Raevina was the future High Lady of Fiadh. Everyone already planned to unseat their current High Lord given his absence in the final battle. With everything Raevina had told them about the male, his removal would be well deserved.
Saoirse had always served beneath her older brother. Perhaps her role was to remain there. Alec’s council was present, along with Liam and his trusted second. Her mother was here, too, smiling and proud of the next generation that had risen up to defend their world.
Rion was the first to speak. “If it’s all right with Alec, I would like to appoint Liam as the head commander of our military operations.” All eyes turned to the male. He sat a napkin aside. Adjusted in his seat.
“Not just of Brónach,” Liam clarified, his voice a bit disbelieving.
Rion gave him a sheepish smile, the expression one of a boy who’d craved the affections of a friend. “Not just of Brónach,” he confirmed.
No one spoke for a long moment. The argument could have been made that there were plenty of other Fae with more experience, but if Liam was a commander, then he’d have direct access not only to Rion, but to Arianna as well. Which meant they couldn’t risk an unknown person filling the role.
Alec nodded. “I’m sure I can find another to fill the position.” He turned to Liam. “So long as he accepts, I won’t oppose.”
All eyes turned back to Liam. The male licked his lips, then looked disbelievingly between Arianna and Rion. “You’d trust me with such a position?”
“I trust your loyalty to Brónach and to the people of this continent,” Rion said. “I won’t ask you to pledge yourself to me. Your pledge to the people is good enough.”
Liam’s eyes dropped to the table. His brows furrowed. Anyone else would have leapt at the opportunity, but Liam had always been one to take his time and weigh the options.
Liam’s jaw feathered, then the male rose to his feet. He didn’t limp, but his movements were slower than normal as he made his way around the table. Saoirse wondered if he felt just as tired as she did, their bodies wrung out, replenished, then wrung out again. Even after two days, Saoirse’s magic was still sluggish to respond.
Liam paused before Arianna and Rion, who had both turned in their chairs.
Then Liam dropped to one knee, his head bowed. “I pledge my loyalty to the continent, to the people who call this land home, and to the betterment of a peaceful society.” He paused and looked up, meeting Arianna’s gaze. “And I pledge myself to the Queen of Alastríona. I vow with my life to serve and protect, and carry out any order she asks of me.” Liam looked to Rion next. No one missed the way her little brother’s heart leapt.
“And I pledge myself to the King of Alastríona. I vow to always protect his mate and should I ever raise my blade against either of them, may the gods take my soul and cast it straight into the deepest pits of hell.”
Rion stood slowly, Arianna at his side. Saoirse’s little brother smiled gently down at his friend. Saoirse remembered a time when the two had chased one another down the palace halls, playing a make-believe game where Liam was a guard and Rion a High Lord.
But her little brother had become so much more.
Rion reached out a hand. Confused, Liam took it, allowing her little brother to tug his friend to his feet. The two remained close, staring at one another, then Rion pulled Liam into a tight embrace. The male froze at first, then clasped Rion on the shoulders.
They would rebuild. Everything started right here with a strong foundation. And she’d seen no stronger assembly.
“Thank you,” Arianna mouthed when Liam pulled away. Liam bowed again, then ambled back to his chair. He winced upon sitting.
Arianna and Rion reclaimed their seats, then Arianna continued, “There was a human in Levea that I trusted with my life. Her name is Myrna. She and a handful of humans willfunction as part of a council to represent the humans’ needs as they arise.”
“Myrna?” Avalon questioned. “I should think the role might be given to someone—younger.” He grimaced before clarifying. “She should be allowed to rest.”
“It’s only temporary. Sive is also helping them.”
“Why aren’t these people present?” Raevina asked.
“They’ll be informed of their roles later,” Rion assured. “Both have been on their feet for two days and one has a youngling to attend to.”
Raevina’s jaw worked. “Given that the title of commander has been placed upon someone else, what is my role to become?” Was that jealousy in her voice?
Arianna exchanged a glance with Rion. “I thought that was obvious,” their Queen said. “You’re the High Lady of Fiadh.”
Raevina opened her mouth. Closed it. She looked over at Avalon, then Alec, and finally back to Arianna. The female took a breath, attempting to steady herself. “Not while my father stands.”
“It will be addressed,” Rion stated. A threat. Though Vairik had ultimately been the one pulling the strings, it was still Fiadh’s High Lord who had commanded the death of Arianna’s mother. Fiadh’s High Lord who had sent Raevina to kill Arianna. And Fiadh’s High Lord who had refused to give them aid when the entire world had been closing in around them. Not to mention the unit of Shadow Weavers that had joined the fray.
But that was a battle for another time.
“Once everything settles, we’ll have the official documents drawn up.” Arianna appeared so confident. “For now, we focus on strengthening our defenses, along with providing housing for everyone who’s been displaced.”
