“To await my mother’s trial. I needed a safe place to stay until then, and I...” I can’t finish what I was going to say.I couldn’t come back to Autumn and watch you with your new Chosen. The new Chosen I told you to accept.
Aspen pushes away from the wall, anger twisting at his features. “You’re going back to the humans? After everything they’ve done to you?”
I take a step back, surprised at his sudden rage. “I’m not going to let my mother die for me.”
His hands curl into fists. “They had you strapped to a table, Evie. You cannot go back to Eisleigh.”
I blink at him a few times. “How do you know about that?”
“For the love of oak and ivy, I was there. Do you not recall?”
I shake my head. “That’s impossible. It was a dream.” Even as I say it, I know my words are folly. If he remembers, then it had to have been more than that. Memories flash through my mind, awakening every instance I’ve dreamed of him, the more visceral experiences blending with the horrible nightmares I’ve had of him and Maddie.
That brings up a vital question. “Wait, why areyouhere? What happened last night?”
“I left Bircharbor.”
“Why?”
“There was a fight.”
“Obviously.” I wave a hand at his unkempt appearance, at the blood staining the collar of his tattered linen shirt. “For the love of iron, Aspen. Tell me what happened. Did you break the treaty?”
“I did not fulfill it.”
I swallow hard. “Did you refuse to marry Maddie Coleman?”
“Yes.”
Relief and anger wash over me at once, followed by terror for my mother. If Aspen broke the treaty, will Mr. Duveau maintain his bargain not to kill her before the trial? Will there even be a trial? Rage prevails, and my words come through my teeth. “You promised me.”
“I promised you I’d make a choice neither of us would like. I was never going to marry the new Chosen.”
“By breaking the treaty, you put my mother’s life at risk. She could be dead right now for all I know!” I realize I’m yelling, but I don’t care. Let the entire palace wake from my fury.
Aspen’s lips pull into a snarl. “I may not have fulfilled your precious treaty, but as far as the humans are concerned, it isn’t broken.”
“How is that possible?”
“My brother fulfilled it.”
My mind goes blank as I process his words. “Cobalt...fulfilled the treaty? You mean...”
“He is now King of Autumn, according to the council.”
“You gave up your throne after everything we did to save it?”
He shrugs. “It is but a partial loss. I have every intention of remaining King of Autumn.”
“How? If the council has determined Cobalt has the throne—”
“I am claiming Unseelie King of Autumn according to the Old Ways. The rulers of Earthen, Wind, Winter, and Lunar support me. When Cobalt is defeated, I will once again be the only King of Autumn.”
What he’s saying shouldn’t be possible. Since when is there both a seelie and unseelie ruler in one court? The question is quickly overshadowed by what it suggests about Aspen’s allegiance.Unseelie King of Autumn.My blood goes cold, even as flames lash my palms, begging to be unleashed. “You’re turning unseelie? What about the balance of the council?”
“All hope of maintaining balance on the council has been lost. I’ve had enough. The only thing to do now is to break the council completely.”
My rage grows to a fiery inferno at his matter-of-fact tone. “If you destroy the council, what is left to secure the treaty?”
