My breaths came out shallow and sporadic as Gisiroth’s hawkish eyes inspected the sapling. I looked at Rylan, who wore the same nervousness.

“It looks like any other plant,” Gisiroth said.

“It’s not,” I replied. “It’s resistant to heat. So when the high summers come, I’m hoping it won’t shrivel up as easily, and it’ll be able to produce a healthy crop.”

“You’re hoping?”

Ah, that was the wrong word choice. “I’m certain.” I wasn’t quite. We only knew the plants could withstand fire. We needed more time for experiments. For something involving harvests and agriculture, a year, or even two, of tests and results were necessary. One week was a ridiculously short time span to come up with a proper solution.

Gisiroth summoned fire from his hands. He put it to the plant, and it didn’t burn. “Interesting. How did you manage this?”

“Soul magic.” I looked at the princes. “With their help. Apparently, when we cast spells together, they’re more effective. This spell wouldn’t have worked if I’d done it alone.”

“So this isn’t a lone achievement on your part. You needed help.”

Gaius said, “Sera came up with most of the ideas.”

“Maybe you would have, too, if given the time. I’m not sure I’m convinced.”

I felt my heart sinking. “Your Majesty—”

“I’ll allow you entry back into the council,” Gisiroth said.

The news hovered in my mind for a second. It took a while for me to accept it. Then it was like a bright light that shone through me, relief and happiness combined. “Thank you—”

“You will continue to stay at the outbuilding.” He looked at his sons. “And the lot of you should stop spending time with her.”

“What?” I said, unable to hold my tongue. This sounded just as bad. I needed them by my side. Darkness and doubt flickered over Rylan’s face. He was still being held back by his father’s decrees.

Kael stepped forward. “Father, please—”

“Unless you can convince me otherwise? Sera Cadriel?”

I bit my inner cheek, letting my mind work. “What if I win the vote?” I’d wanted to give running for it another try, but this upped my resolve. I hadn’t expected or hoped to win.

Gisiroth cocked a brow. “You wish to convince this entire gathering—who, from the looks of it, are afraid of you—to give you this important position?”

“Yes.”

He laughed. It was a hearty laugh. One I didn’t expect from a king. “I don’t know whether to think you are a fool, brave, or amusing. Feel free to win their hearts. I highly doubt you can.”

“I will do my best, Your Majesty.” I bowed as deeply as I could as a show of respect. My blood boiled with fear—fear of the judgment I was about to face, and my own future.

I hugged the potted plant to my chest. I was counting on the new species of crop to help convince the others, but maybe that wouldn’t be enough for the council members to see past the curse. Maybe it was still too easy for them to push the blame for the droughts and their problems on me. Just like my parents liked to push the blame for their problems on me.

We climbed down from where Gisiroth and Rylan stood, and waited for the other speeches to end. What if this turned out worse than expected?

Kael said, “The leaving for Gaean’s Pit suggestion is starting to sound increasingly convincing.”

Gaius shook his head. “I still have to be here for Rylan.”

“Not all the time. Not everything is hopeless.”

Part of me still wanted to stay on the council. I’d poured so much of my heart and soul into it. I had spent my entire youth trying to further its causes.

“The speech will be peachy,” Frederick said. “What’s the worst that could happen? Everybody already hates you.”

“Thanks for encouragement,” I said dryly.

We waited until the rest of the candidates were done with their speeches. Mei was the last, and hers sounded well-rehearsed. Nothing out of the ordinary. The council members made to leave for a short break. Gisiroth hadn’t informed them of me rejoining the election.

“Better hurry,” Frederick said. “Or they’ll all be gone.”

I picked myself up and scampered to the podium, clutching the sapling and bundle of seeds tightly.

I stood in front of everyone and cleared my throat. The chatters turned to hushed whispers.

Before I could begin, Tindyll rushed toward me. “Sera! You can’t be here.”

“I was given permission by the king.”

“Were you? I heard nothing of that. You’re supposed to be leaving this evening.”

“The king has allowed my re-entry into the council.”

Tindyll paled and drew back. “That can’t be right. We were certain you’d be gone by the morrow.”

“Please, Tindyll.”

She studied me for a long moment, and just when I thought she would agree, she raised a hand and shouted, “Guards!”

I shot my gaze at Gisiroth, hoping for an explanation, but the king was still perched at his safe location, flashing me an amused smile. He wasn’t going to help.

