Page 78 of The Flame

I didn’t have to think about it. “One hundred percent sure.”

My throat went dry when I stepped in front of the camera. I couldn’t see the people, the cameraman and his encouraging smile filled my vision.

Beyond the walls of the Foundation Hall, a crescendo of voices rose into, “The Flame! The Flame!” and I knew the people could see me.

I put a hand up, a hesitant, shy wave, and waited for the noise to simmer down, and then I started speaking.

“Dear Friends, thank you for coming today, for standing as one. Look to your left, look to your right, look at what we have done.”

I looked into the camera, forced to wait as another chorus of chants went up.

“In the following days, you’ll be given the opportunity to nominate your candidates, as has been explained to you. Think carefully, choose wisely, and please be aware that I am withdrawing myself from any nomination. So if you were thinking of showing your support by voting for The Flame, please donot. I’d hate to see even one voice lost in a vote that will not count.

“My place is not up here, on a screen. My place is there—” I gestured toward the camera, to the people “—standing with you, standing amongst you, and if ever a time comes when we are not heard, my voice will join with yours and we will roar.”

I stood there a moment longer, smiling at the roar of voices that shook the air and trembled the glass in the windows, and then I stepped away from the camera and walked out of the room into the hallway, where Roman waited for me.

“Let’s go home.”

He threw an arm around my shoulder, tucking me close as we walked. “And where is home?”

I tilted my head to look up at him. “Home is wherever you are. I’ve done all I have to do.”

Warmth and humor creased into his eyes. “Until you find something new that must be done.”

My heart swelled with love and all the things that made Roman. “Well, now that you mention it, I have been thinking about the wilds and the unknown world beyond the river. I know it’s dangerous, but you’ve gone and returned and I’m sure we can find a way to sneak passed the barons and—”

His mouth came down, crushing my words in a kiss that melted me to the bone.

“Is that your way of silencing me?” I said when I found my breath again. “Not that I’m complaining. Keep doing that, and I’ll happily remain silent forever.”

His grin was arrogant and charming and sexy as all sin. “By forever, I take it you mean a week or two?”

“Hmm, that kiss was definitely worth a month.” I grinned impishly. “Maybe two.”

24

Six Weeks Later

We were gathered in the square again. There’d been some hiccups, but the final vote had been cast and the three newly elected leaders of our Tri-Electorate governing body were preparing to address us from the bandstand.

Despite the ice front that had blown in during the night, it seemed like every man, woman and child was on the streets, packed here into the square with us or around a screen somewhere. Stalls were set up throughout Capra, offering cups of hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies, not quite on the same scale but reminiscent of Foundation Ball festivities.

Today had been declared a national holiday, the first amendment to Capra’s legislation. The first of many. This was just the beginning.

I stood near the bandstand, but toward the edge of the crowd. Jessie and her husband, Harry, stood by my side. Lisa and her husband Brian stood on my other side.

Roman stood behind me, his arms around my waist, folding me in his strength and warmth and scent—my rock, the support and love that underpinned the foundation of my world. He wasn’t dressed in warden black. He was here as my husband. Fornow, we were firmly based in Capra. James had stepped down and Roman’s promotion to senior warden had come through. He hadn’t yet decided whether he’d pursue the position of High Warden when the time came. Our future was an adventure in the making.

I rested the back of my head against his chest and looked up at him.

He pressed a kiss to my forehead, murmuring, “All okay?”

“Perfect.” Some days I wondered how we got here, then I looked into his eyes and saw the answer.

Movement on the bandstand drew our attention.

Daniel Edgar stood forward and raised a hand, preparing to address the crowd. Maybe it was the comfort of familiarity, or some version of the old regime rearing its head, but he’d been elected with the highest vote count. He wasn’t the old council, though. His beliefs aligned with mine and when he spoke, it was impossible to doubt the innovative transformation he championed for.

---