I lowered myself to the floor, not trusting myself to bend over to pick it up without falling. It was small and rolled tightly with a single piece of red yarn holding it together. The string slipped off easily, and I unraveled the paper to find words written by Willis’s hand.
We are prepared to take the city back. A few days before your next return, we can take control from the Lysians here. None of them appear to have conjuring abilities, and with the return of the Sparrow Archers, they will be easy enough to handle. When you come home, the archers will line the walls as they had years ago. They will protect you, should you need it. I need to know that you will be prepared for this. I also need to know what you wish to be done with the Lysians here.
I took a deep breath. Somehow, the Spirit knew the note was in my hand. Without the warning, I would have left the temple without seeing it. And now I needed to destroy the evidence.
The hearth in the temple was nearly dead. Fire no longer burned, but the coals still had a dull glow, barely producing any significant heat. I made my way to that hearth and shoved the rolled-up piece of paper in. The coals were hot enough for the paper to catch fire. It was a flash, a sudden spark that turned the note to ash in moments, leaving behind no trace of the plan.
After the embers returned to their dull glow, I pushed myself up and made my way through the room.
The door to the temple creaked open with the thrust of my hand. Fresh air and light rushed in, and I suddenly found myself again disoriented. I took a step, but the ground was not where it was expected. Stumbling forward, I fell.
Willis moved, grabbing hold of me before I hit the ground.
“I got you,” he said, pulling me against him.
After a moment, I felt my feet beneath me and regained my bearings once more.
“I am prepared for this new beginning, Willis,” I said to him, and by the look in his eyes, I knew he received the message that Iwould be ready for the power to be returned to the Bavadrins. “I will rule, unlike my predecessor. No harm will come to Bavadrins or any others if it can be helped,” I said, answering the other question of what to do with the Lysians once we took back control. They were not to be harmed.
“It is my honor to serve you,” he replied, his lip curling up ever so slightly with an otherwise hidden excitement.
“I’m okay,” I said, gently pushing away from him.
Willis hesitated but reluctantly released me.
After taking two steps on my own, I found myself again uncoordinated. This time it was Erik who stopped my fall. Without a word, he scooped me up into his arms.
“How are you feeling?” Erik asked while Willis ground his teeth, hating that a Lysian was holding me.
“Better than I seem,” I answered, offering him a weak smile.
“You are a terrible liar,” he said without a shred of anger. Instead, in his sapphire eyes, I found a tinge of concern.
I smiled, turning to Willis. “Where is Edda?”
“She went to gather the people so that you could address them as soon as you woke.”
“Now?” Erik seemed surprised.
“Yes. Ariana is now the Leader Superior. It is customary to address the people after the ceremony and share parts of what the Spirit said.” Willis stepped forward, holding his arms out. “I will take her.”
Erik stepped back. “I don’t think she is in a condition to be giving a speech.”
“It is tradition,” I said, silencing the needless dispute, and turned to Willis. “It’s fine. Show Erik the way.”
As we began moving, I found my eyelids closing for brief moments, which stretched for a longer and longer time. My head leaned against the Lysian King’s shoulder, and he briefly tensed in response to the movement.
“Did you actually see the Spirit?” Erik asked in a hushed tone.
“Yes,” I mumbled, and he did not ask anymore.
My eyes slid open once more when we stopped moving. Willis was silently watching us.
“This is far enough. I must walk now. Please put me down,” I said to Erik.
Erik did what was asked without complaint. Once I felt the ground beneath my feet, I looped my arm through his and felt him stiffen to offer me better support.
“Walk out with me?” I asked.
