“At what cost?” he fires back.
I don’t have an answer for that.
Sylvian exhales and looks at me. “You should wear it.”
I bark out a short laugh. “Absolutely not.”
“You’re strong,” he says. “You act when it matters. People follow strength.”
“They fear it,” I correct. “That’s not the same thing.”
“Sometimes it is.”
“Not for something like this,” I say. “I’d burn any court that challenged me. That’s not unity. That’s control.”
Ashton nods slowly. “He’s got a point.”
“Of course I do.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
Cassius speaks next, his tone measured. “Ashton.”
Ashton blinks. “Oh, this should be good.”
“You understand people,” Cassius continues. “You defuse tension. You can make enemies listen to each other.”
Ashton’s grin fades. “I can make them laugh. That’s different.”
“It’s a start.”
“It’s not enough,” Ashton says, more quietly now. “Not for this. Besides, you’re the smartest among us. You should lead.”
“I’m smart enough to know I’m not the logical choice,” he says, then his gaze shifts.
Sylvian follows it. And for a moment, everything slows. Because I see it. The thought forming. The perfect answer we didn’t even consider.
Alette.
We all turn to stare at her. There’s confusion on her face for too long, and then we see it hit her. She realizes what we’re thinking.
Immediately, she takes a step back, panic in her eyes. “No.”
No one has said anything yet, but she knows anyway.
“No,” she repeats, shaking her head. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Alette—” Cassius begins.
“I’m serious,” she cuts in. “I can’t. I won’t. I’m not wearing that.”
“Why not?” Ashton asks, gently.
“Because I’m not one of you,” she says, her voice breaking. “I’m human.”
Something in me snaps.
“Stop saying that like it means you’re less.”
