Smoke Rising: Book III

Chapter Sixty

Chapter Sixty

Emery

On the stage that I once performed for the last Chancellor, there are a series of people lined up for the inauguration. Blue has officially been elected president, and as she shakes the hands of people I recognize, and people I don't, I know that what I'm witnessing is history in the making.

Though she's only thirty years old, I know Blue will make a good president. She's been running an underground country since she was a teenager, and I can't think of anyone better suited for the job.

But she's not the only one being sworn into office today. Evelyn, Bug, Beecham, and Jahzara are all also among the people being sworn in on the council, so that every decision will be voted on between the five of them; that way when the next generation inherits the country we build, no one person will ever hold too much power like the Chancellor's did.

I'm given several awards and each of them say something to me in their speeches after accepting their role and swearing to do what's best for the people. Although their words mean a lot, I can't help but wait to get out of here.

I don't want to be the center of attention anymore. Although Blue tried to convince me to join the council, I refused. I had gotten used to the idea of being Queen, but I never truly wanted it. I don't think I can survive anyone else following me into danger.

After everything I've done, everything I've been through, and everyone I've lost; I just want to live in peace with Ella and Eli in Shadow Valley.

Although Ella has been busy these days between her boyfriend and making new Casters, she always makes time for family dinner. Even if she's distracted by the grateful refugees.

As we sit at the dinner table in the crypts, every few minutes a group of them come up thanking her and bringing her gifts. She refuses them every time, but with grace and modesty.

I smile at her, her dark hair braided down her back. "You were born for this," I say to her, and she rolls her eyes.

"More like I died for this."

The jab at my mistakes doesn't hurt as much as it used to. But I know she's grateful for everything I've done, including almost killing her. I gave her something she always wanted, the power to help others. Even if it isn't exactly how she wanted to do it.

Eli arrives at the mouth of the room, accompanied by Huxley, and someone else.

Mateo.

He steps up behind Eli, scanning the room until his eyes find me.

He's been gone in Sector Seventeen and out on missions to rescue any stranded Casters in Europe and Africa, along with Nialah and Edwin. They've made it their life's work.

As he approaches, I give Ella's shoulder a gentle squeeze and stand, meeting him half-way through the room. With one look at Eli, I know he is okay with whatever I need to do next.

"Hey, Princess," he pulls me into his arms, giving me a big hug. I welcome the comfort, my body still weak and fragile from the day I killed the Chancellor, despite that having been almost a month ago. "Eli told me you refused the crown," he smiles. "For some reason I never really could picture you a leader of a country. You're too violent."

I shake my head, laughing. "You're probably right about that. Though, I don't think there's a whole lot left I need to fight for." I turn, gazing at the Shadow Casters, the Energy Casters, the elemental Casters, and the humans all sitting down at the same table, eating the same food and being together as if there were no differences between them.

"That's not true," he says, throwing an arm over my shoulders. "We have this to fight for. But you don't need your fists to do it. You just need to be here."

He's right. The only fight left is to keep this place a reality, and the only way to do that is to be here, every single one of us, working together and living peacefully.

I turn to him and grab his hand, pulling him back the way he came, out of the crypt. We walk to the river and when we reach the edge, I kick off my sandals and dip my toes in. The summer air has just begun to pick up the last few days, making the water refreshing.

"You bring me here to break up with me?" He jokes, sticking his feet in next to mine, our shoulders brushing against each other.

"Shut up," I say, elbowing him gently. "You know I love you."

Suddenly, his face grows serious and sad. "But you love him more." He sighs. "You know he warned me."

A lump forms in my throat, and I try to swallow it before speaking again. "I love you differently... You will always have a special place in my heart, and my life. But you are my best friend Mateo. And you deserve to find someone right for you. That person just isn't me."

He looks over his shoulder and gazes down at me. "It was... In the other world."

I close my eyes, and rest my head on his shoulder. "Maybe, in a different world."

"Sometimes I wish I could go back."

I already know I'm not going to like the next words that come out of his mouth.

"Sometimes I want you to send me back."

"I can't, Mateo."

"You wouldn't be killing me. You'd be sending me to another world."

"I don't have any magic."

He falls silent.

I look up at him again, hating the pity in his eyes. "I haven't been able to use it since I killed... him."

He closes his eyes and sighs, pulling me into a hug again. "I'm so sorry kid."

"See," I say into his chest. "I need you as my friend."

"Well, if you ever want to get drunk with your friend in a cave again, just let me know."

I throw my elbow into his ribs, and he buckles back, over exaggerating the pain.

Ella finds us and sits down next to me. "Stop abusing Mateo," she demands, and we all laugh, sharing a moment that I never want to forget.

The first moment I've truly felt happy in a long, long time.