The Central High Council congregated in a massive chamber of dark marble and towering columns. It smelled faintly of old parchment, incense, and the kind of mustiness that could only come from centuries of people sitting around talking about things that were far too important for their own good. The Great Houses loved their theatrics, and this place was no exception.

We walked through the heavy double doors with Lady Bernadette, our footsteps echoing on the polished floor. Members of the High Council were already seated in the chamber, each on raised platforms with an annoyingly superior vantage point. I wasn’t expecting all six regional governors to be here. That meant my father was up there too, and I found his stubborn grey eyes pretty quickly.

“Celeste Le Torneau, and Azriel Bloodworth,” Lady Bernadette introduced us to the council, and the chatter immediately died down.

Azriel bowed, and this time I followed his lead. To be honest, if it were up to me, I would just stand there and wait until the sentencing began. But still, I knew I had to make a good impression, especially since Lady Loreleia was present.

My eyes flitted over Azriel and I smiled. He looked like he was born for this moment. Back straight, expression composed, eyes locked on the council with that striking confidence. I envied him for that. I had always been more comfortable lurking in the shadows than standing under a spotlight.

“Thank you, Lady Bernadette,” Lady Saffron said. “You may leave us now.”

Lady Bernadette gave a curt nod before exiting, leaving Azriel and me alone with the council.

The first to speak was Lady Loreleia. As the reigning Supreme Eminence, her face was plastered everywhere, so I knew what she looked like. But seeing her in person was different. She had to be the most beautiful high elf I had ever seen, with brilliant blue eyes like crystal orbs. To think, at five hundred and seven, she looked like seventeen. “You both know why you’re here.”

Azriel nodded immediately, but I stayed silent. I could see her eyes narrowing as she looked at me.

“Le Torneau, this isn’t the time for defiance,” Lady Loreleia said.

“I know that, Your Eminence,” I said. As the Supreme Eminence of Wridel, Gaia had given her the power to command and compel all those under her authority. No matter how much I wanted to be defiant, I couldn’t. “I think it’s better to state things as they are, instead of assuming we’re all on the same page.”

I heard a soft scoff from the Fae representative—Lord Elowen, I think his name was. He looked entirely too amused by my response.

“It appears that Gaia’s selection for Supreme Successor has taken an unexpected turn. We hear you have been chosen to lead the Sovereignty after me, Celeste,” Lady Loreleia continued. “That is a first. The Great Houses and the High Council are not pleased with Gaia’s selection.”

“Evidently, Your Eminence,” I said. “Although, I’m not sure what’s wrong. Besides the known three great houses, there are other prominent houses, and I hail from one of them.” Everyone in attendance knew that. “The Le Torneau house may not be as prestigious as the three great houses, but our history and legacy are no less impressive. We have proven to be a powerful force in the affairs of the Sovereignty.” I bowed my head in mock reverence, waiting for her response.

“That’s hardly the issue here,” her Supreme Eminence said in a calm tone that grated at me. It reminded me of those placating tones adults use when they try to lie to kids or, in this case, a pawn they thought they could control.

I looked up now, staring right at her. “Is it that you disagree with Gaia’s selection, Your Eminence?” I asked. “There’s no denying that the council makes no attempt to be open-minded. But questioning Gaia’s will so boldly, isn’t that blasphemy?”

As Lord Dillard leaned forward, my eyes wandered over to him. “Have you got any idea who you’re talking to, girl?”

“The issue is,” Lady Loreleia continued, sidestepping Lord Dillard, “that you are a wild card. You have no respect for authority or tradition, and those are not the values we want in the one to succeed me.” She paused. “You must change your ways.”

Azriel looked over at me, shaking his head slightly, almost like he knew my response to Lady Loreleia would not be polite. Until today, I thought Lady Loreleia was amazing. I thought anyone Gaia chose to lead and bestow such power on was truly incredible. Now I wasn’t so sure. Although I was starting to suspect why Gaia was going out of the ruling houses.

“It’s important that Gaia’s selection is unifying, not discordant. It is a well-established fact that the Supreme Eminences of Wridel must hail from the three Great Houses, and that has maintained the status quo for millennia,” said a Fang representative I didn’t recognize. I didn’t appreciate what he said, though unlike the others, there was no malice in his tone or aura.

“There was a time when those houses weren’t so “great,” Your Grace,” I reminded them, clasping my hands behind my back, and keeping my eyes on Loreleia. “It is only through Gaia’s selection that you have whatever power and influence you hold, and now you question it because you fear losing that power. Attacking my reputation to get out of doing what Gaia has asked—for such mighty nobles, you disappoint me. If Gaia doesn’t mind how I carry myself, if my parents don’t, your opinion doesn’t really matter, Lady Loreleia.”

