Page 86 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

"Your guard dog. Your bodyguard."

"I believe you are overqualified."

He leaned in, his eyes searching my face with a hint of mischief. "Oh? The mighty Hood cannot be a mere guard dog for the one he loves?"

I sucked in a breath.

He backed off, running a hand through his hair. "Forgive me, you do not know all. Once you have the entire tale, you may decide if you wish me in your life. Until then, I would merely like to be a person to ensure your safety. Nothing more."

I nodded, considering. "Friends?" I said at last with a tiny, vulnerable smile.

He grinned back as he shook my hand. "Friends.”

A deep silencesettled over my Reds. They were gathered before me, from the oldest to the youngest sprites.

All hoods were down, as was custom when addressing their matriarch. It wasn’t a silence of respect, but one of foreboding. When I had beaten my grandma, it changed everything. What we’d believed, what we’d known… it was all a lie.

And some wished to cling to the lie more than the truth.

Nerves sent my heart pounding against my ribs. I didn’t want to do this. But theyneededa good leader.

It was odd, to feel aneedfrom a mass of folks. My Gift had slowly been growing to encompass more and more people. It was as if it was sentient and realized I was now responsible for more than my family and friends and the few people I passed in the streets. It was broadening, increasing… and burdening. But it was mine. And I realized it was exactly what I needed for such a time as this.

Once, I had thought this Gift useless. If I were to have a Gift of magic that I had to hide, couldn’t it have been something like healing or the ability to grow food, ya know? But this…thiswas what I needed to lead a people to change.

Source knew that.

So when I stood before them, my heart went out to them, which soothed my nerves. I knew this. I knew how to help people through terrible things. Heck, I’d been doing it with my family for years.

“Family of my blood and friends of my soul, I’m sorry.” I stood before them and bowed my head. “I, too, was a Red embroiled in my mire of problems. I was taught so many lies I didn’t know what to believe. I never spoke up about my questions because of fear of retaliation. Perhaps there was no other way, but I would’ve preferred any other way. I would’ve preferred a choice. A way forward where everyone was involved and everyone knew. For the greatest power we hold is choice, and I took that from you. For generations, my family has taken that from you. And for that, I am deeply sorry.”

I clasped my hands behind my back and paused. Then I raised my head, speaking up and out, infusing my voice with truth. “I may be unable to give you a choice of leader, but I can give you a choice now. You are no longer required to serve as Reds if you do not wish it. I ask you to stay until the end of thismonth—nay, I beg it of you—for I feel our battle has only just begun and Ineedyour help. After, you will be free to choose. I will not take that from you.”

The Reds’ cloaks rustled as they shifted. Their eyes remained straight ahead.

“At ease,” I called out.

They relaxed, their eyes moving from straight ahead to rest on me. Even though that was worse to my poor frazzled nerves, I needed them to see my sincerity.

“So long as you hold to our code, you will be free to live your lives as you see fit. There will be no more hunts of pelts nor killing of innocents, but fear not, we will hunt. It will just be a different kind of hunt.” A slow grin spread across my face. One of the Reds straight before me paled and stepped back. “We will hunt those who harm innocents, and we will protect those who are weak. You are the soldiers of the night, the assassins of the murderers, and you will make a difference in this world. What you did of ignorance will not be tallied against you; what you do with full cognizance will be. For now, know that you are not to be peacemakers, but warriors of a different master. We served darkness before. Now we will serve Source and all her light. Dismissed!”

My Reds came as one and saluted with their hands to their chests. “Tutela omnium, fides tribui, vita magicis.”

That was their way of letting me know that I wasn’t in this alone. My Reds were there for me. Even if they didn’t entirely agree with me, they would follow me to the end.

My heart swelled. We may not be where I’d like us to be, but they used the new code, not the old. Eventually, my people would be a force to be reckoned with. A beautiful force of justice tempered by wisdom and love tempered by boundaries. We could do this.

Shen came to stand at my back. “Well done,” he said, his voice filled with pride.

My heart smiled at those simple words.

CHAPTER 30

The Weight of a Crown

ALIA

Draped from my shoulders was a pure red dress with Ambrose flowers embroidered on the sheer sleeves. It fell down in tiered waves, ending in a bell shape before falling to the ground. It took Mom and three maids to stuff me into this thing. The corset alone was enough of a torture device to make a rock sing.

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