Resenting the Hero Read Free Page A

servitude to either the Holder or the Empress, declared they would hide themselves in some deserted place and let the world shake itself to pieces.
    â€œAnd so a compromise was reached.
    â€œThe Holder would be pardoned from all charges of treason and be permitted to keep her lands and tenants in exchange for releasing her claim on the Sources and Shields in perpetuity.
    â€œThe Empress would fund the education of all Sources in Shields, in perpetuity, with the vow that no monarch would attempt to control them.
    â€œThe Sources and Shields would be self-regulating, with the understanding that they were obligated to protect all who needed it, with no payment.
    â€œAll others were obligated to house, feed, and clothe all Sources and Shields as it was demanded of them, without payment.
    â€œAnd thus was born the Source and Shield Service.
    â€œThose before us are embarking on the most honorable of tasks, high in privilege and equally high in responsibility. Many can claim to hold the future prosperity of this world in their hands. Only we can say so with literal intent. Without us, cities fall, oceans will swallow the fields, and this world will be laid waste.
    â€œAnd because of this, we are held high in the esteem of others, and we are freed from the day-to-day burdens others carry. Some feel that our higher responsibilities also free us from the laws others must follow, from the notions of duty and honor that bind others.” I could have sworn she looked right at Creol then. “This is a fallacy. On the contrary, we have higher expectations placed upon us, not less. The honor of the Source and Shield Service rests on all of you as you take your places in the world beyond the academies. Remember this.”
    There was a moment of silence. I wondered if I would feel irked, were I a regular, to be so thoroughly chided when I hadn’t even done anything wrong.
    â€œSources,” said Cloudminder, “Choose your Shields.”
    Finally.
    Source Black stood in front of the first Shield, Patrick Addington. They looked at each other. One exchange of glances was all it took. If nothing happened then, nothing was going to happen, ever.
    Nothing happened. Though Addington was no doubt disappointed, no one would know it by looking at him. Good man. Black took one step down to face the next Shield. Source Bradford, Sebastian, stood before Addington.
    I hoped, desperately, that Creol would not Choose me. For some reason a part of me was certain that he would. The fear had been lurking under my skull for months, ever since I learned that he hadn’t Chosen anyone at the last Match. I repressed a shiver. Refusing a bond was not only physically impossible, it simply wasn’t allowed. Sources and Shields were pretty much owned by the Triple S, and once a Pair had bonded, they worked together, no exceptions.
    Unless they were titled. An aristocrat with a title was considered even more valuable than a Source or a Shield, though not nearly as useful. Unfortunately, I was strictly merchant class, and Creol, he was too crazy to be granted a title. If he Chose me, I was stuck.
    There was a cry of delight from the beginning of the line. Bradford, Sebastian, had found his match in Liam Everette, an excellent Shield. Almost as good as me. A bit of a ponce for a Shield, too, so I had thought he would be the most obvious Choice for Karish, but these things couldn’t be predicted. Everette and Bradford left the line and moved to one side of the Matching Circle, out of everyone’s way, talking animatedly. And the Match went on.
    Black stood in front of me and looked me in the eye. A nice strong, solid look. I was surprised to find myself holding my breath. One moment slid by, and then another. How long was it supposed to take, anyway? Surely it took more than a fleeting glance. Maybe we were supposed to wait a little bit, make sure nothing was going to take hold. It couldn’t be exactly the same for every