Igniting Spirit (Gathering Water Book 3) (18 page)

Rambling was
not
a good quality in a leader.

“Are you wondering if our own home is large enough to host your Elfennol?” Ian asked.

“Well, they aren’t Elfennol any longer.” I looked at Lena. “The people who will join my father in exile will be considered just as much outsiders as the Clades are.” I didn’t say that they technically
were
Clade, now. They both knew that, but I wasn’t sure pointing it out would do any good. Besides I knew my father would still carry the mantle of leader for his House, which isn’t the way the Clades did things — better not to verbally confirm it so there aren’t any issues later.

“You must do what you think is best. We chose you to lead us, which means you don’t need our permission for anything.” Lena’s stance widened and her arms crossed, but her tone of voice didn’t betray her defensiveness.

I took a deep breath. “I think it’s best to make sure I don’t put a bunch of people together that hate each other. It’s your home, Lena, and the people there should feel safe. Especially after Kayus nearly destroyed it. I’m not going to put my father’s people with ours if it will cause
more
problems. The idea is to unite our people, not cause even more hurt feelings.” I’d kept my eyes on her, but now I looked at both of them. “It wouldn’t be fair of me to force the issue.” Ezra was pressed even closer against me. Not on top of me, or anything, but our arms were firmly touching now, where they were just grazing each other before.

“Leaders must sometimes make unfair decisions for the good of their people,” Ian said. He was born a Clade, though. I don’t think he really comprehended what it was like for some of his people, those like Lena who had family or friends betray them.

“It’s not just being fair, Ian. If I’m going to be a good leader, I need to do more than keep our people safe. I can’t, in good conscience, place the Leoht in your home when some of our people have been victimized by them. That’s what many of you are, victims.” I briefly looked at Lena again. “I want to find a way to make this work, and I know that if it’s possible you’ll help me find a way.”

Lena nodded her head. “The Leoht have always been the most tolerant of the Elfennol. Many were cast out, but they are the ones most likely to keep in secret contact with their family members, like your Alexander and his mother. But that does not mean that we don’t have among our numbers victims of that House. I have no personal grievances against any among the Leoht, but I can’t speak for everyone. Maybe I can go home and spread the word; find out who is against it, why, and if there is any way to make it work.”

I smiled. “That would be great, Lena. If anyone has an issue with particular people, maybe we can work something out for them. At the very least, the offending people can maybe stay at the base?”

“I believe that might be a good compromise. I can leave immediately, if you wish.”

“Wait until after we talk with everyone here,” I directed. Lena nodded her head. “Oh, and Lena. I don’t know if it will make any difference to them. But I am still Epiklayra of the Leoht. The Clades chose me, and I will do everything I can to be worthy of that honor — everything I can to protect my people. But the Leoht are my people, too. One day I’ll take my father’s place and lead them just like you’ve elected me to lead you. I know it won’t happen overnight, but the Ethnos will be one people again.”             

Ian bowed his head and made the guardian symbol in the air again. Lena, after a moment of eye contact with me, followed suit. I was honored that these two Elders
still
chose me. Especially Lena, who had such a good reason for blind hatred. In the corner of my eye I saw Jonathan, who was still creating benches near us, create the rune as well, then another Clade, and another, until all dozen or so in the area were doing it. I spun around, humbled. I took a moment to make eye contact with each of them so they knew I saw them — so they knew I appreciated them, and would try to live up to their hope for me.

There was part of me that was certain their faith was misplaced. I was too young, too inexperienced, and one misstep on the fine line I was walking would lead them all to ruin. Just because I had the power to protect them, didn’t mean I had the knowledge to lead them. Then I felt Ezra’s hand creep into mine, his aura fusing with my own, and I knew he would stand by me — that he would help me, and so would my father, and Alexander, and the other Elders. He reminded me that I’m not alone.

When would I stop marveling at that fact? How does a tight rope walker learn to rely on her safety net when she’s never had one before? With them, I can be braver. With them, I can walk out with a head held high. Instead of clinging to the rope, I will fly.