“Tindyll, please,” I said. “Hear me out—”

“I warned you not to come back here.”

Kael, Gaius, and Micah were on their feet and rushing toward me. If they caused a scene, that would badly affect impressions. This was going bad, real fast.

“I’ve made a breakthrough with soul magic. We’ve been experimen—”

“I don’t want to hear anything from you. You are a sign of the droughts, and it is laughable to think that you can solve it.”

“Do you truly think that?” What had the rumors grown to?

Guards from all sides were rushing in our direction. If only King Gisiroth spoke for me…

But he wouldn’t do that, would he? Why should he risk his image for me?

It wasn’t King Gisiroth, Kael, Gaius, or Micah who came to my rescue, but Rylan.

He came down from the gallery, his black wings spread behind him. The entire council was silent as they watched the crown prince. He approached Tindyll and me. “Let Sera speak to the council.”

Tindyll’s mouth fell open. “Prince Rylan, you can’t defend a girl like her.”

“And what kind of girl is she?”

The guards halted around the steps, wary of the crown prince.

Tindyll pressed her lips into a thin line. “Destructive and deceitful. She’s been hiding her dangerous powers from the council for years.”

“She had reason to do so, seeing the way everyone treated her after the truth was revealed.” His face hardened for a second, then he added, “Including me.”

“My prince, you have to understand the concerns of your people. The crop failures in the Jura region have been causing prices of food to skyrocket. People need an explanation. They’re worried for their families, and the Gavrils—”

“The Gavrils have been spreading lies. Is the explanation for the droughts Sera? Or is she simply a scapegoat for superstitions about the weather patterns?”

“Why are you protecting her?”

“Because…” He looked at me, then back at Tindyll. “I’ve heard of her accomplishments. Many straight from your lips. A lot of improvements in recent years from agriculture have come from Sera herself. You yourself appointed her as a candidate.”

Hearing Rylan speak for me was making my heart slam against my ribcage. He was making a display of this. All eyes in the council fell on him. He’d come out to defend me, despite his fears of Gisiroth and how my presence could affect his family.

“Yes,” Tindyll said. “But that was before the mishap with Mei.”

“Was she any different after? Sera had her powers before, and only when Mei made that showing did the court decide to paint her as a villain. Are you so blinded by your prejudice that you would send off one of your most talented members?”

Tindyll had no response for that.

“Let her speak,” Rylan said, in his commanding voice. It sent a tremor through me. “She hasn’t had a chance to explain herself to the council. Surely, after her years of service, she deserves that, at least?”

“If you insist, Your Highness,” Tindyll replied, stepping away.

I flashed Rylan a wide grin, and he returned it. Doubt plagued his expression, however. He had just put his family’s reputation on the line for my sake, and I could see how he was second-guessing himself.

I peered up at Gisiroth, wanting to weigh his response. He looked down at Rylan with sheer disappointment. Rylan saw it too, and that seemed to shake him.

“Thank you,” I said to him.

“You deserve this chance,” he replied. “Sorry I didn’t come to my senses sooner. Go convince those stubborn people, and prove me right.”

I nodded before approaching the podium.

Hushed whispers scattered through the crowd. I sensed their beady eyes on my skin. They’d heard the exchange between Rylan and Tindyll loud and clear.

I started, trying to ignore the ringing in my ears. “Most, if not all of you, know of my powers. Anyone here who touches me will feel unimaginable pain. It’s not something I can control, nor something I want. I don’t know what rumors Vancel Gavril has been spreading about me, but do know that whatever I did to Mei was not out of malice, but an accident. I’ve been living amongst dragon-kind with this curse since I was nine. It’s been a plague in my life. I can’t hug or even touch my own parents without hurting them, and I think that made them hate me, too.

“I don’t wish to paint myself as a victim, but perhaps as someone who wants to do good despite the odds. I still want to serve this council, even after recent events. I want to help the Council of Intelligence achieve new heights, even if my powers make me something to fear. It was my responsibility to keep myself covered, so no one feels pain should they touch me, and I failed at that. For that, I ask for your forgiveness.”

None of the council members were smiling. They still looked at me cautiously. I tried to not let that faze me. Frederick stood amongst the crowd. He waved at me, being encouraging.

I continued, placing the potted sapling onto the podium. “For that failure, I decided I needed to prove myself to all of you in another way to regain your trust. I’ve spent countless sleepless nights on this. A new species of plant.”

