Page 95 of The Eternal Mirror
The room has fallen silent, and I peer around. Everyone is looking at me. Zayne is leaning against one of the tent poles close to the entrance, arms folded. I recognize some of the other people, but there are quite a few who I’ve seen around the camp but have no idea who they are. The camp is big. I tried to make a count yesterday—just taking my mind off other stuff—and I reached a thousand before I got bored.
Thorben gets to his feet. I can see he’s readying himself to make a speech, and I suspect I know what’s coming. I’ve been here before, but things are going to be different this time. I need to make my position clear right from the start.
I hold up both hands. “Before you say anything, there is something you need to know. I am not a goddess. Not even close.”
“I can vouch for that,” Zayne puts in.
“Thanks,” I say. “I’m also not your hero, your queen, or your moral compass. And I am categorically not going to make any decisions that do not involve me or the people I love.” I stare at Thorben. “And that doesn’t include you. Find someone else.”
Silence drops like a dead body.
Then Thorben clears his throat. “Actually, I was going to suggest that you be a titular leader and—”
“I’m not a titular anything.”
Zayne sniggers. I glare.
Thorben looks a little rattled but continues on bravely. “A figurehead who will give the people hope.”
Can I live with that? I’d rather not, but it’s not totally undoable. “And who will be making these decisions in my titular name?” I ask.
“There is already a council in place. Most of the—”
“We want Prince Khaosti,” Ryke interrupts.
Of course they do. I mean, don’t we all?
There’s a ripple of dissent from the rebel side. One guy—middle-aged, with sharp eyes and no patience—shakes his head. “We didn’t throw off one tyrant to follow another. We vote. We form a council. That’s the way this works.”
“Yeah?” Ryke growls. “Except it didn’t work, did it? We were beating the shit out of you guys. As far as I can tell, you spend too much time arguing about what to do, to actually get anything done.”
Oh, good. It’s that kind of meeting. The let’s-all-insult-each-other kind.
Sheela glances at me, eyes sharp, as if to saydo something. But what am I to do? Except I have this horrible feeling that I’m maybe the only one who can do something—the only one they will all listen to. Because, yeah, I remember now. I’m fucking special.
“The prince commands loyalty,” Ryke presses. “From the wolves. From the shifters. If you want their support, you need him.”
“Well, what if we don’t want support from mind-controlled berserkers?” someone snaps.
And just like that, we’re off again.
Thorben bangs his fist on the table. I can see why he looks so tired. This must be exhausting. Silence falls—eventually. He turns to look at Khaosti, who hasn’t said a word and is lounging relaxed in his chair, watching me through half-closed lids.
“What’s your take on this?” Thorben asks. “Do you want to lead?”
Good question. I raise my eyebrows at Khaos, waiting for his answer.
He looks me in the eyes and says, “No.”
He’s just so...succinct.
“So, what do you want?” Thorben growls. Khaos and his lovely personality can have that effect on people. Fast. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for Amber,” he says, giving me a small smile. “And only for Amber.”
Behind him, Zayne makes a gagging motion, and I have to press my lips together to stop myself from giggling inanely. I think I must be a little hysterical because really, there’s nothing funny going on here. I suspect Khronus will find us, sooner rather than later, and there’s more than enough fighting happening here withoutKhronus getting involved. In fact, if he takes his time, we’ll probably all have killed each other.
I can’t help thinking that Khaosshouldbe in charge. Partly because he doesn’t want to be. He has no inherent urge for power. But also, because he’s a born leader and he’s had a lot of practice at giving orders—sort of a blend of nature and nurture.