Journal,

Well, today was illuminating. My lesson with Dad about the Elfennol went pretty well, actually. He wasn’t all ogreish, and was very patient while explaining things. Apparently, when he’s been hounding me about lessons these past weeks,
these
were the type of lessons he was talking about. Dad wants me to be prepared for the Elfennol — he says they’re incredibly hard to read, and their confidence is hard to gain. I’m at a disadvantage over Connor because as soon as I pass my Testing, I’ll become the Duxa Deare, where Connor has years before Dad will step down. So my father wasn’t trying to be a jerk and underestimate me. He was genuinely trying to prepare me for leadership. I wish he’d actually took the time to say that, instead of just lecturing about my lack of responsibility. Or maybe he tried, and I just didn’t listen. Sometimes I’m so sure of myself that I refuse to listen. It’s time for me to grow up a bit. Me and Dad have our issues, but I’m about to be Duxa. I have to stop expecting him to be awful. I have to trust him, if not as a loving father, then at least as co-leader of the Dunamis in this war.

But that’s not what the illuminating bit is!

I found out who Derek is! He’s the Heir to the Leoht House. Basically the future ruler of all the dang Elfennol! So, I’ll definitely be seeing him at my Testing. Dad told me all about him, because the current Lord Leoht — Derek’s father — is starting to fade, and Derek will be sitting with his father and the rest of the Council during my Testing. He’s being trained to take over. This certainly explains all the family pressure he’s been under, and Dad even mentioned how he worried this future Council member might not be the right person to take over.

He actually said quite a lot on the subject, but I couldn’t make myself respond. I just sat there with my mouth agape and suppressed the equal urges to laugh or cry.

I really hope Derek is a good actor, because if he hasn’t already figured out who I really am, he’s in for quite a surprise.

I also really hope that we can find a way to be together. It’s not often that I’ll be at the Elfennol base, and the idea of sneaking around is an appealing one… It’s also an incredibly stupid one, but so is falling for the future leader of the Elfennol, and that ship has sailed.

*****

“Della, do you need more time? I believe we are ready to address the people,” my father asked me.

I turned to look at him and smiled. “No, we’re finished. We’re trying to work out a way that the Leoht can bunker down with the Clades. It’s not definite, and may require some compromise or making amends for some of our House, but I think we might be able to get it worked out.”

Derek nodded his head with a ghost of a smile on his face. “I believe our House will be much appreciative of the Clade hospitality, and will be willing to do quite a bit in order to repair our relationship with them.” He nodded at someone behind me, and the recently erected benches started filling with people.

“Do I need to stand here with you?” I was hoping not.

“Not the entire time. But please sit in the frontmost row. It will be easier for you when it is your time to speak.” Derek was looking around, I think to watch and make sure everyone was gathering around.

“My time to speak?” I asked. But he started talking to Alexander, and Ezra gently pulled me to a bench to take a seat.

Laurel came to sit beside me, and I saw Ian and Lena were sitting next to Ezra.

“Why do I need to speak?” I asked Ezra. Certainly he would know.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Because you’re the leader of the Clades, the Duxa, the Epiklayra of the Leoht, and the most powerful person here. I think you should consider yourself lucky that Lord Derek is doing any talking at all.”

“Oh, yes, it all makes sense when you put it that way.” I rolled my eyes.  “Hey, you might be as powerful as me. Why don’t you have to speak?” I really wasn’t that bothered by the idea of speaking. Okay, I mostly wasn’t bothered by the idea of speaking. This “leadership” thing was happening a little fast, but everything in my life happened fast now.

I just felt like complaining. I knew it wasn’t the best time to make a fuss, but sometimes being contrary for no reason whatsoever makes things feel better.

Maybe I need therapy.

Laurel leaned over to join our conversation. “Della, Ezra is considered one of the reasons why you’re so powerful. He will be standing up there with you so that everyone is reminded of the powerful allies you can attract.”

“As your consort, Ezra’s power is a direct reflection of your own,” Ian nosed in from Ezra’s other side.

I opened my mouth to argue a bit more, but my father took the stage, as they say.

“Thank you all for supporting us today, and staying afterwards so we can discuss our next steps.” My father had a great public speaking voice, very steady. He was so regal, with his back straight and his voice firm. He was also very approachable, the type of ruler that people follow out of love rather than obligation. I didn’t know if that was something he would be able to teach me. The Clades chose me because of my strength, and people would follow me because of that and my family. I was so appreciative that I wouldn’t need to fill my father’s shoes for a few centuries — I knew I wouldn’t be able to fill them anytime soon.

When Derek started explaining exactly what happened during the meeting with the Council and all the stuff I already knew, I leaned over to Ezra. “Why does everyone assume you’re my consort, or whatever. We need to talk to them about it,” I whispered. It was something that kind of excited me, while making me a little uncomfortable at the same time.

He leaned into me a little further. “Why does it bother you so much?” he whispered back.

“Because, I don’t know, it’s weird.” How did he not already see that? Maybe I was reading too much into it. “I mean, people keep giving me credit for what you do. Doesn’t that bother you?”