Murmurs traveled through the crowd.

I saw that as a positive sign. “This sapling is resistant to fire.” I lit a match and placed it next to the leaves. As planned, it didn’t burn. “It’s heat-resistant, which makes it less likely to wilt and shrivel during the longer high summers. With this, crops will not fail, and livestock will be fed. We have only done this through soul magic, with one plant, but we can attempt spells with many more. People are blaming me for the longer high summers, but I’m as affected by them as you are. I have a family, and have absolutely no control over what happens with the summers, as silly as that sounds. I want it to end, the same way all of you do. And I want to work with the members of the council to solve this predicament that is plaguing our nation. Please give me another chance to contribute, and not be sent away to somewhere where I’ll be unable to.”

And that was it. My final plea. I had nothing to say after that. I breathed in a deep sigh. After this, I had to leave the results to fate. I realized I never had a chance to speak after that ball, where Vancel tarnished my reputation, and I was thankful I’d finally had the opportunity to.

There was something different in the eyes of my ex-peers as I climbed down the steps to join Frederick, Kael, Gaius, and Micah. Some of the judgement in their gazes had disappeared, and some respect I had owned, before everything started going wrong, had returned.

I searched for Rylan, feeling gratitude. He had flown back up to the gallery to join King Gisiroth.

“That was a good speech,” Gaius said to me.

“I didn’t stutter,” I replied, not knowing if he was being patronizing.

“Can’t say the same for two of the candidates. I couldn’t understand a word they were saying.”

Some servants dragged a long table to the platform. They arranged five boxes, each of them with a name on them, mine included. Everyone had been given a slip of paper to write their votes on. Most of the council shuffled out into the courtyard, before coming back in after refreshments and some time to think about their choices. The voting process then started, and council members began to make their picks.

“Do you think Sera’s going to win?” Frederick asked. “I think she was the most articulate.”

“Of course she will,” Kael said, crossing his arms and resting his back against the wall.

“Does that mean I’m going to lose my two silvers?”

“You and me both.”

I spun to Kael. “Wait, you actually bet against me?”

Kael chuckled. “I’m just kidding, as usual.”

“Something tells me you aren’t.”

His eyes twinkled, and then I didn’t know what to think.

A smile quirked up Micah’s lips. “I saw him toss in one gold coin for Mei.”

“A gold coin!”

“It’s not that much,” Kael whined.

“You are so spoiled,” I said.

“I bet on you, Sera,” Gaius said. “Two.”

“Guys. I don’t condone gambling! That money would be much better spent on an orphanage or something.”

Gaius flashed me a look that reminded me a little of a puppy dog. “I was trying to show my support. I thought that would please you.”

“It… does… maybe? It’s frivolous spending, regardless.”

Half an hour crept by, then it was time for the results to be read. The elders tallied the votes, before Tindyll walked up to the podium, holding the result in her hand.

“I thank all the candidates for the efforts you’ve put in to convince us of your abilities. Before I announce who the new secretary will be, I’ll have to say that whatever the results, we’re all winners.”

It sounded trite and rehearsed. I doubted she thought that of me.

She peeled open the envelope and read from the card.

Time stilled.

“Mei Gavril from commerce. She will be our next chair secretary of the Council of Intelligence, and will come under my tutelage.”

“Yes!” Frederick said from beside me. “I get two extra—” His eyes caught mine. “I mean no. That’s bad. Very bad. Terrible news. I’m so sorry for your loss, Sera.”

Kael made a whistling sound.

Gaius flicked Kael’s temple. “Can you please be a little more sensitive?”

“Ow!” Kael rubbed his head. “I could treat all of you to dinner at the Dynfowl Eatery for a whole month with that money.”

Gaius frowned. “Is the pot really that huge?”

“With your donation.” Kael snickered.

“Ass.”

Kael looked at me. “Sorry about that, Sera.”

A quivering started in my chest. “Gisiroth doesn’t want you all to stay.” I didn’t care for the position anymore. Part of me was disappointed, because I had worked so hard for it, but most of all, I was scared that I’d lose them.

Micah rubbed my head and kissed me on my temple. “After what Rylan did? Everyone knows we’re on your side. I don’t think staying away is going to do anything anymore.”

“So… it’ll be fine?” I asked, hating how weak I sounded.

“My pocket won’t be,” Gael said, scowling.

“But we’ll still be together,” I said.

