Mine, not yours.

Azure yelled it out, but Mortis’ wasn’t hearing it. Maybe it was true, maybe it wasn’t, but Azure had shown a different color today. Showed something beneath the surface that made Mort’s heart glow. Maybe he wanted to pretend he didn’t care, but Mortis wasn’t so sure it was true anymore.

“You rescued Hana. You wanted to hunt down the bear that hurt Magnus. You're more like dad then you know. He doesn't give a shit about the people he doesn't love. He can be cruel, and uncaring. But those he decides are his like your Hana, those he protects. He’s just older, and found more to collect than you have.” Mortis pointed out softly. “Besides, I’m not strong enough to be leader, Azure. I don’t think I could make the hard decisions. I don’t think I could turn people away. I would invite trouble to the Armada. I would house more than we could afford to. I would make promises, and not have the strength to back then up. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this. I love these people too much. It would get in my way. I would be too busy trying to please them that I wouldn’t be doing what's right to look after them. If I was leader, I would only lead them into ruin. No. I would not and could not do it without you. Therefore, it only makes sense, that you have to be leader.”