It’s just me. My life. My throne.
If I give it all up, the isle could be safe. All I’ve ever wanted was to save lives. That’s exactly why I wanted to become a surgeon.
I can’t deny this final chance for peace.
I open my mouth, my pulse racing at the words that nearly climb up my throat. But something tugs at my mind—a memory, one strong enough to give me pause. It surges through me with the echo of a voice. It’s my mother’s voice, fierce and strong and full of fire as she orders me not to make a deal with Mr. Duveau. Next, I hear Aspen’s voice, posing the question of whether the treaty is worth saving at all. Then, it’s my voice I hear, telling Aspen that Faerwyvae is my home, that I will sacrifice myself no more. Finally, I hear the words I said to the fire fae in the cave at Lunar, promising I would fight for the unseelie and to end the corrupt ways of both human and fae councils.
My fire returns to heat my blood as I remind myself who I am. I do not cower, I do not beg, and I certainly don’t sacrifice my own life for my enemies.
I am Evelyn, Unseelie Queen of Fire.
“You had your chance,” I say sweetly, “but I will agree to no such deal. Goodbye, Queen Dahlia.” I turn my back on her and take a slow step away. I’m confident she’ll call out for me to stop, to cave in and try to backtrack to my previous offer for the weapons.
But the words that come out of her mouth are not what I expect. “You won’t agree? Not even to be with your sister?”
I freeze. I know she’s bluffing, acting like they have Amelie even though I know better. But there’s something about the bravado in her tone that chills my blood.
That’s when I see it. Movement to the right.
I whip my attention toward it and see two figures skirting around the far end of the sand dune. They’re far enough away from my allies that they haven’t been noticed by the Alpha Alliance yet, but the direction they’re coming from…
My blood goes cold. The camp.
I turn back to Dahlia, who wears a triumphant grin. “You think we didn’t know your sister had returned to you?”
This is it. The moment I’ve been anticipating with both resignation and dread. The moment I get confirmation that Amelie truly has been lying to me, poised at every moment to betray me. Was every word planted by Cobalt from the start? Or was it her will all along?
Someone appears at my side, giving me a start before I realize it’s Aspen. He’s wreathed in the violet aura of the Bond, eyes trained on the two figures that cross the stretch of land from Fire to Solar.
“What the bloody oak and ivy,” Aspen curses between his teeth as Cobalt comes clearly into view.
I burn the traitorous male with a glare for only a moment before turning it on my sister. Cobalt grasps her around the waist, lifting her while her legs drag behind her. She’s conscious, but the way she walks looks as if her legs have turned to lead, fighting gravity with every step. Her head lolls, face twisted, mouth open in a silent scream. It’s enough to wipe the scowl off my face.
“This is a peaceful exchange of words,” I say to Dahlia.
“And Cobalt has done nothing to compromise it,” she says smoothly. “He simply reclaimed what was rightfully his. As Amelie is one of his mates, he has every right to take her back.”
“She is not property.”
She barks a laugh. “Oh? Is that why you kept her out of sight?”
I press my lips tight together, eyes flashing back toward Amelie. She truly appears to be in excruciating pain. That’s when I remember the command I left her with:do not leave this tent until I return for you.
I reach for my fire to burn away the pity that sinks my heart. She may be in pain, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t betray me. “We’re done here,” I say. “You can have her.”
“You’re going to give her up that easily?” Dalia lets out a tittering laugh, then leans in, lowering her voice. “Cobalt may think we allowed him to seek her out for his own satisfaction, but he’s wrong. His actions to harbor your sister when the treaty demanded both of you be exiled to the mainland is unforgivable. You may be the primary cause of the broken treaty, but he must pay a price for keeping her. And if it succeeds at punishing you too…” She doesn’t clarify what she’s hinting at, but her malicious smirk tells me enough.
I no longer know what to think, what to believe. Just moments ago, I was so certain Amelie was the traitor I’d always thought her to be. But now…
My hand moves slowly to my hip, fingers desperate to reach for the hilt of one of my iron daggers. Then my gaze moves to Aspen, still present through the Bond. He watches me knowingly.
If I react with violence, this peaceful exchange of words is at an end. Phoebe’s winged soldiers will descend and chaos will break loose.
With a sigh, I begin to lower my hand.
“No,” Aspen says, stilling me. His lips twist into a cruel grin that he pins on Dahlia. Of course, she can’t see him, but the invisible threat fuels my inner fire. “I’ve already sent a guard back to our camp. If Cobalt didn’t kill them all to take your sister, they’ll be here any moment.”
“Are you reconsidering my offer?” Dahlia says.
