Page 10 of The Court of Truth

“Now that the tension has dissipated, what shall we discuss first?” Raiden asks, my gaze darting to his as he gives me a pointed look.

“Don’t,” I warn, fighting the urge to scrub at my chest just like Cassian had done a moment earlier.

“What? You’re not the only one sensing it,” he pushes, and I shake my head at him.

“It’s okay, Dagger,” Brody says, alleviating the tension threatening to consume the room. “You’re doing the right thing. So is he. This is new to everyone, but you can bet your sweet ass we’ll figure it out. Always,” he promises, easing the ache just a little.

Nodding, I drop down into Cassian’s now-empty seat, feeling the loss of him even more as Arlo clears his throat. I use the moment to shake off the stress before turning to face him.

I can sense the uncertainty in his eyes as he peers at me, but I nod, encouraging him to continue with whatever is going through his mind. It doesn’t matter what’s going on with me. I’m the queen of the Floodborn Kingdom, my own problems can’t precede that.

Arlo laces his fingers together, leaning on the table as he looks around at everyone. “Maybe the first order of business should be to officially acknowledge whether or not the roles are accepted,” he states, and Raiden scoffs.

“We have a choice?”

“Technically? No, but?—”

“We wouldn’t decline anyway,” Kryll states firmly, eyes locked on me, and I smile.

“For good measure, let her hear it,” Arlo pushes, and they all murmur their agreement to their roles without making a big deal out of it, thankfully.

“Great. What’s next on the docket?” I ask, trying to focus on the task at hand instead of my own concerns.

Arlo turns his attention to Beau. “I think we should all get dressed and Beau needs to leave.”

“Why?” I blurt, frowning at him as Beau starts to stand like this isn’t his home.

“Because he hasn’t been appointed,” Arlo offers with a simple shrug, like it explains everything, and I shake my head.

“What other roles are there?” I push, catching sight of Beau shaking his head from the corner of my eye. I can sense the words coming before he even parts his lips and raise my hand to block him out as I remain focused on Arlo.

“You want me here?” he asks, ignoring the signal to shut up, and I sigh.

“Yes.”

“Raiden is the Head of Defense, but it would be ideal if you had someone specifically in charge of commanding the soldiers too,” Arlo offers, and I nod, liking that role for the man already.

He may not have helped the first time I came across frenzied vampires, but he did the time after, and I trust in him to do the right thing. A family member of Kryll’s, especially after meeting his mother too, and his willingness to let us stay here only confirms his intentions are good.

“Do you accept?” I ask, glancing at the man in question.

“What about Cassian?” he asks, catching me by surprise, but I hide behind a tapered smile as I softly shake my head.

“Cassian has far too much going on already to even contemplate dealing with all of this too. Once everything calms down on his end, we can readdress the situation. But for you, do you accept the role or not?”

He stands tall, nodding in understanding before he speaks. “It would be my honor.”

His gaze leaves mine as a subtle look passes between the brothers, a wave of pride floating over the room before Kryll snickers. “Great, now sit your ass down.”

“Why wasn’t this part taught in any of the classes?” Brody asks, scrubbing at the back of his neck, and I can’t help but nod in agreement. I haven’t been appointed Queen for a whole twenty-four hours yet and I’ve asked myself that question more times than I care to admit. I’m not even surewhichpart he means because it all feels scrambled to me already.

“Maybe they hadn’t gotten to it yet,” Kryll murmurs, glancing at his brother for guidance since he was a professor at the academy.

If it’s an answer he’s seeking, all he receives is a shrug. “My focus was to prepare you all for combat and possible wars between any and all entities, this stuff was not in my purview,” he explains as Arlo clears his throat.

“So, the first topics in the first meeting called are required to focus on the kingdom’s economy, safety, allies, enemies, and your plans for relocation,” he advises, and a warmth spreads in my chest. The kind that only forms to confirm that I've made the right decision.

Flora grins with pride, staring at Arlo in wonder, and I have to bite back a smirk of my own. If he says this is the conversation we need to have, then we’ll have it because I trust his words and his ability in this role, just as I do everyone else in theirs.

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