“No. It isn’t,” Morgana says, sighing. “Need could mobilize her armies at any moment. We don’t have time for people to drag their feet.”
“The conclave will be held this evening. Hopefully, the vote will be unanimous, and we won’t have to deal with deserters,” Ragna adds.
“Great! Should we be there? Or is this a realm leader thing?” I ask, clarifying.
I don’t want to overstep now that the adults are taking charge. I’m very much okay with staying at the kids’ table.
Morgana looks like she might start banging her head against a wall at any moment. Ragna stares at me like she thinks I’m an imbecile.
I glance between them, wondering what their problem is. It was a valid question. When my gaze drifts over to Sin, I find him already looking at me.
“Yeah, kitten, you should be there. You command a sizable army, and you led the siege of the Council castle.” His eyes dance with amusement, and his lip is quirked on one side, like he wants to laugh.
“Try to keep your hands off each other for at least a few hours at the conclave,” Ragna adds, giving us a pointed look.
I flush, mortified, whereas Sin resumes glaring at her.
“We met a friend of yours last night,” he says mildly, ignoring her comment.
Ragna raises an unimpressed brow. “I’m not surprised. I have many friends in my realm.”
Reaching into his pocket, Sin pulls out her bone ring and tosses it to her. “She must be a very good friend, since she had quite a few of these.”
The way he says the words radiates hostility. Morgana looks as troubled as I am by their budding animosity. Her obsidian eyes meet mine, and she slightly tilts her chin toward Sin.
Understanding the silent message, I give a small nod back.
We need to defuse this immediately.
“Vivian, Sin mentioned you used more of your power last night without issues,” Morgana starts.
“Uhm, yeah,” I agree, only for Morgana to raise a brow, as if to say, ‘help me out here.’ Clearing my throat, I continue, “But Hades warned me against using my power, since my soul is unstable.”
Morgana hums like she’s thinking over my answer, but it seems forced. “It may grow more unstable as you continue to decay, but you seem to be in your right mind,at least for now. Your power could make a huge difference during the war. Sin and Leon will be busy nullifying each other’s powers…” she trails off.
I frown, not sure where she’s going with this, and wonder if we can get a redo on the topic change.
But it’s Sin who continues her thought, turning to eye me curiously. “But if she can take out a Destroyer’s power, it would be like having two Destroyers on our side.”
All eyes land on me, and I gape back at them, a little dumbstruck. “You think I’m as strong as the most powerful creatures in the universe?” I clarify, trying not to scoff.
“No, I think you’re stronger than they are,” Ragna answers. “I’ve sensed it since you arrived here, and I assume your attack on the Council wards was only a fraction of what you can do.”
“You’re all insane,” I deadpan.
Sin grins. “There’s only one way to find out, kitten.”
I narrow my eyes at him.
“The training fields, please. You’ll be less likely to destroy another wing of the castle,” Morgana interjects, pausing to give me a hard look. “I just saw what you did to the library, Vivian, and I am never letting you near my office, ever again.”
The training yard is bustling with soldiers, only now, it’s filled with familiar faces.
They’re the freed prisoners.
My army.
Before I can spiral on that thought, a pair of warm amber eyes find mine as Varian jogs over. I saw him yesterday morning, but he already looks healthier. His body is filling out with muscle, and his skin has more color. Magical healing is a remarkable thing.
