Page 23 of Microburst

“Of course, Your Majesty,” he said as he ground his jaw.

“Can you be useful to Cosmo?” I asked, somewhat honestly, but also to poke him. But I was pleasantly surprised when he took it seriously.

“To protect him from people being pushy or with the construction side? I don’t know anything about architecture.”

I sighed. “You said you wanted to help. What can you do that’s useful?” I swallowed a snort when others snickered and he started chuffing. Then I glanced over my shoulder at others. “I have the same question for most of you. At least he has the willingness to want to help.”

“I would prefer to work with the appraisers to help Gavriil,” Thorn admitted. “I have education and experience there.” He cleared his throat.

Except I didn’t know what was going on. Fraser managed to get him out of the way from next to me and Thorn relented, moving to the other side of him. “His parents had one of the finest art collections in all of Thovudin. They were knownas devout patrons to the arts and education of it—funded restoration projects and—truly dedicated to it.”

I took off again and it helped me calm down when I came back, letting out a slow breath. “Too bad no one told me that. These are the things I should know because I would lookstupidnot utilizing andhonoringthat connection.” I felt better when Myriam muttered that they were all fucking morons.

I couldn’t have agreed more. The candidates, not my uncle.

He couldn’t keep it all straight any more than we could.

“Okay, you two handle that then,” I said. “Gavriil, you’re the business side. The nonprofit is created? You’re doing the website and all of that? Thorn handles the appraisers and…”

“I like photography,” someone piped up from behind us. “I could do that. I have gear. I know not to use like the flash on paintings and whatever.”

Myriam nodded when I looked at her and saw it was Ezerial from Lunaria who had said it. So that was how he got added to the project.

“Joris, how is the temple…” I adjusted my neck. I really couldn’t saybullshitlike I wanted to.

He cleared his throat and moved up next to me, thanking Ayao when he moved over. “There is some internal fighting on how to elect the next high priest. I’m truly disgusted, but after several Alphas made it clear that the weekly interviews with candidates wouldn’t be happening, they’re back to fighting about who takes the top prize.”

I sighed and sprinted again, ignoring when I realized a few people were trying to run with me. It wasn’t until I was back with the group that I realized it was Belinda and the other ancients. I simply raised an eyebrow.

“It’s best you leave it alone,” she chuckled.

Probably, but at least they were all smiling. I glanced between them. “Do you want like a signal of when I’m going to go?”

“No, part of the training is to try and tell given you’re special,” one answered.

Okay then. Glad to be… Entertaining?

I focused back on Joris who seemed like he didn’t know what to do with his situation either. “Are their food pantries of any use for those who are experiencing food insecurities?”

“They are supposed to be,” he muttered. “I honestly have no idea the condition they’re in besides the ones in Wildcairn that I’m familiar with.”

“Then that’s where we start,” I sighed.

“Start with what, Your Majesty?” he asked.

I was about to answer when one of the guards came hurrying over and I halted our procession. I nodded for him to go ahead and skip the normal greeting or whatever.

“The owner of the treat shop is at the gate saying she needs to speak to you about—”

I took off before he could even finish. Toni had said in one briefing or another that I’d loved that place or—someone had seen me there? I couldn’t remember, but while my endorsement or a brand deal would work for Andra, she didn’t have storefronts to target. I’d been worried because this was a family-owned shop and a location for people to take their hate out on.

And alotof people hated me.

A few voices called after me, but I ignored them, running at full speed and immediately losing Treena and Davian. Even the ancients had no chance of keeping up with me.

I hit the brakes about twenty feet from the main gate and basically slid the rest of the way, barking out one word. “Move!”

People jumped to attention and the reporters there didn’t listen, already trying to figure out what was going on. The guardsthere were on alert because of how I was behaving and that didn’t help.