“Maybe the treaty isn’t worth saving.”
My eyes go wide. “How can you say that? If the treaty protects our people from war, then of course it’s worth saving.”
He lets out a shaking breath, running his hands through the blue-black hair between his antlers. “This isn’t a treaty, Evie. It’s a blade our councils toss from one side to the other, waiting to see who gets cut first. I’m tired of playing the game. I’m tired of watching both sides point that blade at me.”
His words send a chill down my spine. I can’t let myself consider whether he’s right. Didn’t I say nearly the same to Lorelei?I’m tired of living in fear of this treaty.I shake my head. “If maintaining the treaty means lives can be saved, then it is worth saving in return. So long as there’s a choice that means peace, then that’s the choice we have to make.”
“It isn’t a choice if Ihaveto make it.”
For the love of iron, he’s stubborn. “Even if you’re right about the corruption of the treaty, do you think war is going to make things better? Can you honestly live with yourself, knowing you’re the cause of the destruction that will follow?”
“If it’s in the name of freedom, then yes.”
Heat rises to my cheeks. “Well, I can’t.”
Aspen pours another glass of wine and knocks it back, chest heaving as his eyes remain locked on me. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I can’t be the reason my people suffer. You know this.”
“Your people. You do realize war would affect both humans and fae, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“But it’s the humans you care about more.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m trying to protect your throne too. I didn’t face Cobalt for nothing. If you refuse the human council’s offer to maintain the treaty, the fae council will finish what Cobalt started.”
“The All of All chose me. The council will honor that.”
“The All of All choseme,” I argue. “If the Council of Eleven Courts thinks the treaty has broken because of me, the ruling of the All of All won’t matter. They’ll turn on both of us.”
He presses his lips tight but makes no argument. Probably because he knows I’m right. “There must be another way.”
I uncross my arms, letting some of my rage drain out with a sigh. “I hope there is too. That’s why I’m going with Foxglove tonight, to see if I can prove I’m not what they think I am.”
“Like hell you are. It isn’t safe. If the humans consider your mother a traitor, you could be in danger as well.”
“I’m not going to sit here while my mother suffers, not if there’s something I can do about it.”
“If anything can be done, then Foxglove will do it. There’s nothing you could do that he cannot.”
“I could prove they’re wrong.”
“And if they aren’t?”
I can’t consider that possibility right now. Ican’t. Not when it means...
“If they aren’t,” I say, “then I face the consequences.”
He sets the wine glass down, shoulders slumped in defeat. His voice comes out like a growl. “I don’t want to lose you.”
I force my words past the lump in my throat. “If Foxglove can sort out this madness, then you won’t have to. My mother will be released, the treaty will be secured, and I’ll return to you.”
“Promise me.”
I shake my head. “I need a promise fromyou. Promise me if I don’t come back, you’ll marry your new Chosen.”
His fingers curl into fists at his side, but he remains silent.
