The true absurdity of this situation is that Burr and Daian are in essence offering Lexi exactly what she and Taru have needed since Brio disappeared: allies with the power to help them. It would be a blessing if not for the obvious truth that Burr is a megalomaniac and Daian is a madman. In Lexi’s eyes, the Ignobles are the same as the Protectorate Ministry they are opposing. The only difference between the Ignobles and the Ministry seems to be that the Ignobles want to openly oppress the people while the Ministry is content to rule from the shadows and fool the people into thinking their lives are free from subjugation and control.

There has to be a third option for Crache, though Lexi cannot see it from where she stands now.

Lexi finds she can’t command her heart or mind to stop racing. Her only goal since Ashana took on her role of Evie and departed has been to hold Stalbraid together, by any means necessary, first to preserve Brio’s position, and then because Lexi found that not only did she have the ability to lead the Gen herself, she wanted to lead. More than that, Lexi wanted to best their enemies on the only battlefield available to her.

The thought of having that small victory snatched away, and watching the home built by their mothers and fathers be ripped apart and buried is almost too much for Lexi to bear.

When this all began she was a woman driven solely by loyalty, to her husband, to her Gen and its legacy. Now she finds the fire burning in the pit of her stomach is fed by principle, by that which Gen Stalbraid represents and its duty to the people for whom they’ve spent generations advocating. She won’t betray that, whether the Council razes the Stalbraid franchise or not. She won’t see harm come to those people who have no one else to speak for them, either.

Her thoughts turn to Brio and Taru and Ashana, wherever they may be in that moment. Perhaps they’re all dead by now, and in the end Lexi’s best efforts for them have amounted to ash. Perhaps they’re all still alive, and even if constrained are plotting their own means of escape. She wants to believe that above all else.

One thing holds true in either case: Lexi cannot depend on anyone else to come for her. There will be no rescue, no saving grace forged from the bravery and risk of others to aid her in her darkest hour.

It’s up to her to save herself.

It’s up to her to protect the Bottoms and all its children.

It’s up to her to stop Burr and Daian.

It’s up to her to be Gen Stalbraid.

We are not flowers. We do wilt.

Even in winter, the strongest flower may find a way to thrive.