“I have not made this decision lightly. I do this to protect my people and the peoples of the fleet. This circle may be the only thing standing between us and the Sentient onslaught.”
Bartanz’s smug look falters.
“My mother didnotdie in an accident.”
This sends a ripple through the crowd. Good.
“Her ship was attacked by the Sentients, and she died of her injuries despite my and my circle’s efforts to save her. The Sentients have begun this war, and they have struck hard at the heart of us all by taking our greatest leader. I say this not to frighten you, but to prepare you.”
“Bartanz is choking on his own spit.” Lana squeezes my fingers. “It’s wonderful.”
“Because you deserve the truth from me. I am a son of Latrides, and I willneverallow my people to suffer. To that end, I have chosen who will take my mother’s seat on the council in my stead. A warrior my mother trusted, and one I’ve grown to respect. This is what we need on the council. Someone with experience, with strength, and someone who has seen the threat firsthand.”
Bartanz steps toward me as if he intends to interrupt.
“I appoint Master Karadian Harlan to take my council seat. As crown prince of Latrides, I bestow upon him the title of Commander Harlan and give him all the rights and privileges of Latrides. From this day forward, he is one of us. He will serve honorably and do what is best for the fleet during the Sentient crisis. He is an Alpha of honor, and I give him my full support.”
The crowd is stunned, but not as stunned as Master Harlan. He looks at me, his slitted eyes wider than I’ve ever seen them. If he had eyebrows, they’d be at the top of his forehead. Bartanz, on the other hand, looks as if he might implode, his hands fisted, jaw tight, and fury evident.
“I wish I could take a picture of this,” Lana whispers.
Jeren chuckles in his throat.
“Come, Commander Harlan.” I motion for him to stand with my circle.
He swallows hard and strides over, his gait stiff as he looks out at the crowd.
I turn back to the people of Latrides. “There is one part of his resume that I forgot to mention. He’s an expert at enforcing punishments on wayward cadets. I learned everything I know about mucking carilla stalls from him.”
A wave of laughter spreads through the crowd.
I offer my forearm. “Do you accept, Commander Harlan?”
He glances at Bartanz, who is vehemently shaking his head.
“Never thought I’d see a day like this.” Harlan turns back to me and takes my arm, gripping me as a cheer rises from the streets and the bond is sealed.
36
Lana
Iwant to draw all of it. The buildings, the people, the fabrics, the mist. Latrides is a feast for my eyes, and I can’t wait to try and sketch it all out. I know I can’t do it justice, but that won’t stop me from trying.
“Have some more.” Jeren scoops a sweet slice of fruit onto my plate along with a wedge of cheese.
“I can’t.” I rub my stomach. “This food baby can’t handle it.”
A gasp catches my attention, and I turn toward a Calarian noble who stares at me patting my belly.
“Food baby!” I point at my plate. “Just afoodbaby. Not a real baby.”
Ceredes grunts a laugh as the noble turns to whisper to the person next to her.
“Great, now they’re all going to be saying I’m baking up an alien baby.”
“Aliens.” Jeren cuts off a piece of the fruit and pops it into his mouth. “I’m beginning to warm up to that silly word.”
“I’m beginning to warm up to life on Latrides.” I lean back in my chair and survey the golden banquet room, each table filled with succulent foods, fancy plates and silverware, and mounds of flowers. It’s like a painting from the Renaissance, everything too bright, too beautiful. I love it.
