Rowena blinked. “…what?”
“Weren’t you in love with me at one point?” he asked bluntly.
It was Ro’s turn to laugh. “You certainly have a healthy opinion of yourself. I admired you and I appreciated everything you did for me, but it would be impossible for me to love the brother of my greatest enemy. I’m sorry if that’s painful to hear, but you did ask.”
Alastor pressed a hand to his heart and staggered back a few steps. “You’ve changed. Before, you never would’ve been so candid even if I pleaded for such frankness.”
“That’s the nature of the world,” she said lightly. “Things change. So do people. We adapt to new circumstances or risk getting left behind.”
Slay brooded all through the debates.
Although Rowena did an amazing job as the moderator, he couldn’t focus on the answers each candidate gave. Even in his distracted state, however, it was clear that Chantisse was destroying her opponent. Her proposals were pages long and the resistance leader could talk all day about her ideas. Most of them were fucking brilliant.
But all Slay could hear was Alastor asking Rowena if she used to be in love with him. What the fuck is that about? He has a wife, right? Does he think he’s keeping Ro at his side too?
He’d really wanted to punch the former prince, and it galled him to wheel away instead. Slay had run laps around the city, trying to figure out why that exchange bothered him so much. And honestly, he still had no idea. Because Ro had laughed in Alastor’s face; she didn’t even seem to be carrying that hero worship anymore.
Maybe…it’s because I want to be the only one who puts stars in her eyes?
Yeah, that’s definitely it.
It was irrational to be jealous over stuff that was done and couldn’t be changed, but here he was, being an irrational shit, just like always.
I really need to stop. With Ro, I have to do better.
Before he knew it, the debate was over. Chantisse did a meet and greet afterward, shaking hands and answering questions from all citizens.
Events unspooled fast after that.
Slay helped as a volunteer at a voting station when election day dawned. Things had been a bit odd between Ro and him, as if they both knew they were marking time until everything was decided in Golgerra. He tried to act like nothing was bothering him, but he wasn’t sure how good a job he was doing. Mostly he felt…superfluous. He could’ve left Golgerra at any point, but he wanted Ro to go with him and he knew damn well she wouldn’t leave with shit unresolved.
Alongside the other volunteers, he counted ballots until late in the night. And shortly before first light—created by virtue of the crystals—Chantisse emerged as the first prime minister the Golgerran people ever elected.
Spirits were high as the populace celebrated. Sy Loudens was a good sport and didn’t act like an entitled turd when he gave his concession speech. Slay waited until the crowd thinned a little, then he headed over to shake Chantisse’s hand. The resistance leader had never looked happier or more in her element, both gracious and charismatic.
The new prime minister accepted Slay’s congratulations with a broad smile. “If you’re willing, I wish to send word with you to Ash Valley. I’ve heard that all the other settlements have ratified the Pax Protocols, and I would like to make the truce official as soon as possible. It’s the only way for our citizens to have complete peace of mind as we begin the next chapter of Golgerran history.”
In most people, a declaration like that would seem like hyperbole, but Chantisse’s conviction made it feel like a promise instead. Somewhat surprised at being offered a role in diplomatic endeavors, he said, “Yeah, that’s no problem at all. I’m sure Dom will want to get things squared away ASAP as well. You can count on me.”
“What are you asking him to do?” Ro asked.
“I just requested that he carry a message when he leaves,” Chantisse said.
Maybe Slay was imagining things but it seemed like Ro flinched at hearing that. But she covered so quickly he couldn’t be sure. “Have you decided when you’re going?” she asked.
Before he could answer, someone flagged Chantisse and she murmured a courteous farewell, then headed off to join those waiting for her input. Ro took a step toward him, gripping his arm with a look he couldn’t identify.
“Well?”
“Soon,” he said. “Tomorrow, probably. But…I wanted to talk to you about that.”
Ro’s eyes were so wide and guileless, a clear lake under the moonlight. “About what?”
Time to bite the bullet.
“I’m wondering if you’d like to go with me. To Ash Valley,” Slay said.
“Are you asking me to have an adventure with you?” Her expression brightened at once, and she raised her face with a pert little grin.
“Yeah. You interested? We can travel old school. My jaguar could use a long run, and I’ll hunt as we travel. Ever gone on a long flight?”
She appeared to consider, then shook her head. “I’ve never flown for days at a time, mostly recon runs or during a battle. It would be amazing to go to Ash Valley that way with you. The freedom…”
“We can pitch camp a few times and I’ll cook up whatever I find for us.”
“Let’s do it,” she said, bouncing a little in her excitement.
“I also want to bring you to see someone.” He wasn’t sure how she’d take it if he admitted he planned to visit his mother’s columbarium and spill all his feelings afterward.
The more he thought about it, the better he liked the idea. No danger in traveling overland now, though it might be rough for him, getting off the mountain. Slay had no real recollection of how the hell he’d ended up here, but he could check some maps before he set off as a jaguar guide. He’d never been much of a student, and geography wasn’t his strong point, but once he figured out which direction to travel in, they’d be fine.
The next morning, they got up early, relieved of all duty related to Golgerran business. Ro had many people she wanted to see before they left. For Slay there weren’t as many but he did stop by the lab where Sheyla Halek had holed up.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
He’d noticed that she didn’t give the customary greetings, like her time was money, and she didn’t care to spend it on small talk. Slay liked that about her, truth be told.
“Yeah, but we’re heading out soon. Just wanted to ask if there’s anything you need me to do for you in Ash Valley.”
“Let my family know I’m fine. I talk to them on the phone, but I suspect they don’t believe that I’m content or even safe, half the time. Maybe I should send a hank of hair with you as proof of life?”
Slay laughed. “They don’t like…Alastor?” It would take some getting used to, calling the former prince by his first name.
“It’s complicated. They want me to be happy, but they don’t believe I could’ve found that with someone like him.”
“The fact that he’s ill or the fact that he’s Gol?”
“More the latter,” she said quietly.
Slay bit back a swear. “Old prejudices die hard. My ma was the same way, only she even discriminated against Latents.”