“I’m Thorn Court. He’s my guy,” Misha said sheepishly.

The four of us stood together for the first time as the incoming Seats. Then the senior Patron stepped forward, voice carrying through the nave.

“Year One earned you a Seat. From this day forward, you speak in your Court’s name. You will earn Favor. Forge alliances. Command resources. Sanction Blood Writs. Protect your Court’s interests above your own.”

He looked at each of us.

“By year’s end, one Court will raise the Black Chalice. Alright then, let’s hear from our new Patronage Seats. Moon Hyun-seo.”

Applause started, and I heard Sawyer whistle in the crowd, along with Mikhail. I stepped up to the podium, the gold and ivory star heavy over my heart.

“Thank you. Thank you.”

Okay. Here goes.

“I thought strength meant standing alone.”

The nave went quiet.

“Evermourne taught me otherwise. This year tested every certainty I had. Reputation. Legacy. Control. I believed excellence was enough. That alliances created weakness.”

I paused, letting the words settle.

“They don’t. Pressure reveals character. Legacy isn’t protecting the past. It’s making sure the people who come after us inherit something stronger. The strongest alliances are rarely the easiest ones. And sometimes the person who changes your future isn’t the one who agrees with you.”

My gaze flicked briefly to the crowd. To Cillian.

“I confused perfection with strength. Distance with control. Independence with leadership.”

I looked back at the crowd.

“Leadership is making difficult choices. Accepting criticism. Protecting your people. Choosing progress over comfort. This year taught me that the greatest risk isn’t changing. It’s refusing to. As your Patronage Seat, I will protect Aster’s legacy, not by preserving it exactly as it is, but by ensuring it remains strong enough to face what comes next.”

I stepped back from the podium. The other three gave their speeches. Then the masked Patron returned to the stage.

“Before we conclude the night with the annual winner of the Black Chalice, let’s address the matter of the Blood Writs.”

They announced three successful Blood Writs, each giving Vesper another ten points. Thorn gained ten from one successful Writ. Aster gained ten.

“Now onto the failed Blood Writ. The following Blood Writ was accepted by Aleksei Lovchy, lawfully transferred to Cillian Ashbourne, and subsequently transferred to Declan Carrick. Responsibility now rests with its final bearer.” The crowd went silent. We all turned to look for him.

“Declan Carrick. Will you step forward?”

“He’s not here,” someone from Thorn Court yelled.

I looked at Cillian. What the fuck aren’t you telling me?

Why did I feel guilty? Fuck, Cillian. What did you do? He kept watching me with those steady eyes.