“Is that true?” My voice cracks with sorrow.
“All Connor and I are saying is that, in this moment, we must do a careful dance to keep all the thrax in line. Half of them didn’t want to attend the wedding.”
My shoulders slump. Not attend the wedding? Octavia’s words hit me like so many fists. “They’ll never see me as more than a demon, will they?”
Octavia steps forward and takes my hands in hers. Her fingers feel so tiny and dainty in mine. “They will see you, eventually. You’re a wonderful person. However, you must be patient. Besides, the thrax aren’t the only one with prejudices. Your people have issues with Lincoln, don’t they?”
How I hate to admit this, but she’s right. I mean, the quasis did sing that “Kumbaya” song with hate speech against my fiancé. “Yes, I suppose they do.”
Octavia gives my hands a squeeze. “These are age-old misunderstandings between our peoples. You and Lincoln are breaking new ground. That takes courage and time.”
My throat tightens with grief. I get the whole “be patient” thing. Still, it hurts like hell. “I guess so.”
Even as the words leave my lips, some small voice in the back of my head screams that I just got derailed. There was something more important at stake here, wasn’t there? I try to recapture my line of thinking, Somehow, all I can focus on is the fact that the thrax can’t stand me.
I blink hard, my mind refocusing. No. I won’t let this conversation get derailed. My train of thought comes back online. “I didn’t ask you here to discuss the misunderstandings between our people. And I won’t be deterred from the real threat here. Pulpitums, people.”
“Myla’s right,” continues Lincoln. “We want Acca off Pulpitum duty. I need a copy of the duty roster to do it.”
Connor shrugs. “Can’t give you that.”
Lincoln’s eyes narrow. His body fairly radiates rage. “I suppose there’s no point in asking you for a list of all Acca nobility and their thanes? Now that the codex is with the Arbiter, it’s only a matter of time before Aldred is convicted. Aldred isn’t the only rotten apple in the Acca barrel. We need to clean up that House. In order to accomplish that, I require a full list of everyone in Acca. We must decide who will be exiled after Aldred’s in jail.”
“I’m working on it, my boy. There are millions of thrax in Antrum. It takes time to find everyone from Acca.”
I’d say bullshit again, but I feel like I’ve used up that card today. And, if I’m being honest, I’m still feeling blue from that whole being-hated thing.
“We’ll get it to you shortly,” adds Octavia. “I promise you both.”
“I see.” The tone of Lincoln’s voice says he thinks that’s a whopper of a lie. “And will Aldred be at the wedding tomorrow?”
Connor’s mouth thins to a determined line. “I think you know the answer to that question. Of course, he’ll attend. It’s what has to be done to keep the peace.” Connor throws up his hands. “There’s no point continually rehashing our positions here. You have one idea about how to lead Antrum. Your mother and I have another.” He shoots a glare in my direction. “And no, there were no goats involved in our decision making. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and we know the best way to rule.”
“Precisely.” Lincoln’s usually so calm and collected. This time, though? His words come out as an almost snarl. “We have different ideas on how to rule. So in that light, let me make one thing absolutely clear. If Acca isn’t dismantled and I don’t believe with every fiber of my being that Antrum is safe for Myla and our children, then I’m stepping out of the line of succession. Acca won’t have to fight to gain the throne. I’ll give it to them. Aldred’s the senior Earl. Without an heir, the throne is his after you’re gone.”
All the blood drains from Octavia’s face. “What?”
My mouth falls open. “You can’t be serious.”
Lincoln turns to me. With the slowest and gentlest of movements, he cups my face in his softly calloused palms. The warmth of his touch moves through my soul. “You are what’s most important in my life, Myla. All this work to dismantle Acca was only to ensure your safety here in Antrum. If it isn’t secure, then I will step down.”
His words rattle around my brain. This can’t be real. “But you’re a wonderful ruler. We all know you’ve been running things for ages. And if you leave Antrum to Acca, you’ll be dooming your people. Acca can’t manage demons on Earth. Look what happened at the Wheeler Institute. This will affect the humans, too.”
Lincoln leans in until his forehead touches mine. “I can’t do any of this without you, Myla. Not even if I wanted to.”
My eyes prick with tears. I feel the same way. Without Lincoln, I’m not sure I could move a soul, even if the igni were freaking out.