Luca’s face bursts into a grin, I think loving the confidence with which I declare that none of our little group are going into battle without the others by our side.
“What, you don’t believe me?” I ask, grinning at my mate.
“You just…” he shrugs, smiling and shaking his head at me, “have absolutely no authority to make that kind of claim.”
I sit up straight. “I am a Princess of this nation,” I say, tilting my head a bit.
“But you’re not in the line of command,” he says, holding out a hand to me. “Listen, Ariel, I have utter faith in you – you just…have no grounds on which to make that call.”
I twist my lips to the side, considering this. “Well then,” I says quietly, mostly to myself. “Looks like I’m going to have to get some grounds.”
Luca hums his support, nodding to me, and I he
