Brilliance (Circle of the Stars #4) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,42

than you while you carry the power of the Originals. You could destroy the world and everyone in it, including Merlin. Set yourself up as a goddess, be worshipped and adored by billions of people.”

I wrinkled my nose, raised my hand to stop her from adding anything else to the list. “First, destroying the world is a douche move more suited to Patrick. Second, other than living with my men, I don’t really care about anything else. And third, who in their right minds would ever decide to purposely become someone who is worshipped and adored?” I shuddered. Even the thought made my skin crawl.

Sophia smiled. She scooted to the edge of her seat, put her hand on her chest. “Hollyn Ladon, Star Mistress in her own right, and bonded mate to Clan Ladon, I pledge my allegiance to you. To Clan Ladon. It is said, it is witnessed, it is done.”

My mouth dropped open. I shifted my feet, intended to get up.

Grams put her hand on my shoulder, held me in place.

I reached up, gripped her hand. I opened my mouth. “Y—”

“Hollyn Ladon, Star Mistress in her own right, and bonded mate to Clan Ladon, I pledge my allegiance to you. To Clan Ladon. It is said, it is witnessed, it is done,” Garreth said before I could do anything more than flap my lips like a landed fish.

The rest of the Elders pledged themselves. Then their thunder did. And, sweet stars, was it thunderous hearing it in unison from thirty dragons.

My heart was on the verge of bursting. Never before—minus my men and grandmother—had anyone pledged to stand by me. That these powerful beasts did so of their own free will and desire helped heal some of the wounds the Villagers had pierced through my heart so many times.

I wasn’t trash. I wasn’t worthless. I had value and meaning and something to offer. And considering I’d essentially just told them all that being an all-powerful being was stupid, I was doubly amazed.

Tears burned at the backs of my eyes as the room went quiet again. I gripped Grams’ hand so hard, she could probably feel her bones rubbing together. But I couldn’t let go of her. Right now, she was the only thing keeping me anchored to the here and now.

Grumpy came over, leaned down, his hand held out. “Hollyn Ladon,” he said softly.

Looking up at him, I saw pride and awe in his gaze. I put my hand in his, let him pull me to my feet. I turned back to the room. Opened my mouth. Shut it when nothing came to mind.

Grumpy squeezed my shoulders. “Just be yourself. That’s who they want,” he whispered against my ear.

I nodded. Swallowed. “Thank you.” Laying a hand over my heart, I said the only thing that came to mind. “I’ll try really hard to blast Merlin’s ass into a million pieces.”

The room exploded in cheers and shouts of victory.

Man, these were my people.

Chapter 20 – Toven

My smile was huge as I watched this group of people give my girl the love and acceptance she should have received as a child. For this alone, I would be grateful to them. Even had we not had alliance, I would have come to their aid had they needed it.

Once the laughter died down, Hols took her seat at her grams’ feet once again. She curled her knees up, wrapped her arms around them, and settled her chin on her arms. “I just wish there was something someone could tell me about any weaknesses Merlin might have. I’m not really looking forward to going into another fight with him with just my moxie.”

My heart froze and my soul jolted. There was no way we could let her go into this final battle all by herself. I wouldn’t stand the waiting or the loss. If she didn’t win, I was going to follow her into whatever came after this stupid life.

Ari and Hollyn both startled.

“Someone’s coming,” Hols said.

The room went into battle mode in a moment. Everyone had weapons or some kind of fighting stance prepared. We waited with bated breath for the someone to show up.

Tag pulled both Ari and Hols behind him, forced them to get into the middle of what could only be termed a kill circle. Grandmother and granddaughter rolled their eyes but didn’t put up a fight. I figured that was probably for Tag’s benefit than anything else.

The room lit up as if we housed the sun. Just as