“If I become Radiant, then... Lavana will be the one who dies. And in that case... I’ll keep my word. You’ll be free to return to your forest, your family, with Honey, just like we talked about.”
“And what if I don’t want to go back?”
“You can go wherever you want.”
“What if I don’t want to go?”
Her throat tightened. “Meaning what? You’d rather stay at the Spire, as a Pixie?” She shook her head. “Eris’s gift might be enough to change your appearance, but I’m not sure it’s enough to change you from being a Prince. Therewasa reason I had Damion tie you up, Kaelan—”
“Cae—”
“You’re a Prince,Kaelan. There are many more Raes in the Lands than there are Princes. Unless you’re claimed, you won’t be able to keep yourself from them... and they won’t be able to keep themselves from you, I promise.”
His gaze combed over her face. “And what would you do, a Princeless Radiant?”
She heard the unasked question under his words, the same implication Damion had pressed against her. Always the same.
“If I become Radiant, then I’ll take a Prince,” she said. “I’ll kill Lavana and claim Riker.”
He blinked. Obviously that hadn’t been the answer he’d expected.
“She’s already claimed him,” he said.
“He’ll be free again once she’s dead,” she said.
“But what about—?”
“What about what?” she challenged.
He leaned over her. “My brother will come for you.”
“And?”
He sneered. “Don’t pretend—”
“If I’m Radiant, and if he attempts to harm my claimed Prince, then I will defend my Prince to the death. I told you, I’m attracted to your brother, but I don’t trust him—”
“You are not as heartless as you pretend,” he said.
“Of course not, I have a piece of yours.”
The clouds tracking over his face darkened. “That was a mistake,” he said softly.
For some reason, his words stung.
“Whatever I choose to do in the end,” she said, throat burning with the venom she was holding back, “I’ll keep my word. You can leave now if you wish. Be whoever you want. Go wherever you want. I’m not forcing you to help me.”
“You’re just so eager to see the back of me,” he said.
“I’m eager for you to be safe,” she said, “and to be as far from all of this madness as possible. Isn’t that what you want? You don’t really intend to join the Resistance do you? Eventually, they’ll want you to reveal your true identity. The King will start hunting you again. You didn’t see what happened to Froenz’s hall. The Resistance couldn’t even protect themselves.”
“Once you’re finished with me where else am I supposed to go? Do you really think I could go back to the forest?”
“Why not?” she asked.
“What about all the roving, lascivious Raes?”
Her head began to throb. “What do you want, Kaelan?”
