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Nothing.
I had gone to the mirror world to find the Harbinger because my aunt believed I couldn’t defeat Raithian without him, and I failed them all. I had no idea what telling them I came back empty handed would do, but my parents had ruled with the truth before them, and so did I.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Willow asked after my prolonged silence, and I took yet another strengthening breath, hands dropping to my sides.
“You are giving me a migraine, that’s what is wrong.”
Making a face, she reached for my hand, holding it tightly. “Yes, you have to tell them you didn’t bringhimback, but they won’t stop believing in you because of it. It takes a strong leader to accept they need help, and even a stronger one to set their pride and honor aside in order to seek it, and be willing to beg for help. We know that, like your family, there is nothing you wouldn’t do for us, and you have proved that to us time and time again. You have been there for us, now trust that we will be there for you. I believe you will find a way.”
Hugging her, I accepted her reassuring words, even if I didn’t fully believe them.
“Thank you for saying that, but even if they love me, we already saw what happened when I told them I was going to try to find the Harbinger of Justice.”
“Cursed be his name.” Willow spit on the ground again.
“Would you stop that?” I threw my hands in the air, frustrated.
“Why are you defendinghimall of the sudden?!”
“I’m not defending him!” I replied. “It’s just annoying, that’s all.”
A concerned look took over her features and she took a step closer. “What really happened down there in the Mirror World, Evanna?”
“Nothing,” I lied, and her jaw became rigid, seeing right through me. I really needed to learn how to lie.
“Fine. Don’t tell me now, but you know I will find out one way or the other.”
Shaking my head, my shoulders slumped. “I can’t fail them.” My gaze went to the door, hearing the cordial chatter on the other side. “And I can’t lose anyone else.”
“Those who left and stopped believing in you, don’t deserve you as a leader.”
“Those who left had a right to doubt my plan,” I countered. “I doubted my plan. If it hadn’t been Amma’s final request, I doubt I would have even gone through with it.” I pushed the door ajar, glancing at my kin. “Our people have seen more than enough tragedy. I can’t blame them for being scared, for wanting to keep their loved ones safe. They have endured too much loss.”
“So have you,” Willow reminded. “We all have. That doesn’t mean we turn on each other, betraying our friends when things are hard.”
Shaking my head, I glanced back at her. “Lachlan didn’t betray me. Just because someone is my friend doesn’t mean they have to support every outrageous thing I decide to do. I’m not Raithian, that is not how my kingdom is ruled.”
“But it is how true friendship works,” she argued. “Kingston and I may not agree with everything you do, Evanna, or every decision you make, but we know who you are and what is in your heart. We will support you and be there for you even if you are making a mistake, because even when you are in the wrong, you will realize it and make it right. You would never compromise us, that is why you are who you are to us.”
“And I truly appreciate that you see me like that, but not everyone has your blind devotion in me. Lachlan had a right to disagree. To think we needed to trust each other, make each other stronger, instead of looking for someone who betrayed us and no longer cared for this world. In all honesty, I should have listened to him, all I did was waste precious time.”
Letting out a burdened breath, I strengthened myself.
“At least I know that those who no longer believe in me are under his care, because he loves this world as fiercely as I do, and will fight for them regardless of who he has to confront to keep them safe.”
Straightening, I pushed the doors open and walked into the dining space.
The second my people saw me, all conversation stopped. They all stood, placing a hand over their hearts in a sign of devotion, while I made my way to the front of the room, stopping by the long table set for me.
“Please, sit down and continue your meal.”
I watched them all bow to me and retake their places, yet they didn’t continue to eat, just waited for me to speak. The sound of doors opening and closing called my attention, and I turned to see Lachlan enter the hall with his clan—about a hundred and fifty of our people, including warriors who had fought alongside him, and families.
Lachlan had been Kingston’s right hand before speaking up for what he thought was a grave mistake on my part. When he did, those who thought he was right in not asking the Harbinger for help went with him, becoming part of a new clan. The Battlesky clan.
Silently, they bowed to me and took their place at the tables. I might not be their leader anymore, but they still regarded me as their princess.
