The last man who had sat in that chair was her father. She would sit in his place, but she would not take on the role he had played. She had to pull his legacy apart, brick by brick.
A voice spoke, jolting her from her reverie. “Big crowd, Miss Sutherland. Not even your father had this kind of turnout.”
She turned to see Lord Montrose standing by the front pew, his wife behind him. Richard had left the island three weeks ago, just before her father’s funeral, but the injustice of his so-calledpunishmentstill brought a bitter taste to Poppy’s mouth.
“The people believe in me.” She tilted her chin up defiantly. “They’re why I’m here.”
“I hope you live up to their expectations,” he said. “People tend to love an ideal far more than the person behind it. If I were you, I’d take care.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Consider it advice,” he said, “from someone who has been playing the game much longer than you. You are where you are today because of the alliances you forged. But will these people stick by you, especially when you’re forced to make unpopular decisions? When you bargain with mortals, the terms can change at any time. Today, you have the faith of the people. But tomorrow? You may have nothing at all.”
Leaving that bizarre warning hanging in the air, he turned and made his way to his seat. She stared at his retreating back, his words stuck in her chest like the blade of a dagger.
The ceremony went according to schedule. Poppy sat on the throne, holding a scepter in one hand and the works of the Founder in the other, repeating the oaths that the founderson read to her. When it was over, he took her hand, helping her out of the throne.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you, Vicereine Poppy Demetria Sutherland the First!”
Polite applause filled the abbey, but it was overshadowed by a loud cheer from outside. It swept through the open windows like a wave crashing on the sand. Poppy soared with elation, sailing on its high. But as Lord Montrose caught her eye, her heart sank. If she didn’t find someone to teach her how to swim, she would certainly drown in this tide.
• • •
After the inauguration, the guests were permitted to line up and wish the new vicereine well. Lord Montrose had left immediately, to Poppy’s immense relief. Catherine and Theodore were some of the first in line. She came down off the dais to embrace both of them.
“How does it feel to be officially the vicereine?” Theodore asked.
“I can’t believe this is real,” Poppy said. “The last half year has gone by in such a blur.”
Catherine reached forward to squeeze her hand. “I’m here anytime you want a shoulder to lean on.”
“Thank you,” she said. “That means a lot to me.”
Then the pair were off, making way for the next group in line. In that manner, she spent the next couple of hours making small talk with every person who approached her, until the line had mostly dwindled. Names and faces blurred, but some were welcome, friendly faces, such as that of Rohini Devar, who had squeezed her hand and said that the island was blessed indeed. Finally, a group of Virians reached Poppy. The founderson consulted his list, reading out the name of their envoy to her.
“The Delegation for Virian Interests.”
She brightened, sitting up straighter as her eyes fell on Hasan. “Let them come up,” she said, the words worn from an afternoon of repetition. He introduced her to each member formally. The group clustered around her for a quick picture, Hasan and Arun flanking her. When the photographer had finished, Hasan turned back to Poppy.
“Congratulations,” he said. “You pulled it off.”
“Wepulled it off. I couldn’t have done it without you,” Poppy said. “All of you,” she added, her gaze touching the faces of the other members.
“Yes, well, we believe in you,” Maya offered.
She flinched involuntarily. Though Maya didn’t realize it, her words reminded Poppy of the conversation she’d had with Lord Montrose before the inauguration had started. She smoothed out her expression swiftly. “Is that so?” she asked, keeping her voice level. Her eyes flickering back and forth between the delegation members, she wondered how she could get them to leave so she could speak to Hasan alone.
“It was a pleasure meeting you,” Maya continued, oblivious to the tension she had just created. “I hope we meet soon. We have so much to talk about.”
“Indeed.” Poppy dipped her head, her shoulders still tense. “I look forward to it.”
Hasan and the rest of the delegation turned to leave. Poppy hesitated, then called his name.
“Mr. Devar. A moment, if you would.”
Hasan turned around. The others in the delegation paused, then carried on without him. She tilted her head at her guards, indicating to them that she wanted a moment’s privacy. They eyed Hasan warily but heeded her, taking several steps back. She rose, coming down the steps until she stood on one that was eye level with him.
“You’ve seen me at some low points in my life,” she said wryly, “so I’m not going to mince words.”
