Harthon wasn’t one to dole out empty compliments. He meant it.
“But there wasn’t one less man. I need to be able to beat those odds.”
Approval flashed in his eyes. “Cal will get you there.”
The mentioned man sighed. “Will do. Though you might hate me by the end of it.”
“I already kind of hate you, so you have nothing to worry about,” I replied sweetly.
He stuck a finger in the air. “First rule of training is to respect your instructor.”
“And what’s the punishment for breaking the rule?”
“Running. Lots of running.”
“I don’t know if you were listening to your Princeps on that platform, but he said to treat yourmagvislike a gift. That means no punishment.”
Ana choked on a laugh. Meanwhile, North’s typical scowl deepened.
Callen swung to Harthon, who simply shrugged. “I did say this.”
Callen’s mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. “You’re not actually amagvis, though,” he protested.
“We want everyone to believe that I am, which means everyone should treat me as such.”
“It’s already going to your head.Magvisor not, you’re running.” He pivoted back to Harthon. “She’s running.”
“Would you like me to declare that as an official edict?” Harthon replied.
He was entertained, and I suddenly realized that I was too. Skies, I wassmiling. A genuine, unconscious smile born of this conversation.I was…I was havingfun.
How could I be having fun?
The realization was a bucket of cold water to my amusement.
“Clearly, I’m on my own. You’re lucky I don’t step down from this role and give it to North instead,” Callen said, but I no longer had the desire to offer a clever retort.
Quiet fell. Harthon filled it a moment later. “Ana, we should head to the meeting room. The cabinet will be there any moment. Etarla, you’re joining us.”
Whoa. What? “A meeting? With your cabinet?”
“Yes.”
Cabinets consisted of each Territory’s highest Lords. While I’d never even been close to the vicinity of a cabinet meeting, I imagined it was rather exclusive. I couldn’t fathom why Harthon would want me there. I’d never even spoken to a Lord before. It was not a place where I belonged. “But why?”
“If you’re themagvis, you’re more powerful and important than any of us. It only makes sense that you attend the meeting.”
“But I don’t know what to say or do. Plus, you know I’m not actually themagvis.”
Callen threw his hands up. “Oh, sonowyou’re fine with not being treated as themagvis.”
We both ignored him.
“Say something or say nothing. It’s just important that you’re there,” Harthon responded, implacable.
“Important to you or your Lords?” I countered.
“Important to everything that comes ahead.”
