Suns and Shadows

Fall to Rise

Ebony POV

I leave Councillor Hall with a feeling of triumph. In the corner of my eye, I see the Amenis go into her car in a fit of snobbery and embarrassment. I don't regret saying that that makes me happy. But it makes Joshua happier.

He's grinning wider than I've ever seen him grin before. "I think you just made my day."

I blush. "I didn't do it for you. I did it for Saiya. They might've found out about...her." I mutter.

Joshua nods. "I know."

"I want to see them," I say suddenly. "I want to make sure they're alright and that Saiya is recovering like you said she would."

He looks away and hangs his head. "You don't know?"

"What do you mean I don't know? Is she alright? Is my family okay? She's not-she can't be-" I choke up and my throat refuses to say the word, even think of the possibility. She's fine, she's fine, she's fine.

"No, it's not that." He sighs. "Do you remember the marketplace and how they had those screens? Well, they do replays. You spoke, your words changed the entire meeting. Everyone will know your face."

The blood and the triumph drain from me. "But the people I grew up with they'll recognize me."

Joshua shakes his head. "No. You look like Rose Whitlow. I barely recognized you. Not with the new haircut and the Sun mark. The only one who will know you I think would be your mother."

I put my head in my hands. "I have to see her again." My voice cracks. "Joshua, she'll be so mad. I have to explain."

" I'm still High Commander. Your family is welcome to live at the Dark House. We have plenty of room and-"

I cut him off by enveloping him in a tight hug. "Thank you," I whisper into his ear, reminding me of the first thing he whispered to me.  Of waking up into a dark hole, thinking I was about to die. His face wouldn't be such a terrible last thing to see. 

Joshua nods. "If I hadn't been able to see my father when he was sick. I-I'm not sure what I would've done."

"He was a Councillor when he was sick. You had to make sure he was well enough to rule the entire country." I pull away from him. I let out a short laugh and shake my head at him. "You're incredible, Sun boy."

"Thank you, princess." He teases.

For the first time in my life, I don't get angry. I just smile.

***

"And now my face is going to be all over," I add as I finish recounting what happened at the meeting to Karpov and Zillah. Zillah listens intently her eyes bearing right into my own, strawberry hair especially red, like fire.

We're sitting in the library by the same holographic table Joshua had used earlier.

Karpov listens with just as much attention even jotting down notes as I talk. "You definitely messed up. Jay will be adamant over this."

Zillah waves her hand in Karpov's face. "Who cares? Everyone knows Jay is just angry he's not High Commander of the Inferno. No one listens to him anymore."

Karpov looks at her and opens his mouth to argue, then doesn't and grumbles something about Jay being more influential than we thought. "But, in my defense," I add. "I did make it so Shadows won't be imprisoned for who they are. I'm sure more Lawkeepers would make our job harder."

He looks at the ceiling. "Yes and I think you did the right thing, but there are many people who will only look at the cons, not the pros. Many people just want to see you taken down."

"Why, though?" I demand. "All I ever did was try to help."

"We know that Ebony, but it's not about you. It's about Josh. He's been controversial, to say the least. The Suns are the ones who put us here, how is a Sun going to get us out? And he's a Lightbook. Not everyone here knows like you do or..." Zillah shakes her head. "We have to keep Joshua up there. He's our only hope now."

Karpov moves towards the bright sunny window that showcases the courtyard below. "But the question is why he's doing it. Why would an all-powerful Sun want to help us? He has everything he could ever want."

"I think it's guilt," I say, quietly. "He doesn't want to live on the top unless everyone is. Because he knows that regardless of what power you have-you're still a person."

Karpov nods. "But how far will he go for his beliefs?"

Hello again, it's me, Lily. Here to remind you that if you've made it this far to please please please vote and comment! Everyone counts and even the little gestures are greatly appreciated. Thank you all for nearly 400 reads ❤❤❤!! Love you all!!!