His brows lifted the barest bit. “If I had to be the King Elemental, would it take time from my duties as the One?”
That was code talk, but it was easy enough to decipher. “How much time are we talking?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “You chose this life. The protection you wear gave you access to your current position. And your birthright made you the Chosen.” One brow lifted. “It’s safe to assume, you are going to be a very busy individual doing both.”
I rubbed my forehead at that, already feeling the drain. “Wonderful.” I flicked my finger between the two of us, dreading this question even worse. “Will I be doing what you do?”
Careful, quiet words as he watched me intently. “We’ll be working side-by-side.”
I felt the blood drain from my face, feeling instantly faint.
“That’s not a good thing, I take it?” King Collins asked, peering down at me, then to Leric.
Leric sighed heavily, not taking his gaze from mine. “It’s the reason she hates using her powers in the first place.”
Yep…I was going to throw up. “Trashcan…need a trashcan.” It must have really showed, because a few of them dove for the small thing, King Zeller getting to it fastest, handing it me…just so I could stare down into its depths and tremble fiercely, trying to keep it down.
Instantly, I felt a shove of cooling tranquility transfuse my body, and I sucked in a harsh breath as my body relaxed instantly, my gaze flying to Leric’s.
He shrugged a shoulder where he sat lazy on the floor, stating casually—I could tell trying not to scare me, “The bond’s not all bad. It has its perks.”
I licked my lips, and nodded once, but stated, “Don’t do that too often. Emotions are there for a reason.” Like telling you when you’re in over your head. I set the trashcan aside. “I need to get used to this someway.”
His head cocked slightly, still sending his own subtle peace down the bond. “You want me to take it away?”
Um…no. “I’d rather puke in private.”
“Alright.” He stretched his legs out in front of him, and didn’t relent with his peace. “What other questions do you have that I’m able to answer in front of the others?”
“Your speed,” I stated factually. “Do I have that now that I’m the Chosen?”
His lips curved. “You’ve always been the Chosen. And, yes. You will. In time.”
I stared pointedly.
“You’re still young.”
Ah. Okay, so…”Will I get one of those,” I waved a pointed finger around my head, “in time, also?”
“A halo?”
“Leric.”
He chuckled, and nodded. “Yes. In time. Just a bit more feminine.”
I blinked, and then automatically raised a hand from the blanket toward my King, not even glancing in his direction.
He instantly high fived me.
That fucking rocked, no matter what else was going on. That crown was intimidation without anyone even knowing what the hell it actually meant. The big, bad all in a crown.
Leric chuckled, shaking his head. “And with it…”
A roll of my eyes. “…comes a lifetime of great duty.” I waved my hand before tucking it back under the blanket because, apparently, being the Chosen was correlated to the One, which was a forever duty, until death. “Whatever. I still get a…halo.”
“Yes, you do.” White arched brow lifted a bit. “And a duty that would not have been gifted to you if you couldn’t handle it.”
I swallowed hard, thanking the fact he was still gifting me with his peace. “When does that start? My duty for being the Chosen?”
