“That’s…not done,” Clarice whispers.
“I know,” I agree. “But earlier tonight, Walter told me how, and I need to try.”
“And you trust the information he provided you?” Alejandra looks uneasy.
“Mimic the mating?”
She nods. “It’s risky.”
“It’s worth it.”
“We’ll be here when you succeed,” John assures me, but I hold my hand up and shake my head.
“Clarice was right earlier. I don’t want to return.” I scrub my hands down my face. “I’m not cut out for politics, and I have no interest in it, but I get the feeling one of you does.”
Alejandra stares at her lap.
“I’m going to resign and appoint my brother Henry my replacement. I understand he can’t hold the lead, but I nominate Alejandra Marquez to assume responsibility for the whole of Carver County. Any objections?”
“No.”
“Nay.”
I hand the scroll to Alejandra and gesture to the seat at the head of the table. “The spoils of Greenleaf are yours.”
She takes the paper and clutches it in her fist. “Spoiled indeed.”
I smirk and huff out an agreeable sound.
“I’ll advise Henry of the change in status once I’m back in Wildemount. Please ensure he’s treated with the respect he deserves. He saved my life.”
“Of course.”
Alejandra takes her seat at the head of the table, and I let myself out without another word.
I didn’t mean for it to end like this
The drive home flies by, and for as light as I am about finding an agreeable solution about the political side of things, I’m nervous for information Walter provided me. I’m hard for Declan, like I always am, but I don’t see an easy way for us to be together without the bond.
When I get home, Declan is sitting up in bed reading still, just as I left him. He closes the book and sets it on the nightstand and gestures for me to come join him. I strip down to my underwear and lay my body out on top of his, rolling us onto our sides so we’re facing each other.
“How did it go?” he asks, dropping a chaste kiss against the corner of my mouth.
“I resigned.”
“You what?” Declan’s eyes go wide.
“It’s a long and boring story, but Walter and two others were escorted away. The remaining members of the council were more agreeable to having someone who wasn’t full blood represent Wildemount, and there was also no more need for Clarke leadership.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Walter knew what Franklin was doing. He allowed it. Approved it. He’s been removed from power, as have the heads of two other cities who aided him.”
“So he’s gone?” Declan’s mouth tips down at the corners.
“That’s a good thing,” I remind him. “We can be together now. Travel. Everything we talked about.”
“But the bond,” Declan whispers.
