Yes. Because of who you are and what you are to this empire,he explained, sounding a bit tired of my questions already. He flapped his wings slightly as he extended them before pulling them back against his sides, shuffling on the railing for a moment before settling back in.
“I’m confused.” I breathed out the admission before I took a few steps closer to him, lowering my voice so the others didn’t hear me and think that someone was with me. “Are you saying that I can understand and talk to you because I’ve been named the Empress?”
It didn’t feel logical, but it was the best I could do with the limited information.
His head bobbed before his voice echoed through my mind once more.Precisely. I only communicate with the true ruler of the Tridian Empire.
Running a hand through my hair, my brow dipped as I took a deep breath and considered the bat. “True ruler?” I asked with a shake of my head. “I mean, I understand that Myrin picked me to rule in her place, but to call me the true ruler feels like a bit of a stretch. I’m not of a ruling bloodline or—”
You are the true ruler. I would know—It is I who chooses.
“You pick the next ruler?” I parroted back, disbelief coloring my tone. I hesitated, feeling more confused than ever. “I thought Myrin was the one who wanted me to rule.”
My voice dipped at the end, a sense of disappointment brewing in the pit of my stomach at his admission.
Myrin entrusting me to rule in her stead was something that meant a lot to me, and it made me uneasy to think that maybe she didn’t think I was capable of ruling in her stead…if she wasn’t the one who chose me to succeed her. Had Barnabus been the one to bring the idea up to her? A part of meneededMyrin to be the one to have chosen me—to believe that I could take on such a large-scale responsibility successfully.
Myrin believed in your ability to rule and was quick to share her opinion of you with me. She spoke to me of you long before I told her of my decision to place you as her successor. For the record, I made that decision when you stood up for your companions in front of her upon your arrival, asking for them to be protected above yourself.
Relief slammed into me with the knowledge that Myrinhadmeant every word she’d said to me—that she believed what was written in her formal decree.
I exhaled and nodded my understanding with a small nod. Pulling my gaze from the bat, I glanced around at the open sky, trying to convince myself that I wasn’t actually going insane. I mean…I was talking to a bat who told me I was chosen by him to rule.
Don’t insult my choice by doubting yourself now. It’s as clear as day from your body language and tone that you aren’t sure you are capable of this.The warning was gentle, though there was a mix of sternness and compassion in his words. It was almost grandfatherly, and I found that his reassurance relaxed me a bit.
Heaving out a heavy sigh at his words, I asked, “Can you blame me?”
You absolutely can do this.Barnabus’ voice was filled with conviction.Myrin was not perfect. She made mistakes and learned from them, just as you will. She believed, out of everyone that she had met in her time as Empress, that you were the only one capable of taking her place. You only knew Myrin for a short time, but her trust and belief in others was not given lightly. I could expound all the reasons that I believe you will be a good leader, but they are just empty words if you do not believe them yourself.
I nodded, vowing to take strength from what he was telling me, before looking out over the empire that was now mine to protect and lead. At some point, I would have to stop doubting myself. Otherwise, I would never do right by them. Constantly doubting myself and my decisions could lead us to peril. I would not be the reason the Tridian Empire fell.
Glancing over the innumerable homes, each sparkling with the light that spilled from their windows, I asked the most important question, with the hope that he could provide some much-needed wisdom.
“How do I ensure that both empires come out of this war with as few casualties as possible? I have never been in a battle, let alone led a military force into war. I refuse to lead them to their demise.”
Those around you have experience,he was quick to point out.Trust those who love you but don’t be too proud to ask for help from others. You have many who care about you, I’ve seen it myself. Even in the hardest and darkest times, you must remember that you are not alone in your endeavors. Do you think Myrin could have managed her rule without help? Your three lords are perfect examples of her placing her trust in those who were extensions of her rule.
He was right. Afterall, it was the reconnaissance mission she’d sent them on that brought them to me. It was a huge task for her to delegate to them, considering it could have started a war on the spot if they were outed. Well, ithadstarted a war, but for an entirely different reason… I shook the distracted thought away. The point was that she had trusted Elijah and his team to act in her stead.
I nodded slowly, processing the information carefully before a realization slammed into me. “I need a right hand.”
You do.
A grimace filled my face as I tried to think through my options. “It can’t be one of my men.” While I always welcomed their advice, and they would undoubtedly be with me constantly, I understood that there was an obvious conflict of interest. I couldn’t imagine how they would react, certainly not always appropriately, when dealing with difficult situations.
Barnabus’ chuckle filled my head, and I found the deep, velvety sound oddly comforting. There was something natural about our connection, one I’d felt before I could even hear him.
You’re right, it shouldn’t be one of them. Although, based on the possessiveness they display, your men may not love the idea of someone else being your right hand.
I smiled affectionately and let out a small laugh as I thought of their reaction to someone who wasn’t one of them being constantly at my side. “They may be protective,” I said, cocking my head as I considered my next words. The truth of them burned brightly within me. “They also trust me.”
Then why do you believe it shouldn’t be one of them?
“I can’t trust that they wouldn’t put what benefits and protects me before the empire. I love my men, but I need someone who will be blunt and honest with me.”
His fuzzy head cocked to the side.Spoken like a true leader.Do you have someone in mind?
I chewed my lip as I ruminated on the people I had gotten to know during my time in the Tridian Empire. In an instant, the perfect fit came to mind. “Yes.” Whether they would accept the position or not…Well, that was another story. “I’m going to go ask them now, actually. Would you like to come with me?”
