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16
Pulling my gaze from them, I allowed my eyes to seek each and every one of the faces before me. Rows and rows of tables were filled with people like me. The daughters, sons, and grandsons of the warriors who fought and died alongside my parents and my aunt. Or the families protected by us, people who suffered under Raithian’s cruel rule, and the raids and battles we were forced to experience afterwards.
“Before my aunt, Sacha Skyborne died, she had one last request for me.” I spoke loudly, addressing my entire kin. “She asked me to let go of all pride, all resentment, anger, and judgement. She asked me to be a true leader and put my kin, my kingdom, first. My Amma asked me to risk everything for you like she had, like so many of your loved ones did, knowing I would not shy away from the challenge. Her last request for me was to search for the Harbinger of Justice, in the hopes he would return to us and help us end this bloodshed. So, I did.”
“Cursed be his name!” they added in unison, spitting on the floor. I held my hands before me and took a calming breath. I had no idea why that suddenly bothered me so much; not long ago, I had cursed his name myself.
“I know it was hard for all of you to accept what I must do. It was hard for me, and even though I knew not everyone would agree, even though I knew some of you would lose faith in me, I had to do it.”
My gaze swept over Lachlan’s clan, pausing on him before my attention returned to the rest of the room.
“Not only because it was her last wish and it was my duty to honor it, but because this fight has never been about me, my pride, my honor, or my resentment. It is about you. It has always been about you, and you deserve a leader who will do even what they detest doing, if there is a chance that it will save you.”
Walking around the table, I stood at the edge of the floor that rose above them, leaving nothing between us.
“The Harbinger of Justice is dead,” I announced, feeling a sense of shock sweep the entire cave, leaving everyone speechless. “Like all of our seniors and loved ones, he died protecting something he thought was worth more than his life, and although I do not excuse his decision to leave us, I choose to believe that he did not make it lightly.”
Whispers and speculations instantly arose with my words, but I didn’t let them deter me. However, the moment Lachlan stood, my eyes went to him, seeing him begin to make his way towards the dais where I stood.
“Now that I have put to rest my aunt’s last wish, I also choose to believe that although all our seniors have perished, their wisdom and strength have not. It is up to us now to keep our race alive. To fight for this majestic land and world that we love with every inch of our beings.”
The sting of defeat slowly made its way through me when I noticed more men and women stand from among my kin, making their way to the Battlesky clan with my admission. My gaze briefly connected with Lachlan’s, but I rejected him, standing tall and focusing on the many who remained with me.
“Although some of you might see this as my failure, I see it as my awakening. And Iwill notlet this stop us!” I vowed.
“Yeah!” Some yelled from the back tables, lifting fists of loyalty and courage, while the rest applauded my words, giving me strength.
“If there was only one thing I learned from my parents, is to never stop fighting for what I believe in, and there is nothing in this world or the next that I believe in as fiercely as I believe in all of you. Now more than ever, I’m determined to end this war, free the rest of our brothers and sisters, and reclaim the entirety of our world so we can once again be the magnificent paradise we were. I vow to you that nothing will stop me. My will shall never falter. I will fight for you until there is no more breath left in me, but I can’t do it without you. Will you stand with me still? Will you fight by my side so we can do this together?”
My pulse raced, heart slamming against my chest in both fear and hope while I waited for their answer.
“I stand with you, Princess. With you by our side, we are never alone,” Kingston vowed loud enough for the entire hall to hear, and bent the knee before me as proof of his unyielding devotion.
“I stand with you, Princess. With you by our side, we are never alone,” his warriors shouted in unison, kneeling just like their Chief had done. Emotion rushed through me at the sight of man, woman and child, standing one by one from the tables and falling on their knees, reciting the same vow and professing their loyalty.
Tears stung my eyes at the same time that relief coursed through me, but I blinked them away, straightening before my people. Movement from my left called my attention, and I noticed Lachlan standing a few feet away. There was both need and remorse in his eyes, and although I didn’t blame him or anyone for what occurred, it hurt to see him.
Turning away, I attempted to leave, but his voice stopped me.
“I stand with you, hallowed Princess Evanna. With you by our side, we are never alone…”
Swallowing, I glanced over my shoulder to see him bend the knee, a hand over his heart as he bowed his head.
“I was hoping we could talk,” he whispered once he stood, approaching me, but I stepped back, making him halt his advance. “Evanna?” Confusion filled his eyes at my retreat.
“I’m tired. The trip to the Mirror World was more taxing than I anticipated. I just wish to rest.”
“You haven’t even eaten,” he reasoned, motioning to the fully served banquet on the table, but my eyes wandered to the members of my family now in his clan.
They knelt too, following his lead.
“I seem to have lost my appetite.” Fine, so maybe I was a little resentful towards him after what happened. I wasn’t perfect.
Motioning to Kingston and his Elevated Warriors to enjoy the feast at my table, I saw them hesitate as they looked at their Warrior Chief. With one nod of his head, they sat down and began to eat.
“Evanna, I never meant for this to happen,” Lachlan offered as I turned again.
“And yet, now they believe in you like they once did in me and my family. I guess it all worked out for you.” I crossed the doors towards my quarters again, but my feet halted when he stopped before me, obstructing my path.
