Ashen Rise

"SO HOW does it feel?"

Andorra sat at the head of the table, the same place she sat when she was prattling on about wedding cakes to a royal council that had not cared. Now, she sat there with her crown on her head, staring at the people who now sat around the table.

Her new council, if they would accept.

"It feels... weird." Andorra spread her hands out, running them along the table, feeling a little out of her element, if she was being honest. It had only been a few hours since she had taken the throne and had spoken with Coronomous, yet she felt different. Powerful.

She looked at her friends sitting in the chairs around her. Coralia sat next to her, a bundle of excitement since she had seen her last. Too long, Andorra thought to herself. It had been far too long since she had seen her friends.

Next to Coralia sat Eve, who was eyeing Nohx with a deadpan expression, distrust settling on her features. Then sat Clini and Mar, both whispering to themselves in an excited manner, a little bit of squealing now and again.

Across from her at the other head of the table was Nohx, his face flat and expressionless, as always. He was watching Andorra, his eyes tracking her nervous movements. On the other side of Nohx sat Win, who was nearly bouncing with energy. She was grinning at Andorra like she knew exactly what her Queen was about to ask.

The last two guests Andorra had invited were Hans and Bort. Both were looking more nervous than the meeting deserved, but not surprising given how long it had been since Andorra had spoken to Coralia's best friends.

Andorra took a deep breath. Oberon and Callum stood behind her, the picture perfect guards who had eyes on the room, although both were feeling more at ease than they had in weeks. Having everyone there in the same room made it easy.

"I've asked you all here today for a reason." Andorra held Nohx's gaze, gathering her courage. These are your friends, she reminded herself. "I had to pardon my Royal Council due to differences in opinions over my leadership. I have asked you all here today because I would like to officially extend the offer for you to be my Royal Council. I trust all of you, and just like in Hornwell, we need to stick together. If you want to join me in my reign over Anlithamy, please stand."

Win was the first to stand, her grin infectious. "It would be my honor," she said, bowing her head. As soon as the words left Win's lips, the others around the table stood as well, excitement crackling through the room.

Eve was the last one seated. Even after Bort and Hans hesitated for a good thirty seconds, Eve still sat, looking down at her fingernails. She looked around at the others, then at Andorra. Her mouth seemed to flatten.

"This isn't a party. Or a get together. Being on the Royal Council is serious." Her voice was soft, gentle even, but firm. "I don't think you all understand what's being asked of you."

Coralia frowned. "Of course we know. And it doesn't matter what the responsibility is. Would you rather be a shadow of your parents for the rest of your life? Most of us understand exactly what is at stake for us back home, and I'm done working in my mom's shop. And I'm done just being a royal child. I want to make a difference with Andy."

Clini's laugh was a little awkward. "My mom definitely won't allow me to go back home after I ran away. So like, this is better than nothing. Besides, I don't want to live in the Spring Court where they'll definitely go to war over this."

Eve's mouth twitched. "We could be put in dangerous situations."

"Eve, I asked you here because I trust you. And I really value your input. But please don't feel like you need to do this." Andorra's voice was just as soft as Eve's. "I'm not guilting you into this, I swear."