Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1) (43 page)
Read Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1) Online
Authors: Kylie Griffin
“I think you’d better consider your options carefully now, Council,” Candra said, her voice clear and hard. “I’m sure once it becomes known Kalan has stepped down as
Chosen
many more will follow. I can’t speak for everyone in the hospice but there will be quite a few healers who’ll also withdraw their service from the city and throw their lot in with the
Na’Chi
.”
“You’d leave our people without services?” Elamm sputtered, the first to find her voice. “There’ll be riots in the streets. We’ll be inundated with complaints—”
“What about the
Na’Reish
?” The wide-eyed and pale-faced expression of Lin, the Master Weaver was almost comical. “Once they hear of this, they’ll flood across the border and attack.”
Annika’s hand squeezed his. “Kalan, you can’t let this happen.”
“It’s their choice.” His tone brooked no argument.
“Perhaps we’ve made too hasty a decision.” Evel glanced swiftly at his peers to gauge their reactions. All nodded and the grey-haired Councilor gestured to him. “Please,
Chosen
, Councilors, we need your experience and leadership.”
His contrite plea did little to mollify Kalan. He was aware that Candra, Benth, and Varian all watched him closely, ready to follow his lead. Kymora stood beside Varian, her head tilted to one side, a serene smile on her face.
For a moment his sister’s expression reminded him of the times she’d received a visitation from the
Lady
but then she moved and her head turned toward him. She was listening carefully to all that went on around her.
“We could discuss the issue of Annika remaining, couldn’t we?” Elamm’s weak smile to the other Councilors faltered. “Surely one
Na’Chi
within the city…”
“No.” Kalan made sure his voice carried. “If you want me back, there’ll be no negotiation. You agree to the plans discussed in the chamber or I won’t return.”
Annika’s indrawn breath was sharp but she said nothing.
“That’s blackmail! An abuse of your power as
Chosen
!” Elamm protested.
“I tried to give you a choice before. You refused to consider it, so now I’m making the decision for you, Councilors. You either agree to my terms or I leave.” He speared them all with his gaze. “I’ve decided the
Na’Chi
need a representative on this Council. I find that after the way you’ve dismissed them, they’re going to need an equal voice, someone to speak to their interests. Annika, would you take on this position?”
Goose bumps prickled Annika’s body and for the longest moment she said nothing, shocked by his proposal. Kalan’s power and determination to save his people and hers made her love him even more. Standing up to the Council, abandoning them if they refused to follow him was an enormous sacrifice but she had little doubt he’d do it.
She swallowed hard as she considered the role he offered her. Her first instinct was to refuse. She could barely read and write their language, how would she fulfill the role without those skills?
Her gaze flitted to the men and women standing in the street, the ones who had followed from the chamber and those from the city drawn by the commotion. She considered the anxiety and concern etched into the faces of the new Councilors. They all waited for her answer. Instead of feeling intimidated, she realized their hypocritical intolerance, their lack of faith in the
Lady
and
Her
chosen leader left her feeling angry.
But,
Lady’s Breath
, the responsibility of the position was enormous. Should anyone have been chosen, Lisella would’ve been the better alternative. She’d already established a rapport with the Councilors’ families in the time she’d lived here.
“The
Na’Chi
would wholeheartedly support you.” Varian spoke softly, so only they could hear him.
Annika took in a ragged breath and glanced at the circle of friends surrounding her. Varian’s gaze blazed violet and green, his look fierce and encouraging. Lisella’s small smile was full of hope.
“There’s no one I’d rather have championing our people, Annika,” she murmured. “Hesia would be proud to see what you’ve already accomplished for us. You’ve helped us find a home and,
Lady
willing, many friends to share it with.”
Annika’s throat tightened with her timely reminder of her mentor and friend’s dream for them. Her heart ached that she wasn’t there to see it, too.
“The Journey hardest traveled is always the most rewarding, Annika,” Kymora reminded her.
Candra grunted and nodded. She even waggled her eyebrows as if in challenge, daring her to take on the position.
Kalan’s gentle smile warmed her heart. “Many travel this Journey with us. More will join us. We’re not alone.”
His words vanquished her doubts. Annika took a deep breath. “I’d be honored to be a part of the Blade Council.”
Kalan’s hand tightened around hers as he faced the Council. “With the
Lady
as my witness, if you agree to follow my plans, and if after a year there has been no significant change in the people’s attitude or acceptance of the
Na’Chi
, I’ll step down again and you can appoint another
Lady’
s
Chosen
.”
“If we agree to this, will you all remain in the service of the
Lady
?” Nyon asked, his frown deepening as he addressed the Light Blade warriors and crafters who’d supported them.
“We stand with Kalan.” All who stood by them echoed Candra’s affirmation.
The new Councilors all nodded and just like that the new Blade Council was reformed. Annika’s stomach danced with nerves but her heart soared as she contemplated her future.
It didn’t matter what it held as long as she was by Kalan’s side. She was proud to accompany him on this Journey. Both their races would survive this transition period. She was under no illusion that the road would be filled with many holes and steep rises but, with the
Lady
’s blessing, their love would shape not only their destiny but also the destinies of all.
Tightening her grip on his hand, Annika smiled at Kalan. There was such renewed strength and purpose burning in his gaze.
“You would have truly sacrificed your future for me, wouldn’t you?” she said.
“Yes. My life, my heart, my soul.” A slow, tender smile curved Kalan’s lips. “I would’ve given it all, because without you there’s nothing of worth left living for.” His fingers traced the side of her face, lingering to caress her
Na’Chi
markings. “Besides, you put the needs of everyone ahead of your own life. How couldn’t I do the same for you?”
Annika lifted herself on tiptoe to press a gentle kiss to his lips. “I love you, Kalan.”
His green eyes burned brighter and his spicy scent filled her lungs. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that.” His lips brushed hers. “Say it again,
Na’Chi
.”
“I love you.” His next kiss curled her fingers into fists in his shirt.
“Again.”
“I love you.”
He drew her hair off to the side and kissed her neck. Annika hissed at the touch as lightning sizzled through her body, and wished they were alone together instead of standing in the middle of the street in front of two dozen pairs of eyes.
Kalan’s voice dropped, deepened and she felt his lips curve against her skin. “Again…”
She made him wait until he caught her up and swung her around.
Annika swallowed her laughter and threaded her fingers through his hair. “I love you, Light Blade,” she murmured as her mouth met his and, without words, she showed him just how much.
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