“You’re a Prince—” she said after a moment.
“What I don’t understand,” he went on, “is why you give everything to him and hold back from me.”
Pain lanced through her. She tried to speak, but couldn’t.
“And the only thing I can think,” he said, “is that you’re in love with him.”
She bit her lip.
“So I worry,” he said, clearing his throat and finally turning his own green eyes onto her, “that by helping you, I’m helping him.”
She continued to face Hero, Kaelan in her periphery. “I see. And I don’t suppose there’s anything I can say to allay your worries?”
“Nothing you can say, no.”
“I don’t want to be your enemy,” she said. “I already told you that I would never—”
“Love makes you do things,” he cut in, “you never thought you would do. Things you’re not proud of, but do anyway.”
Was that why she’d had sex with Endreas? Because she was in love with him?
She’d convinced herself that it had only been because she was in her Shine. A perfectly good reason for a Pixie.
But what if Kaelan was right? What if she was in love with Endreas?
In spite of everything she feared might occur if he fulfilled his prophecy, ifshesucceeded and became Radiant, if she claimed the Crown, what then? Would she really turn Endreas away because she feared what he might do? Like hunt down all the refugees from the Elven Realms and kill them? Like bring his laws to her Lands? She honestly didn’t know the answer.
Finally, she looked into his eyes, Kaelan’s deep green irises framed by Caden’s black lashes. “Are you saying you don’t want to help me anymore?” she asked.
“What other choice do I have?” he asked.
“You could leave,” she said.
“Would that make it easier for you?”
“I feel like you’re convicting me of something I haven’t even done yet.” She leaned forward. “I defended you. I nearly died—”
“But he saved you.”
“To use me.”
“Like you’re using me?”
She sank back, throat constricting. “Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“I don’t think you know what you’re doing.”
“You’re right. I’ve never done any of this before. Have you? You could leave whenever you want. I’m not keeping you here.”
Perhaps it was her imagination, but it seemed he winced ever so slightly, but then he was glaring down at the floor again.
“You expect me to let you stand before the Crown alone?” he said.
“No, I don’t, but I don’t want you to think that I’m only using you. I thought...”—her voice failed her for a second—“we were friends.”
“We’re more than friends,” he said, looking back up at her. “You have my heart, Magda.”
Her fingers grazed the bare skin above her corset. “When you were gone, it happened, just like he said.”
