“My father did not pass the secret down to me,” I admitted. I couldn’t admit that I had Alanga powers myself. “But he left notes and books. I believe that with time and effort, I will find a way to stop them. No matter what the method is, I’ll need the support of the islands. I’ll need your support. This means we stick together, we stay strong. And part of staying strong is not getting sick. We need those supplies and we need them circulating.”

Ranami fixed me with a level gaze. I wondered whose idea this was: hers, Phalue’s or both? I couldn’t tell. “Imperial will receive caro nuts when you abdicate.”

I did my best not to clench the chopsticks in my fist. “And who will replace me?”

“A council of island representatives,” Phalue responded. “One from each island, formed to make decisions pertaining to the health of the Empire as a whole.”

So they wanted the same thing as the Shardless Few? Or perhaps the Shardless Few had put them up to it. “Really?” It was hard not to keep the incredulity from my voice. “And what of the larger islands? They won’t complain that they only get one representative? Will everyone agree on the decisions that need to be made or does nothing get implemented until everyone agrees?”

“We can deal with these things,” Ranami said.

“Just because one Emperor has been succeeded by another doesn’t mean it’s time to throw out the whole process,” I said. “I want the same things you do – a better, fairer world. Give me a chance. I’m not my father.”

But they didn’t know that. I could make gestures, throw kindnesses their way, but they would be watching me, wary of the next move I might make.

I would never be enough. Just as I was never enough for my father.

For a moment, the hopelessness of it all swallowed me. Why was I even trying? Thrana, next to me, pressed her cold nose against my elbow. And then I remembered Numeen and his family, and his daughter’s bloody crane. I could be a better Emperor than my father, and I could unite us against what was to come. There was no one else.

They didn’t know me and they didn’t trust me. All my attempts at convincing them would just sound like begging. I had to show them I was worthy.

As I’d done with my father.

“Have you thought about the people this action will harm?” I said.

Both Phalue and Ranami blinked. Oh, they’d been so caught up in their ideals that they’d not thought through the consequences.