“They’re the new restricted room guards and they’ll rotate watch over the Athenaeum.”
I mask my shock as my mind whirls around that, but Lambrit holds my gaze, saying many things without ever opening his mouth.
“If that was your first conversation as the High Chancellor’s assistant, then I can see why you first felt used. Truth be told, I’ve felt that way my whole life, and it’s taken me some time now to realize it isn’t in the sense that I’ll be used, then disposed of. People—many of whom I care about—rely on me and my skill set.
“Being used isn’t inherently cruel. It becomes that way when you’re interchangeable and when your well-being doesn’t matter. That isn’t what this is. You were chosen because you matter to us and because losing you would cost us something. You’re one of us, and we all have a role to play.”
He nods mindlessly as he stares at my door.
“I know you’re right. I guess a part of me still feels like I was only offered this positionbecauseI’m one of you. More specifically, because Thayla is my best friend.”
“If Thayla had it her way, you’d be hidden so far away from all of this, you’d have no clue what was going on. The only thing being her best friend has done for you since your arrival in the Godsdawn is to make sure you ended up on the right side of things. If you don’t recall, upon your arrival, you had really high regards for Harriseen.”
His wide eyes whip toward me and his lips part with his breath.
“That’s very true. If not for Thayla always talking bad about him and calling him out, I probably would’ve thought he was the gods’ gift to the Godsdawn.”
“Probably. Many do. The point I was trying to make is, you’ve earned this all on your own, and we need your help. You’ve stood at that podium day in and day out, studying, honing your power, and learning everything you could. We see your value, Lambrit. You need to see it for yourself.”
A slow smile stretches across his face before he can stop it, then he hops up from Thayla’s chair with newfound excitement.
“You’re right, I do deserve this. Now I can use my position to actually help all of you rather than sit on the sidelines while you all fight the good fight. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I still can’t swing a sword, but this,” he says, tapping his temple, “this can be a very useful weapon that I can wield to help protect all of you, like you’ve all protected me. Thanks, Amick. I really needed this.”
Oh my.
Thayla will surely kill me if he starts poking his nose where it doesn’t belong and ends up hurt or in the middle of all our madness.
I jump from my chair. “Lambrit, before—”
“Oh, hey, Nero,” Lambrit says, ignoring me while patting Nero on the back as he passes him by through my door.
Nero stands there, arm still raised as though he was going to knock, and I hang my head.
Great.
“Is now a bad time?” he asks, and I sigh.
“That depends. Are you here for a very misguided pep talk? If so, I’m fresh out of those.”
My sarcasm takes us both by surprise for a moment.
“Um, no. I’m good on the pep talks. I stopped by because Yemi said you needed to speak with me.”
My brows scrunch together. I said no such thing. I told her to tell him I needed him to accompany us…oh.
“She didn’t tell you what I needed, did she?”
“Specifically? No. Only that you needed to talk.”
I swear, Yemi Andino. You’re as stubborn as my Binder.
I can’t tell if she’s trying to force her men to grow closer to us or she’s truly too uncomfortable having tough conversations with them—mostly Nero.
“Well then. Are you aware what she and Thayla had to do this morning?”
“Something about placing barriers around people.”
“Something about…” I huff and stare at him. “Honestly, Nero, what is the communication issue between you and your Binder? It is so counterproductive having to repeat conversations and plans to you that should’ve already been had.”