“I’m sorry you didn’t win,” Micah said. “I know how badly you wanted it.”

I thought I’d feel sorry for myself, but then it didn’t matter to me anymore. I was just relieved that the princes had decided to stay despite Gisiroth’s orders, and that they weren’t going to get torn from me. I could still be with them.

Rylan flew down from the gallery, joining us. He looked at me. “Hi.”

“Hi,” I replied, grinning like a fool.

“Sorry about the vote. You almost won. Two more and you would have beat Mei.”

“What?” I looked at the crowd. Many peered at me, but no longer with the hatred they bore when I first walked in.

“You did good.”

“She almost made me lose money,” Kael said.

“But we won anyway,” Frederick replied.

They shared a sneaky high five, which made me to want to punch them.

Rylan opened his arms, inviting me into them. “Forgive me?”

A bubbling of happiness started in my chest. I rushed up to him, throwing myself at him, letting his hard body surround me, soaking in his scent. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “Yeah.” The excitement sent giddiness spiraling through my entire being.

And then he lifted my chin and kissed me.

Right there, in front of everyone, not caring for the whispers or people judging us. I felt myself glowing with joy and brimming with excitement, almost as if I was drunk.

“What about Gisiroth?” I asked him, my lips still wet and a little swollen. I was worried the king would still be able to tear this away, to stop Rylan from coming back somehow.

“He’s not happy about it. But I think that the results will convince him that us hanging out with you isn’t the worst thing for our reputations.”

I craned my neck to look at the king and saw that he’d already left. The windows of the gallery were open, and light streamed in, making the place brighter.

“But you’re always worried about your fa—”

“It’s all right.”

“I’m glad, big brother,” Gaius said, smiling at Rylan. “You always let Father’s opinions get to you too much.”

“And the Gavrils?” I asked.

“They’re going to give us a rougher time,” Rylan said, sighing. “Vancel and his conniving ways. I’m sure you’ll be able to think up something for us, however.”

I nodded. “I will.” I didn’t mind that.

Tindyll came up to us, wearing a heavy expression. I mused over whether she’d give me an apology, but I doubted I’d be that lucky. She regarded me with narrowed eyes. She still couldn’t see past the hatred and blame, even though I’d had a working relationship with her for so long. Perhaps my secrets had made her feel betrayed. “Congratulations on your return,” Tindyll said, flicking her gaze between all six of us. “And apologies for your loss.”

“What do you want?” I asked her.

“I understand that you will be working with us again. The king spoke with me, and I raised some of my concerns. You’re still to stay at your outbuilding, so as to not pose a threat to the other members in the dorm.”

This was getting tiring. “So be it—”

“Sera’s staying with us,” Rylan said, wrapping an arm around me. “There’s no need to concern yourself with such trivialities.”

Tindyll’s eyes widened. “But—” She sucked in a breath. “I thought to let you know, that’s all. Be punctual tomorrow if you’re resuming work. We will be throwing a celebration for Mei.”

Mei was accepting flowers and praise from everyone else. I felt happy for her. I’d seen her working hard for this win. But she had pushed me to my wits’ end. I supposed I’d become stronger because of that, and in a way, maybe I should be grateful?

Yeah, that was going too far.

Rylan took my hand, and Micah took the other. “Let’s go fetch your things,” Rylan said.

I beamed at him. “Let’s.”

We strode out of the council together.

I saw a rock in front of Gaius after we stepped out. I knew what was going to happen.

I made to kick it out of Gaius’s way, but I wasn’t exactly the most dexterous person either, and instead of tripping over the rock, he tripped over my foot, sprawling toward me.

Rylan ducked to catch me, but Gaius slumped onto us. We fell, and that pushed Micah toward the ground as well, and we all came crashing down, with me on top, followed by Rylan, then Micah, then Gaius.

Gaius groaned. “My back. Why are you all so heavy? You guys have been eating too much.”

I was staring straight at Rylan, and he grinned up at me. I ran a hand down his braid then kissed his nose.

“Can you get off?” Micah asked.

Kael lay down next to the four of us. “Why wasn’t I invited?”

“Okay,” Frederick said. “This is getting awkward. Should I even be here?”

I started laughing, then Rylan and Kael did too. Micah and Gaius joined in, and I heard a tentative half-snort, half-laugh from Frederick.

We probably looked like a bunch of fools, but who cared what people thought?

I felt like the happiest fool in all of Constanria.