Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(64)
“Never go to bed angry,” a female tarnished says.
“Tell him exactly what you're feeling and thinking, Katherine,” a male tarnished says. “Us men can be dull-witted when it comes to guessing. You need to spell it out for us.”
Katherine's grin grows at this as she gives him a nod.
Silence follows.
“Doe anyone else have any words to add?” the standing tarnished asks.
No one speaks up.
“Well then, as mother of the groom,” there are several gasps from the tarnished, “I think it’s only fitting I do so.”
Katherine's grin beams even brighter as she looks at her future mother-in-law.
“Cherish each other,” the tarnished woman continues. “No matter what's to come, take care of one another and value each moment you have together. Have you any words for each other?”
Katherine leans forward and whispers something in Charles’s ear. He kisses her on the cheek and the replies in a voice lower than we can hear. The two look so perfect together, happy and wonderful as they share words meant only for them.
Jack grabs my hand. I glance up at him, surprise reverberating through me. Who knew such a tough guy could be a romantic? I lean toward him, resting my head on his shoulder as the ceremony continues. Peace settles through me, more than I've felt in the years since I've come to Chardonia. I'm surprised to realize, I'm content.
“May we all remember this day,” the woman says, “the love of this couple and strive to spread its warmth throughout all of Chardonia.”
The thought strengthens me, making me want to do what she says. To share this bright light burning inside me. To help others see like Jack has seen. We may be making war with the Grand Chancellor, but we're bringing kindness and love to everyone else. Like all those we've saved from power plants, hunger, and torture.
We've all done much more than we thought we could.
Chapter Fifty
The wedding is a memory I will always cherish, but we can't linger on it. There's a war to plan.
“I think we're ready,” I say to the core group of leaders. “We need to attack now that we've weakened key players and places.”
“Do you really think we can win this?” Annabelle asks.
“Maybe,” Theodore says. “If we do it right.”
“We will win,” I say, hope a bright flame inside me.
“She's right,” Jack says. “I think now would be the best time to attack the Grand Chancellor's home.”
“We need to attack with everything we have.”
“Don't you think it's a little dangerous to be putting everything we have into this one battle? If we lose—” Bethany says.
“We won't lose,” Chadwick says. “Not if we put everything we have into it.”
Serena replies, “But if we do, there's more than just us at stake.”
I put an arm around her. “Which is why we have to win.”
“And we can win,” Tawny says. “It won't be easy, but we can do it. We will bring down the Grand Chancellor.”
“I'm scared,” Bethany says.
I move to her side and slip my arm around her like I just did to Serena. “I know. I am too. I think we all are. But this is something we can take on. Something we're past ready to do. We can't let the Grand Chancellor go on ruling the country the way he has been.”
She lets out a shaky breath and nods.
“She's right,” Jack says. “We can win this if everyone is behind us. We can finally put an end to the Grand Chancellor's tyranny.”
“How do we win?” Annabelle, sounding resigned.
“Let me go over the plan,” I reply, eager to finally put it in the works.
***
“Are you ready for this?” I ask Serena, Cynthia, Tawny, and Bethany.
Bethany's eyes are wide as if she's still scared, but she nods. It's just as well. I'm scared, too.
“More than ready,” Cynthia says.
“Honestly,” Serena says. “I'm frightened. It's going to be a dangerous job, but it needs to be done.”
“Agreed.” I try not to bite my nails. It's a habit I've never gotten into, and I'm not about to start now.
“I'm past ready,” Tawny says. “If my people knew how bad this was, they'd be here at our side. At least more than are already here.”
“Your people?” Serena questions.
“She means our people.” I give Tawny a look. “The Envadi. Just think how wonderful it would be to see the faces of those with the Grand Chancellor if a bunch of barbarians were joining you in the attack.”
“That would scare them good.” Serena smiles. “I remember how scared I was the first time I saw Zade.” Her grin fades.
“We'll get to him,” I say. “We'll get there, and he'll be just as safe as can be. Only bored out of his mind from sitting around so long and thrilled to see us.”
She nods, but the doubt in her eyes matches the doubt in my heart. I don't know that the Grand Chancellor would really just let him sit around. But I've learned more about healing than I used to know. As soon as I can, I'll heal him up as best I can. If we can get him good enough to go home, we'll buy him the best healers in Envado. I only hope his injuries aren’t too severe. I hold onto that thought. The Grand Chancellor wanted to show off his death at the next tournament. He has to have left him in good enough shape to be there.