Mathias held up his hand toward the elf. “Katya, please.”
She narrowed her eyes but pulled Jana into the tunnel and out of sight. Aristea’s eyes widened. She could only imagine what she was doing to Jana. But what was worse, Mathias didn’t seem to be under her control. She’d listened to him. How much more was true? Was he gathering a coalition like Captain Rosen had claimed?
“You’re seriously working with her?” Aristea asked.
He exhaled heavily. “I went to the feral lands, as you know. And I was intending to find out what they were planning. What sort of invasion... but when I got there, I discovered they aren’t plotting anything at all. They don’t have the means to scale any sort of attack. They’re struggling for survival. They’re not the organized threat we make them out to be.”
“You’re lying.”
“Why would I lie?”
“Tell me this, have you been in contact with Duke Wagner?”
He looked away from her and tugged on his beard hairs. “I don’t know why that matters.”
“Answer me.” Her voice shook.
Mathias turned to look at her. “He’s sympathetic to elves, and I needed a way safely into the city. I know what you’re thinking. I’m not plotting to overthrow you.”
She laughed bitterly. “I’m just supposed to take your word for it as you plot to stab a dagger into my back?”
“It’s not like that. I have no aspirations for power.”
“Of course you do. You’ve been pretending to be the martyr all this time, and for a while, I believed you. But now you came in here, threatened me, and my maid. You’re not the brother I knew,” Aristea said, pointing an accusatory finger toward him.
Mathias reeled backward, as if he’d been slapped. “I was going to die for the empire and get out of your way, but when I found out the truth, I knew dying was the coward’s way out.”
Her blood ran cold. Duke Krantz would join Mathias’ side with his magical soldiers, and then with the elves, she’d never stand a chance. She’d be forced to give up her place or fight an embittered civil war for succession.
And even if she won, she’d likely end up married to some awful man, like Duke Mattison.
“Don’t be like that, Aristea. You weren’t like this before. Remember when you talked about how you were going to change Artria for the better?”
She bit her lower lip. “That was childish hope on my part.”
“You don’t have to hope. You have the power now. Mother listens to you. I need your support; the elves aren’t our enemies.”
She felt as if someone had a vise-like grip around her heart and was squeezing it. “But you are. We’re rivals now, don’t you see? Without a husband, I cannot become empress while you’re alive. Not with my current strength.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” he protested.
“It was always this way. From the moment you were born, Mathias, my position as heir has been destabilized. We’ve been pretending to get along, but I can’t continue. Not anymore.”
Aristea stood up. Mathias jumped up, throwing out his arms to block the door.
“What are you doing, Aristea?”
“I should be calling the Midnight Guard to arrest you and end your claim. But...” She took a shaking breath. He was still her brother. She loved him dearly. Even if he didn’t intend to usurp her, that was how this plan played out. Knowing that, she should turn him over and secure her claim, but she loved him despite how much she hated him.
They faced one another. In her heart, she knew it might be the last time.
“Do you hear yourself? I’m your brother.”
“I know, and that’s why I’m giving you a fair chance. Leave now. I’ll give you a head start. Take Jana with you if you must. But don’t come back here, because I’m going to fight to keep what’s mine.”
He stared at her for a long minute before shaking his head and turning to walk away without a word. He exited through the secret passageway, and she waited to alert the guards. The time stretched out for an eternity, but she wanted to be certain he would be clear of the castle walls before the alarm sounded. She didn’t want to do this, but she didn’t want to give up on the one thing that made her something. Without the crown, she was just another body, another forgotten vessel, discarded and unloved.
When she was certain he wouldn’t be caught, she screamed for her guards. They rushed into the room.
