The celebration after the ceremony lasted three days, but by the fourth morning, reality reasserted itself with a vengeance.
I woke to Morgan standing at the foot of my bed, fully dressed and looking far too alert for six AM.
"We have a situation," she said without preamble. "Actually, we have seven situations, but one is time-sensitive."
I groaned, careful not to wake Caden and Ezra. "Can't situations wait until after coffee?"
"This one involves the Southern territories. They're requesting Silverpaw mediation in a succession dispute. If we don't respond within twenty-four hours, it goes to the Continental Council by default."
That woke me up. "Why are Southern territories asking us for help? We have no jurisdiction there."
"We didn't. But the restoration ceremony changed things. You
