“You would do anything for her,” I responded, nodding in understanding.
“I would,” he confirmed. “I spent a very long time following the king’s orders even when I knew they were wrong. It was eating at my soul, to hand away pieces of my morality. I was not protecting the people I love, and I was not protecting Acsilla. Innocents died because of my actions, because I chose the easy path.”
“What changed?” I asked, desperate to hear how it ended. Hoping to see a piece of my story reflected in his.
“I decided to fight back, even if that meant condemning myself to life in the dungeons. It was no longer feasible for me to support an unjust king, as I am sure you understand, given your change of heart regarding the prince,” Théo continued. He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts and drawing in a few slow breaths. “Ayla is not like them. She was raised by them, yes, but she is better in every way. She is the light that will shine over this kingdom, and I will follow wherever she leads.”
The parallels between us were glaring. We had both followed the whims of unjust men. We had both severed those ties in the hopes of living a life for what was right instead of what was easy.
A painful understanding welled up in my chest. “We crossed paths plenty of times during my service to Claudian, and yours to the crown. I regret that we never had the chance to know one another.”
“As do I.” Théo rested his hand on my shoulder, squeezed once.
“Do you think it’s too late to change that?” My voice was quiet. I looked at Théo tentatively.
Théo smiled. “We both owe apologies for the choices we have made, but not to each other. I would be honored to seek forgiveness by your side.”
“Thank you.” The breath that escaped me was one of deep relief.
The door swung open, and Théo was called away again for one last council vote.
I was left alone in the sitting room. The chamber door closed with a resonant sound. My head tipped back against the armchair, velvet gliding against my hair, and my eyes drifted shut.
Sleep continued to come uneasily to me. Though all evidence of the treason and bloodshed that occurred had been wiped away, I was left unnerved and untrusting.
Something in my gut settled as I replayed Théo’s words in my head. The other man had a calming presence, one that instilled hope and trust. My faith in the princess had grown from that one conversation alone, and I no longer worried so much about Seren’s safety within the palace walls.
Nearly another hour had passed before the chamber door opened again. Seren and Ayla walked side by side as they emerged. They had been nearly inseparable the last few days. Théo followed closely behind while the other council members remained locked behind those heavy doors.
I rose as Seren approached. Her expression was troubled, overwhelmed. I gripped her shoulder in one large hand, thumb brushing against the soft skin of her neck.
Her eyes drifted to mine. “Can we talk somewhere private?”
My heart leapt at her words. It pattered to the tune of her anxiety, swirling amid my own. “Of course.”
Seren led me through the twisting hallways that were no longer unfamiliar. She pulled me inside her room, shutting the door behind us with a soft click. She paced for a few moments, drawing steadying breaths. Her hands wrung together.
“What is it, Ren? What’s the matter?” I asked. I itched to move closer—to comfort her—but she was on edge, and I did not wish to spook her.
“The council has made a decision.” She pressed her fingers to her mouth then pulled them away. “One I am not sure I agree with, but the decision was made nonetheless.”
I went to her, unable to keep my distance any longer. Strands of hair had been pulled from her braids as if she had been worrying at them. I turned her around and unraveled them, combing my fingers through the short lengths and beginning to plait them anew.
Seren leaned into my touch. She breathed in again and let the words out in a rush. “I am to be queen.”
My fingers stilled as my entire body stiffened. My stomach lurched into my throat, then dropped. “What?”
“I know,” she said quietly. “It should be Ayla. She is the one the kingdom knows—the one who has trained for the position. But she argued it should be me by birthright. The council was not in agreement, but in the end, it was her decision. She abdicated, Harkin."
“Is this what you want?” I convinced my hands to move, tying off the ends of her braids and turning her back to face me. I shoved down the rising fear and regret, clenched my fists tight at my sides.
Seren sighed, appearing younger and more vulnerable than I had ever seen her. “I don’t know… It was unexpected. I have only just arrived in Acsilla, and I have hardly mastered my powers. I don’t know if I’m capable of it.”
“You are,” I said firmly. “You are beyond capable. You can do absolutely anything, Ren, but you should only agree to this if it will make you happy. Do not do it because they tell you you must.”
She nodded slowly. I could see my words tumbling around her mind.
I drew her closer, sliding my arms around her waist. Her body pulled flush against mine, and I buried my head in her neck. Her arms tightened on me in return, and I sighed, a bittersweet sound.
