Page 127 of A War of Ruin and Reckoning

“There’s a lot about this world we still don’t know. Before us, other fae existed and other magics. Maebh was fascinated with old-world folklore.” Leaf swallowed, remembering some of Crimson’s journal entries. She had suggested new names for this world based on the old tales. The ice queen had played with fire, something she didn’t understand.

“Whatever Willow’s gift was, it’s gone now.” Clarke took a deep breath and said, “I shouldn’t have tried to force the truth out of everyone. In fact, I owe you all a debt of gratitude and another heartfelt apology. You’re my family, too. I love you all. Please know that if anyone needs help, I’m here. No judgment. I want you to trust me enough to reveal secrets or fears you might have. If I hadn’t been so… scared of the Six, maybe they would have told me what Willow would grow to mean to them.”

A ripple of something unknown was felt in the air. It brushed over everyone’s faces, and Leaf didn’t think it was due to a debt owed. This was something else. Nova stepped toward Clarke with compassion in her eyes. “I agree with you about the secrets. Honesty is the only way forward if you want to build a better place.”

“I ate the pie you left cooling on the windowsill.” River gingerly raised his hand. “It was me.”

Laughter burst from every mouth, sufficiently breaking the tension. But River didn’t fool Leaf with his humor. Pain lurked behind his lashless eyes. Jokers often used humor to hide the saddest parts of themselves. Whatever happened on that airship involved Cloud and betrayal. Leaf sensed it in his bones.

The body felt pain for a reason—to sound the alarm when something was wrong. The Prime and Maebh had lost their daughter after the Fallout. They refused to deal with that loss, and in the end, both suffered because of it. No one knew where Cloud was now, but his mental health would be on Ash and River’s minds.

“What now?” Shade asked, his expression grim.

Leaf folded his arms and wondered about the future of the Order, Elphyne, and the people in it.

“Nero’s not done,” he replied. “But before we can determine what’s next, we need a new Prime. We need to find out what happened to the Six, and I guess even our stance on the Unseelie territory. With Maebh gone, who is to rule? Will the Order get involved or remain impartial as usual?” He gestured to Jasper and Aeron. “I don’t want you to deal with that alone.”

“I don’t have an answer for you,” Jasper replied. “But we’re not alone. Even if the Order returns to that impartial place, I know each of you will come to our assistance if we need it. We’ve already proven we have each other’s backs.”

“So who’s the Prime?” Shade asked. “I don’t want the job.”

Every set of eyes turned to Leaf. His pulse quickened, and his skin prickled with heat. The world seemed to close in on him. He shook his head. “No. No more.”

“But you’re Jackson Crimson,” Indigo pointed out. “There’s no one more suited to running the organization you started.”

“No.” Leaf was done. Too much of his life revolved around this. He turned to Nova for help, a plea in his voice. “I’ve given enough.”

“I know,” she whispered. “But I also know there is much work to do.”

“How does one become the Prime?” Laurel asked, cocking her hip.

Thorne gaped, his eyes wide. “You want the position?”

“God, no.” She shook her head vehemently. “No way.”

“Not saying I want the job either, but back to what Laurel asked?” Haze rumbled, frowning at Leaf.

Shrugging, Leaf replied, “Perhaps it’s the same as when the Well passes a tithe from one ruler to another. Isn’t that what happened to Jasper when he killed Mithras and took the glass crown?”

“The Prime unmade herself, though,” Shade returned. “There was no clear handover of power.”

“Maybe someone needs to volunteer for the role,” Leaf added.

They all looked around at each other, each as wary as the first.

“I don’t think anyone here can claim they had the Well’s best interest at heart these past few years.” Forrest looked at Leaf. “Especially not you.”

“There is one person,” Leaf said, surprising himself. “One who stepped up, even when her gift was muted.”

He looked at Clarke.

ChapterFifty-Seven

Leaf shifted his gaze to Clarke, the only one who’d been selflessly directing each Guardian to find their Well-blessed mate. Even when she’d lost her gift, she still tried to keep Leaf on that track. And what he found most impressive was how much she continued to grow as a person.

Her lips parted. She glanced over her shoulder, thinking it was someone else. When she realized no one was behind her, she pointed to her chest and raised her brows. “Me?”

Shade scoffed. “She sent Forrest to Crystal City for selfish reasons.”

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