“Do you forget you stand before the High Council? How dare you speak so crassly to the Supreme Eminence?” someone barked from up there, and with their sheer number, I couldn’t place who it was. “Or have you forgotten your place and your manners just because you were named Supreme Successor?”

“Say whatever you want, Lord Uriel, but don’t be reckless in how you speak to her. She is, after all, a Le Torneau!” my father retorted. “You better mind yourself, or I’ll teach you your place!”

Oh no, that won’t help me, father. The hothead in my family was my father. Taken aback by my father’s words, Uriel gulped. Abashed at the reprimand, he turned his face away. Then my father turned away from Uriel, who I could see now was the mundane representative of the fellowship, and I felt bad for him.

Lady Loreleia asked, “Do you not see anything wrong with your daughter’s stance, Arris?” I watched my father’s glare turn on her. She would try to use this to smear my parents, just like she shamelessly did to me.

“When did it become a crime to speak one’s mind freely in the congregation of Gaia’s council?” my father asked her. “Courtesy to whom it’s due, but Wridel isn’t a dictatorship. Gaia selects and we enforce. That is all. I don’t see anything wrong with young Lady Le Torneau defending her reputation, which you tried to smear, Supreme Eminence.”

I smiled as I lowered my gaze. My father was a fearless rascal, regardless of who was involved.

“Do not get me wrong, she does not need me to defend her because she is capable of doing it. What bothers me is that you’re trying to use the power Gaia gave you to punish her for defending herself. That’s wrong, and I won’t stand for it.” After my father finished speaking, I waited for Loreleia’s response, but none came.

“Gaia’s grace, everyone. We’re getting carried away,” Lord Irving finally spoke. He was Alpha Devon of the Irving House, and seeing him in person—goddess, he was glorious. I had no idea what a god looked like, but he looked like one. Those piercing grey eyes with pitch-black hair neatly combed back, accentuating his strong jawline and dignified features. He was freakishly huge, and seeing his aura flare like rays of sunlight was breathtaking. He was dressed in a fine suit, with an intricate gold brooch pinned to the lapel.

“Do not let your outbursts distract you from why we are here.” Then he turned his gaze on me, and I almost smiled at how thoroughly mischievous he looked. “The selections have been made and accepted before the fellowship. However unprecedented things are, such is Gaia’s will, and it will be done.”

“Pray tell, Devon, why are you so accepting of this?” The Lord of the Great House of Perseus asked with a bemused smile. It was almost as if he was implying Alpha Devon being logical was out of character for him.

Somehow, I could see that with the mischievous glint in Devon’s eyes. It was impractical, but I found myself smitten by Lord Irving. I have to admit, I was confused. He was a couple of centuries older than me, but that didn’t change the fact that he was hot as hell. I tore my eyes away from his and looked at Azriel.

Alpha Devon shrugged. “It’s out of our hands,” he said simply. “I must do what I can to ensure Gaia’s will is fulfilled, as is the duty of my kind. You will not question it, or attack the Supreme Successor.”

Ah, that was right. The Lycans were the chosen protectors of the Supreme Eminence. Alpha Devon’s stance made sense now.

“Very well.” Lady Loreleia’s gaze hardened on me once more. “You will begin by visiting each of the sectors within the Sovereignty, as is expected of the Supreme Successor. You will meet with the governors and regional councils, listen to their concerns, and prove to them that you are worthy of this responsibility. Only then will the High Council consider finalizing your selection and set a coronation date.”

I groaned internally. A political tour of the Sovereignty? Fantastic. Just what I wanted—more opportunities to be scrutinized and judged by people who already didn’t like me.

I bit back my comment, forcing myself to nod in agreement. The last thing I needed was to leave here with the reigning Supreme Eminence as an enemy.

“As for you, Bloodworth, you will shadow the reigning governor of Odristan and learn about his station and how to carry out those duties when it comes time for you to succeed him,” the Supreme Eminence continued.

Azriel bowed his head. “Understood, Your Eminence. We will do what is necessary.”

“Good,” Lady Loreleia said, her eyes locking onto mine again. “Keep in mind, Celeste, this is your chance to prove that Gaia’s choice was not a mistake. Do not waste it.”

The nerve on her! My eyes narrowed at her. “I am not among the fold who believe Gaia makes mistakes, Your Eminence.”

“She’s a spirited one, isn’t she?” Lord D—Quan chuckled.

Yes, I am! I had my impossible parents and brothers to thank for that. They taught me never to cower, even in the face of power; it was unbecoming. I didn’t care if Lady Loreleia was the Supreme Eminence, and I didn’t care that I used to worship her. I was not about to let her treat me like some little puppet for her and her bloody house.

