Rosalina’s face flashes in my mind: the look of horror as I marched out on to the dais. The defiance when she leapt before me and faced my brother.
When she first looked at me—truly looked at me—in the grove. For the first time in my life, I was seen. A sacred witness. My mate, our bond forged from the stars…
And theyhaveher.
My steps thunder as I storm toward the willow tree. There’s something cracking inside of me, all the barriers I built crumbling down.
I accepted when he broke his banishment.
I accepted his punishment on the dais.
I gave him the stewardship.
I gave him Spring’s Blessing.
Because I believed it was what was best for the Spring Realm.
Because it was our way.
But Kairyn was working with the Below. Kairyn not only betrayed me, but our realm.
Both of us, traitors to our realm. I do not deserve mercy for what I’ve done.
Why should he?
I tried to save Spring. I tried to help my brother.
Now I will raze them to the ground if I have to.
Kill them all,Kairyn says.
I stand before the willow tree. This was where the first sacred blood was spilt. By my hand. My mother’s blade shines from where it’s embedded in the trunk.
I place my hands on the hilt.
There are voices behind me, shouting, asking me to slow. I ignore them. There’s only one voice I’m listening to now.
Kill them all.
But it doesn’t sound like Kairyn anymore. And distantly, I realize…
It was never his voice.
It was always mine.
I have always been the demon.
With all the strength left in me, I pull on the sword. A screaming sound tears from the trunk of the tree as the blade rips loose.
I hold it up, examining it in the light. Still sharp.
Kill them all.
For Rosalina, I will do it.
For Rosalina, I will do anything.
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