“What if I am?”
Stupid, stupid god.
“If you raise a hand against them, we will raise a hand against you.”
My power snaps across the Assembly, sending it back into silence. My cheeks heat from the many, many eyes that sear into me.
Amick laces his fingers through mine, squeezing. I’m not sure if it’s in a show of solidarity or to offer support to me alone for what I just did.
There’s no denying that my words landed heavier than a simple threat.
“The need for this change,” Ellian says, dragging their attention back to him with his calm but authoritative tone, “has just been demonstrated. This division will lead to outcomes that won’t benefit anyone. I know this is a shock to some of you, but you will adjust. This decree isn’t a suggestion.”
He focuses on the side of the gods who so loudly had shit to say.
“We will overcome this together, and the Godsdawn will prosper. The lockdown stays in effect until tomorrow morning when we all return to our roles. There will be changes found among those as well for some of you. All but the Attendants are dismissed. That includes Chosen Attendants. Please make your way to the others.”
My Valtrue, Yemi’s, Lambrit, Rose, Havar, and even Gladian’s band of fuckwits stay where we’re standing as the gods leave the Assembly.
Not all the murmurs that reach us are worrisome. There are some who are in support of this change. Others…they’ll need to be watched.
“Gladian, all of your Valtrue may go but you,” Ellian says as he makes his way off the platform.
I keep my face forward, eyes unfocused, but of course, instead of starshooting away, fucking Mellcom has to walk right in front of me. His steps slow, and my glare locks onto him.
I…hate him.
I feel absolutely nothing but that when I look at him.
“Keep it moving, Golden bitch. You don’t want to ruffle our Chaos today.” Riven chuckles, laying his arms over my shoulders as he presses his chest to my back.
Mellcom scoffs, giving me one last lingering glance before he goes.
“Well, that went about as expected. Thank you both for stepping forward,” Ellian says as he approaches us.
Neither Kyzen nor I say anything. We dip our heads and turn in the direction of the Attendants as Ellian does.
“I apologize for springing this on all of you. I’m sure you have lots of questions, fears, and hopefully, well, some hope. I’m going to do everything in my power to reshape the way your Designation is viewed. I ask that you give me not only time, but trust. I’m here for you, as are these gods behind me.”
All their attention moves over to us. More specifically, Yemi and Rose.
A few glance at them with just as much mistrust as they have toward the rest of us. Some, though, have hope shining in their eyes.
“You all are to stay in your homes for the remainder of lockdown. Food deliveries have been arranged for you by the gods in the dining hall. Chosen Attendants, your situations are a tad more difficult than the others due to the nature of your tie, but rest assured, I won’t tolerate you being treated wrongly. You don’t have to answer a summons from your Attending God today.
“Rising Chancellor Amick, Kyzen, my assistant, Lambrit Armend, and I will be reviewing and going over all of your schedules. Be on the lookout for your new one to arrive at some time today or tonight. If something about your roles doesn’t change, you will still receive a parchment that explains everything we are working on.”
They all nod or mumble ayes, sir, and Ellian gives them a small, tender smile.
“This is the beginning of a different journey in the Godsdawn for you. I promise to make sure it’s worth it. That will be all for now.”
A breath of silence holds them still.
We each flinch the smallest bit as cheers and clapping so boisterous spread over the Assembly. It makes my chest tight, but not in a bad way.
Ellian releases a harsh breath as he rests his hand on his heart and bows his head.
He makes a great High Chancellor.