“You are dismissed. Lady Bernadette will provide you with the details of your journey,” the Supreme Eminence commanded, her bright blue eyes shooting daggers at me. At this rate, I’d almost prefer to succeed my mother as Kingmaker. At least that wouldn’t require mingling with these pompous fools.

I followed Azriel’s lead again in bowing before turning to leave. Azriel fell into step beside me, and I managed to steal another glance at Alpha Devon. Goddess save me, I had such wildly inappropriate thoughts about him.

As we walked out of the chamber, I muttered under my breath, “A political tour. Just what I always dreamed of.”

Azriel chuckled softly. “Look at it this way, it’ll be a chance to experience how the Sovereignty government works.”

I shot him a sideways glance. “You mean a chance to deal with a bunch of self-important leaders who think they know better than Gaia herself.”

“Exactly,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “What could be more entertaining?”

I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. I didn’t want to think about politics right now. Since we were in Ostonia, I wanted to go see my brothers and finally discuss this whole selection mess with my parents.

“You know,” Azriel said, “I think this might actually be good for you.”

I shot him a withering look. “Oh? And why’s that?”

“Because,” he replied, “you need to get out more. All that time spent at the academy has made you a little too comfortable hiding away from the world.”

I snorted. “Thanks for the concern, but I’m not interested in winning a popularity contest.”

He shook his head, his shaggy black hair falling slightly into his blue eyes. “That’s not it at all, Celeste. You need to make connections. If you’re going to lead and go against the ruling houses, people need to trust you. They need to see who you really are.”

I frowned. Trust. I had never been good at it—earning it nor giving it. But he had a point. If I was going to prove myself as the Supreme Successor, I needed to start somewhere.

We reached the entrance to the building, and the massive doors swung open as two guards pulled them aside. The bright sunlight outside was blinding after the dim interior of the council chamber, and I squinted as I stepped out onto the stone steps.

Lady Bernadette was waiting for us. She held a scroll in her hands, which she extended toward me. “Your itinerary, Lady Celeste. You are expected to begin your journey at first light tomorrow.”

I took the scroll with a frown. “At first light? Wouldn’t it make sense to start here, since we are already in Ostonia?”

I wouldn’t put it past the council to make sure I didn’t get the chance to converse with my parents about this to figure out how to handle it. It felt like they were plotting to set me up to fail.

“Leave us. I will have a word with my daughter,” my mother said behind me before Bernadette could respond, and I snapped around to face her. “Bernadette, Azriel, you are dismissed!”

Lady Bernadette nodded curtly, and Azriel gave me a quick look of encouragement before following Bernadette back inside.

Now it was just me and my mother. Lady Saffron Le Torneau, the Kingmaker of the Sovereignty. Her bright green eyes scrutinized me as if trying to read my thoughts.

“What is it, Mother?” I asked her, even though I was shocked that she’d come to see me with the council still in session.

She moved closer to me. “You were reckless, Celeste. Your attitude in there was exactly what they expected from you. They are waiting for you to slip so they can use it against you.”

I clenched my jaw. “I didn’t want to pretend to be someone I’m not just to please them.”

“This has nothing to do with that. I want you to survive this. You have been chosen as the Supreme Successor, and that comes with responsibilities and powerful enemies. You cannot afford to give them more reasons to target you. The only way to get Gaia to choose another successor is to kill you. Do you understand that?”

I sighed, my shoulders slumping. “So what am I supposed to do? Just smile and nod, agree with everything they say?”

Lady Saffron shook her head, her bob moving with the motion. I really liked the new hairstyle. “No. But you must be smart about how you challenge them. There is strength in subtlety, in choosing your battles. You need to learn to play their game better than them.”

I looked away, my eyes focusing on the distant skyline of Ostonia. I knew she was right. But it was so hard to bite my tongue when everything in me wanted to fight back.

Then she said the most unexpected thing. “Your father and I are proud of you, you know. Gaia chose you for a reason. You have a strength that they cannot see yet. But you need to learn to harness it, to use it wisely.”

I glanced back at her, surprised by the gentleness in her tone. It wasn’t often that my mother showed this side of herself. “I’ll try,” I said quietly.

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “That’s all I ask. Now, go see your brothers. They’ve been waiting for you—tell them about your selection.”

I returned her smile. “Thank you, Mother.” My mother had only ever smiled at me four times, and this was the fourth.

“This Azriel who is clinging to you,” she said as I turned to leave, “do you wish to marry him?”

I froze, turning back to face her, my eyes widening. “What? No! I mean—he’s my friend.”

Lady Saffron raised an eyebrow. “Good. Keep it that way. You will need powerful allies who will serve you on your new path, and I do not believe the Bloodworth will cut it.”

I swallowed. “Understood.”

She gave a final nod, then turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, the scroll still clutched in my hand. I took another deep breath. It was time to see my brothers, and not think too much about marriage and allies.