“Your concerns are noted,” Casteel observed. “But as you suspected, they will not delay this.”

The acidic burst of irritation rose from Lord Gregori. He started to step back.

“What are your concerns?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Lord Gregori’s gaze skipped to me. His features showed none of the wariness he felt. “We are on the brink of war, and some of us feel that this is not the time to transfer power.”

Anxiety hummed in my chest as I studied him. A year ago, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to find the courage to ask such a question. Six months ago, I might’ve accepted that what I knew was only half the answer. Today, I didn’t. “And that is all?”

Lord Gregori stared back at me, his spine rigid. “No. We do not know you,” he stated coolly. “You may share the blood of the gods—”

“She is a deity,” Valyn corrected sternly, surprising me. “Descended from the King of Gods, and is Malec’s child. She is not one who simply shares the blood of the gods. You know that.”

My eyes grew wide.

Pink spotted Lord Gregori’s cheeks. “My apologies,” he murmured. “You are a deity, but you are still a foreigner to our lands.”

“And one raised by the enemy as the Maiden?” I finished for him, wondering if it was too much of a leap to consider that he may sympathize with the Unseen, possibly even support them. “Our enemies are the same, Lord Gregori, as are our loyalties. I hope you give me a chance to prove that to be true.”

Approval flickered through Casteel’s father, and I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t feel good.

“I pray to the gods that you do.” Lord Gregori bowed stiffly before stepping back into the shadows.

“Anyone else feel the need to share their opinion?” Casteel asked. There was no movement from the alcoves, but obviously, others shared Lord Gregori’s concerns. “Good.” Casteel smiled tightly. “Because there is much we need to discuss with the Council.”

“They are eager to hear what you must share,” Eloana replied. “We can relinquish the crowns now, and while you meet with the Council, we will send word to the people throughout Evaemon that their new King and Queen will greet them,” she said, turning and extending a hand to the tall doors beyond the statue of Nyktos. “From the balconies of the Temple of Nyktos.”

A shiver skated over my skin as I stared at the smooth, reflective black stone of the floor, a little unnerved to realize that I stood in his Temple. Swallowing, I looked up. “All of this can be done today? The exchange of power? Speaking with the Council and then greeting the people?”

“Yes,” Eloana confirmed.

Casteel squeezed my hand. “Then let’s do this.”

A fondness settled in his mother’s features as she motioned for us to join them. “Come. You should not stand below us but before us.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Casteel and I climbed the short set of steps. What happened next was surreal. My heart slowed and calmed. The faint tremor faded as the hum in my chest spread throughout my body, seeming to wash away and replace the nervousness with a keen sense of rightness. I looked down at the hand that held Casteel’s, half-expecting to find that it was glowing, but my skin appeared normal.