Trial day. Noon.
Mara braided my hair tight again. No dress. She wanted me to wear white, Council color. I said black.
Black pants, black shirt, black boots. Same as North funeral. Armor.
Caelan waits in hall. No crown. Black shirt too, sleeves rolled to elbows. He looks tired. He didn't sleep again after Theo came. I heard his chair creak all night outside my door even though he said he would stay on first floor. Liar. Good liar.
"Ready?" he asks.
"No," I say. Honest. "But let's go anyway."
He nods. Holds out hand. Not to hold. To show he is here.
I take it. One squeeze. Let go. No sparks this time. We both breathe.
Council Hall is full.
Bigger than I thought. Stone circle in middle, like arena, with high seats around in circle, twelve seats for Elders, then hundreds of seats for
