Chapter 128. Inauguration

ARDEN

The day of the elections finally arrived.

Everything we worked for was going to be decided in just a few hours. The day came heavy with tension. I could feel it in the way Cade squeezed my hand that morning.

For weeks, we gave it everything we had. Cade visited territories, answered every question, stood in front of every elder and child with that same steady conviction that made me fall in love with him.

The South stayed silent throughout it all. We hadn’t heard a whisper since Winters was arrested. Their territory remained tight-lipped, and Rowan, despite being casual with us, also felt detached. Still, we knew they wouldn’t get in the way.

The East was a different story. Elias’ parents came forward. They held press conferences and town meetings and even addressed the Academy directly. Their message was clear. The East was backing Cade.

And then the West. When leadership was handed to a distant Trevane—one no one really expected to rise—pe