Laurel shushed me, quietly. I kept my focus on Ezra.

“Not particularly. Maybe I like the assumption.” Ezra was staring straight forward, but I knew if I were sitting on his other side, I’d have the perfect view of his dimple.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re no help at all.”

He looked at me, made total eye contact for about two seconds, then brought his face forward again to watch my dad. “I don’t need to tell you what I feel for you, because I know you feel the same way, Della. Don’t overthink it if other people see it, too. It doesn’t hurt anything.”

Don’t overthink it. Accept it. I used to be really good at that type of thing, or I thought I was. My life had never been my own, and in some ways it never would be, but I was making my own decisions now. I was in control in ways I’d never been before. But whatever was between Ezra and I was outside of that control. It wasn’t a choice or a decision. It was something that had been thrust upon me, and I could either fight it or accept it. I looked at him and tried to separate my feelings from our strange connection. But I couldn’t. Our connection went deeper than the way our auras fit together, or how our powers complimented each other. He understood me in a way that had nothing to do with the power in our own bloodlines, and everything to do with our life experiences. And that was something I could easily accept. I didn’t want his identity to be swallowed by me, though. Maybe that’s what was bothering me about his being called my consort. He was so much more than that, and I didn’t like the idea of people not seeing him as anything more than an extension of me.

Laurel nudged me, hard. I turned to look at her, and she nodded up to my father who was looking at me. I guess I missed my intro.

My face heated. “Oh. My turn.” I swallowed hard — my mouth was suddenly dry —  then stood up and walked to my father with Ezra following. Dad reached over and kissed my forehead, then very lightly pushed me in front of him.

I turned to look at him, hoping he’d give me some hint as to what the heck I was supposed to say. It probably would have helped if I’d been paying any attention when he’d been speaking so I knew where he left off. Oh well. The nerves finally hit, and I wiped my now-sweaty palms on my pants.

“Well, like my father said, thank you for supporting us. For supporting me, really. When I first came here, I didn’t choose my family, or the role I inherited from both sides — and I know that you guys didn’t choose me either. I’ve worked hard to be worthy of the positions of Duxa and Epiklayra, and I hope to become the type of person you can be proud to follow, like those who came before me.” I paused, astounded that everyone was looking and paying attention. “Everyone here now was recently given the freedom to make a decision about me. Some of you made that decision yesterday,” I looked at the cluster of Clades sitting in front of me, then looked at the Leoht and Dunamis, and hoped that my eyes were portraying what I was feeling. “And some of you made it today. You were all given a choice, and I am honored that you have all chosen to stand by me and my family. I promise you that I will always work towards earning my positions among you; always work towards being the caliber of person whom you want to stand behind. I will continue to work harder and become strong enough to face any threat head on.” I cleared my throat, and tried to make eye contact with people from each group — Dunamis, Clade, and Elfennol — then took a deep breath. “There have been a lot of uncertainties in my life, but no longer. I know that Kaylus is a real threat to us all and it’s time we join together in order to stop him. Because we will stop him. There’s no alternative. I’ll do everything I can to protect our families and our homes — our world — because it’s clear that everyone here
is my family
. There’s going to be a lot of changes coming up. It’s time the Dunamis and the Ethnos — all of the Ethnos — learn to trust each other and work together. We all have a lot of adjustments to make and there will be some growing pains. With a little time and understanding, I’m certain it will work out better than ever. We’ll find a way to make your concerns heard, and we’ll do what we can to address them. Um, just have patience and trust that this is for the best.”

Ezra took a step forward. “Be assured that Della is stronger than my father and his men, and take comfort that she won’t be alone in this.”  He looked at me with raw adoration, and I drew in a quick breath, surprised that he would show that in front of so many. It was more than a look, it felt like a proclamation. “Her power is great, and her weapons are deadly.” He looked back at the rows of seated people, and the way he lowered his voice on that last bit made it clear he was talking about
himself
when he said
weapons
. I was still recovering from the way he looked at me, my heart was racing and I hoped that no one noticed the flush gracing my cheeks.

“You are all more than mere allies today. Today you are our friends — no, our family,” my Father addressed the people again, walking to stand in front of Ezra and I, with his body turned towards ours. “Today you look upon the future of our world — eternally united under a banner of hope, strength, and understanding.” He reached his hands forward, placing one on my shoulder and the other on Ezra’s. “And love, since it embodies all three,” he said to us so quietly I wasn’t sure if anyone else heard him.