I let her take it. Desi reads, while I pace before her.
“What the hell, Des? I have no idea what to think right now. Dad being nice wasn’t the final plot twist I was expecting. And screw him for approving my decision to quit the force instead of giving me reasons to stay. Who does he think he is, really?”
Desi sniffles. “Aw. That was… sweet.”
“He’s deranged—that’s the only explanation.”
Desi sets the letter on the small antique table beside her. “What are you going to do about it? Take back your old job?”
I shake my head. Soter is the commander, but maybe I’ll go back to working as a liaison or something. Anything to avoid giving my dad the satisfaction. I don’t have to choose between being Leigh’s husband and being a Blade. If anything, loving her makes me a better Blade—she gives me something worth fighting for.
The door to my room creaks open, and lo and behold, Soter pokes his head into the suite. “Sorry to interrupt, but, Wilder, do you have a minute?”
I nod, eager for a distraction. Soter steps in, and I frown. My former Domna is in civilian clothes: faded jeans, a studded belt, a loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt, and a backpack slung over his shoulder. Why isn’t he dressed for the ceremony? “What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry to do this now, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Though I thought this was what I wanted, I’ve realized that what I truly want is something I can never have. So, consider this myofficial resignation as Borealis Blade Commander.” He hands me the silver pentacle commander’s pin.
I stare at the pin. “You’re quitting?”
“I’m stepping down. You enjoy giving orders; maybe you should just take up the mantle again.” He adjusts his bag.
I observe him closely. He seems the same, yet different. Being a commander is everything he ever wanted. Why has he changed his mind, and why am I more excited than angry? I spent so much time training him, and he holds the title for a weekend, then quits?
But this is the universe telling me I can have it all.
“You’d work under me again?”
He shrugs. “I have bigger issues, trust me.”
I laugh, then notice he’s eyeing the door. “Going somewhere?”
“Borealis.”
“You don’t want to stay for the party?”
He grimaces. “Thanks, but we all know everyone will have more fun without me.”
I open my mouth to argue, but he gives me a casual salute. “Congratulations, Your Highness. See you back in Borealis. If you decide to give that pin to someone else instead of wearing it yourself, make sure they know what they’re doing. I don’t have time for idiots.”
With that, he leaves.
“Okay, what the hell?” Desi appears beside me. “Tell me that wasn’t divine intervention.”
“Can you help me put this on?”
I hold out the pin.
My sister grins. “I had a feeling you were going to ask. But shouldn’t you talk to Leigh?”
“Leigh will be fine with it. Trust me.”
Another knock. This time it’s my mom. Her smile is radiant against her fancy silver dress. “It’s time.”
I standat the front of the abbey with its elaborate vaulted ceiling and ornate flying buttresses, facing a nave of nearly two thousand faces. In the first row, I spot my friends and family. My mom dabs her eyes with a well-worn tissue. The bridesmaids have just finished their entrance. Gianna waits at the base of the dais to take Leigh’s bouquet, her eyes shining.
I stare at the closed double doors at the back of the room, a lump rising in my throat.
Any second now, Leigh will appear.
