“Because I won’t allow it to happen. As long as I’m giving him what he wants, he won’t lock me up.”
“And what’s that? World’s best pussy?”
I wince as soon as the words leave my mouth. My skin heats to the point of discomfort. I can’t even peel my eyes off the floor to meet hers. “I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry, I’m so?—”
“No need to apologize to thewhoretrying to save the kingdom.” A bitter smirk plays on her lips. Zadyn lets out a long breath, shaking his head as he stares at the ground.
“Serena,” I say, moving to her.
Her hand shoots up, stopping me. “I don’t have the time to be offended by your crude comments. So just save it.”
You managed to do it again, asshole. Managed to widen that gap that you so beautifully installed between you in the first place.
I drop the hand reaching for her as she starts again, “And as a matter of fact, I do have a few ideas.”
“What ideas?” Zadyn crosses to us, perching on the table.
“We need all the power we can muster. Which means you have to do something you might not like.” She glances at me.
“I’ll do anything.”
“You need to marry Sorscha and perform the Bloodfast with her.”
It’s like being doused in ice water. I take a step back, my heart sinking.
“Before you say no, hear me out. If you do this, both you and Sorscha will inherit Derek’s gifts.”
It’s bad enough that Serena never answered my proposal before she left. Now, apparently, it’s just getting swept under the rug like it never happened.
“She’s right,” Zadyn admits.
Of course, you’d like that, wouldn’t you,I refrain from snapping.
“That gives us two more major weapons. Then we write to the other kingdoms and try to gather whatever aid we can. Once Kylian is done with Aegar, he will reach for them as well. I’m guessing they’ll be more than willing since this affects them too.”
“Hyrax is already in. Eaton guaranteed his father’s aid,” Zadyn provides.
“And what if all that isn’t enough? What if this goes wrong? Be realistic for a moment. Two weeks is not much time. Not at all.” My words are a plea, a plea for her to see reason—to see how losing her again would be the end of me.
“I’ll tell you the same thing I told Zadyn. I will end him with my bare hands if I have to. And I will do it before he can take this kingdom and the others. But I will not sit by and watch my home, watch my family burn.”
The fire in her lavender eyes is staggering. So is her unwavering resolve.
Forcing a swallow down my throat, I nod.
Because what choice do I have but to follow her lead?
This is not the girl I plucked out of the Bone Forest. The girl I spent months sharpening into a weapon. This is not even the girl who kissed me under the stars at solstice.
The person before me is a warrior. A queen.
Resolute and determined.
How can I refuse her? How can I do anything but worship at her feet?
58
JACE
