Chapter17: You've Got to Be Kidding Me

Maerilee I walk back to the throne room with Brook by my side, his hand warm and steady in mine. The feel of his fingers intertwined with mine brings a strange mix of comfort and tension. Comfort, because despite everything, having him here feels right. But tension too, because I know what’s waiting for us inside that room. More questions, more debates, and undoubtedly, more resistance. As we approach the doors, I can already hear the raised voices, the overlapping arguments filling the air like a storm about to break. My stomach tightens, but I push it down, reminding myself of what I’ve just discovered. Brook is my Third. It’s impossible, absurd even, but it’s true. I can feel it in every fiber of my being. I push open the doors, and the noise hits me like a wall. Many of the council members are still seated, deep in discussion, while my parents, River, and his parents are locked in their own heated debate. The moment we step into the room, all eyes turn to us. The sudden silence is