I leaned down to kiss Quentin on the cheek, leaving her with my best friend as I took my position at the centre of the chambers once again.
Quentin was safe. Larkin was safe. There were conversations that needed to be had, but until then, we needed to set Elysia back on its feet. If we continued on without leadership, then more chaos would blossom in the heavens and Earth. No one needed that.
There were so many familiar faces that I’d grown up with over the years. Many others who were here long before I was born. The landscape of Elysia had changed over centuries, and now we were on the cusp of another era.
“If I could have your attention,” I called. The noise of the room dissipated until there was silence and the weight of eyes landed on me. “Thank you for your time this morning. Your cooperation is deeply appreciated. We have one more matter to discuss, and that is the leadership of Elysia. Hunter left no heir and so that means the position falls to me. As has always been the way, we will discuss and vote on the matter.”
“I don’t feel comfortable with you leading us,” someone called from the crowd.
I had expected there would be resistance to my rule, but it would only be amplified now that Hunter’s true character had been shown to everyone.
“I can assure you I’m nothing like my brother.”
“Look how easily we believed in him. In his lies.”
The crowd began to mutter amongst themselves, and I took in a deep breath.
“And who exactly would you suggest as an alternative?” I asked with some bite. It was ridiculous to me that they would consider delaying putting together a council so we could push forward. There were still things that needed to be looked into. Mabel and Tobias would have to answer questions for the partthey played in all of this. Although, there would likely be a less severe punishment in light of everything we’d learned today. “My family has helped to shape the heavens for centuries.”
Dad had been at the helm for an age before Hunter stepped forward and challenged him. We should have known then that he was going to lead us towards destruction.
“I don’t trust any of you,” Valen said from the front of the throng. “There’s always been a differentiation between who we are and who the elites are.”
“Understandable.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see it was Larkin who had spoken. She made her way down from the dais and towards me.
“There needs to be change,” she told them. “The question is how we bring that about and who we choose to lead us.”
The murmurs of agreement were growing louder. I could sense where this was going. If Larkin wanted that seat, as much as it pained me, I would give it to her. Elysia would have a fresh perspective, and after everything that had happened, she deserved some sort of recompense. It wasn’t enough, but it would be a start.
“Perhaps it is time for us to change the hands of leadership from your family, Grayson.”
“Larkin,” I said, trying to get her attention so we could discuss privately what it was she wanted out of this.
She ignored me, taking a step towards the crowd. “It may be bold of me to suggest anyone after everything I’ve shared with you today. But I believe Quentin would be a suitable candidate for the role.”
I turned my full body towards her, blindsided by her comment. “Are you out of your mind?” I hissed. “Quentin? She’s?—”
“You’ve already all proven that you consider her one of your own,” Larkin pushed on quickly, projecting her voice above mine.
“What?” Aria shrieked. “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t bow to her.”
“You already have been,” Ignacio pointed out.
Larkin’s voice grew louder. “She doesn’t know the previous politics. She has no bias.”
“She’s planning to marry Grayson,” Archer pointed out smoothly. “I would consider that a bias.”
“They’re soulbound. She hardly has a choice in the matter.”
“Oh, thank you for reducing my impeding nuptials down to that,” I muttered.
“She’s not eligible!” Aria called out, and I turned to face the dais.
“She needs to be divine,” Larkin shot back. “Which she is.”
“I’m not sure this is a good plan,” Quentin said, her gaze shifting between the faces of the Gods. It was the first words she’d uttered since Larkin had nominated her.
