And if there was truly a risk of war, she needed to do everything in her power to stop it.
An arm slipped over her shoulders, pulling her closer, and she shot Ardow a grateful look when he didn’t acknowledge her frustrated stomps but kept his gaze on the glittering path, his eyes darting between the homes lining each side of it.
Amalise had arrived in Asker about the same time as Lessia, hailing from Gostkan, a small isle in the north of Ellow, but Ardow was born here. According to him, all nominees were allowed one person to accompany them for protection or support—or perhaps both—during the election. And while she’d hated herself when she told Amalise, Ardow was the obvious choice.
His parents weren’t nobles, couldn’t be, with the Fae blood running through his father’s veins, but they had influence over the farmers in the south. And he knew more about the election, and the participants, than her and Amalise combined.
She needed him.
Amalise knew it as well, but it would take a long time for her to forgive being left behind.
Amalise’s protectiveness made her take on the riskiest missions, always being the one to travel on the ships to Vastala—even though she was human. But this time, Lessia couldn’t allow her to do so. There was too much at stake, too much to gain, so even if she knew Amalise would feel like she’d stabbed her in the back, she’d had to ask Ardow.
She only prayed her best friend would forgive her.
“She will,” Ardow said softly. “She hates that she doesn’t have control, Lia. But she’ll forgive us. She probably already has.”
Lessia frowned at him. “How do you always read my mind?”
Rolling his eyes at her, he squeezed her shoulders again. “You wear every emotion on your sleeve. It’s not that difficult. But you should probably work on it. We’re nearly there.”
Lessia snapped her eyes forward.
The narrow path before them opened into a wide square, the houses surrounding it taller than the ones in the rest of the city, casting it in deep winter shade. Metal lampposts stood every few feet, but the frosted glass offered little light on the crowd that had gathered, filling nearly every inch of the pebbled courtyard.
A small dais had been set up before them, a few men already milling atop it, all of them in the black uniforms and masks Loche’s men favored. More of Loche’s men were posted around the square, their uniforms stark against all the white, and there were groups of nobles scattered here and there, their cloaks a mix of muted green and rich purple.
Ardow shifted his arm from her shoulders to grab her hand, and gently dragged her through the crowd, leading her right beneath the raised platform. Excited whispers surrounded them, people discussing who would nominate themselves and who could stand a chance against Loche.
Lessia did her best to tune them out, keeping her eyes trained on the graying man who approached the dais. One of Loche’s men helped him up, and when the crowd quieted, the entire square falling silent, nerves began swimming in her gut.
“As the Guardian of the Law in Ellow, I am happy to welcome you all today.”
Before continuing, the old man—whose name she vaguely recalled being Frayson—glared at a few people who continued whispering. “Today marks our twentieth electionin Ellow. The twentieth time our people will choose who will represent them. Who will vow to keep them safe and keep Ellow prosperous.”
People around her began cheering, the clapping and whistling hammering against her temples.
But when Frayson held up his hands, everyone quieted once more.
“One hundred years ago, a greedy king was the reason for thousands of people in Ellow perishing, through war or hunger or heartbreak following their loved ones’ deaths. Liaising with the shifters to win more land in Havlands, he tricked our people into war with the Fae. It wasn’t until an unlikely alliance formed by one of our people, a lowborn fisherman, with the Fae king that the bloodshed ended. After the war, we decided as a nation to give control to the people of Ellow, to every far-reaching island, to allow each individual a say in their future. To ensure our nation never again falls because of the greed of one man or woman. To ensure we keep the peace that has allowed us to thrive.”
More cheers rang out, and it was all she could do to keep hold of Ardow’s hand as her body tensed, her knees nearly buckling.
There was so much hope and excitement pouring from the men and women around her.
And she was about to make a mockery of it.
She’d make them think she wanted to challenge the man who’d brought so much joy to the people who’d had nothing, as if she didn’t respect and care how he’d pushed and fought and won for them.
Her shoulders hunched.
This was going to be torture.
But the thought of the fates she held in her hands kept herfeet planted instead of sprinting back to the safety and familiarity of the warehouse.
She lifted her eyes to Frayson when he continued. “Today we will once again give you that choice. I will now ask those who deem themselves worthy to step up and nominate themselves. Please make your way up here and declare your name if you believe you should have a say in Ellow’s future.”
Ardow grabbed her hand tighter when a strangled sound escaped her throat, and her eyes flew to his. Shaking his head, he nudged her forward, but before she could get a hold of herself, a man stepped onto the dais.
