I’ve been sitting in our makeshift headquarters for hours, and my legs are starting to cramp. The room is slightly bigger than Need’s sitting room, which I suppose is a silver lining.
Thankfully, there’s coffee. Though at this point, not even sweet, life-saving caffeine will be enough tosalvage my mood.
I’m pretty sure Morgana is feeling the same, since she’s sitting across from me, and her face has subtitles. Her expression is locked in pure, unadulterated exasperation.
Some things have been moving steadily. Last night, both the staff (because I refuse to call them servants) and the freed prisoners elected representatives to speak for them.
Carys, the staff representative, is the sweet girl I spoke with yesterday. The freed prisoners elected Varian, the dragon shifter.
I’m not sure if that’s because he and I are already on speaking terms, or because he’s, you know… a freaking dragon.
The moment Sin and I arrived at headquarters, Damien explained the importance of establishing a chain of command. I listened with rapt attention while sipping my first coffee and eating a chocolate croissant.
Everything he said made a lot of sense, and I gave him a grateful thumbs-up for taking the time to break it down for me.
Of course, I assumed everyone would be answering to either Morgana or Ragna, because they’re both experienced leaders who know what they’re doing.
Nope.
Not even close.
Apparently, no one is eager to listen to a thing if it comes from the mouth of a former or current Council member.
Last night, Ragna tried to organize housing for the freed prisoners with Varian. She needs to get an idea of the available space in the barracks for when her ownarmy joins us. The staff may have been able to help as well, but both Carys and Varian outright refused to do a thing until I signed off on the order.
They have steadfastly argued that they listen to me and me alone.
A tension headache builds behind my temples as I scan the frustrated faces at the table.
As always, Sin is beside me, and our chairs are practically glued together. Ragna sits at my right, wordlessly communicating with Morgana.
When did those two become besties?
Their interactions aren’t nearly as odd as the ones happening on the far ends of the table. On one side, Damien and Magnus whisper and throw covert glances at Varian.
They frown as they do it.
Varian sits with Carys on the opposite end, and he looks smug every time they glance his way.
Magnus shakes his head at Damien, and his slitted eyes widen.
I rub my temples, feeling grateful that at least no one has been openly hostile.
For now.
The tension hangs thickly in the air, and everyone looks on edge. Except, of course, for Arianna. She’s lounging next to Morgana, looking like she’s having the time of her life.
I suppose the chaos goblin in her is enjoying this budding animosity.
Still, I’m relieved that she isn’t leaking any darkness. I’m pretty sure it only happens when she’s not doing so good. A part of me was worried that shemight have a hard time coming back here after everything she went through.
She catches me staring and makes a face before mouthing, “Stop being so obsessed with me.”
Before I can come up with something clever to say, Damien finally turns away from Magnus and gets back to business, “We’re making great headway on searching the castle. We should be finished later today.”
My heart skips a beat. “Did you make it to the secret passage I told you about? Remember, Nymara isn’t allied with Need, she’s–” I start, but he’s already shaking his head.
Magnus continues, “We have looked. And while we found the prisoner you noted, there is no sign of the girl. The prisoner you mentioned appears to be under some kind of powerful sedation. We have transported him to the infirmary. Rosie is working to counteract the effects.”
