Asmo sits back in his chair, a grin spread across his face. “Do something!” I hiss. But he just sits there, eyes twinkling as he watches Ivan and Basil.
Males are useless. I throw a shield around Ivan as Basil prepares to go on the offense.
“Sit,” I command. “Now.” Basil watches Ivan, jaw clenched and hands balled into fists. “Now,” I repeat.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Basil whispers. He sits on the edge of the couch, unfurling his hands and cupping his knees. He angles his body toward Ivan, who sits on the opposite side of the couch, Luca sitting awkwardly between them.
Etta raises her head and looks at Ivan. “They saved my life.”
“They stole you from the throne,” Ivan fires back.
Etta shakes her head. “No, Ivan. I don’t think you understand. I was going to die out there. They took me in. They saved me.”
What would I have done, in her shoes? I was lucky enough that Asmo was there to save me, not someone I didn’t know. I don’t blame Etta for staying.
“They could have brought you back to the castle.Wecould have saved you.”
Etta takes a deep breath, fidgeting with the material on her pants. “They would have risked everything. It would have exposed their entire operation.”
“I don’t give a damn,” Ivan says incredulously.
Etta’s eyes shutter closed, as if she’s torn between Ivan’s anger and Basil’s decision. Torn between a before and after. “They didn’t know what to do. They made a choice. But it was mine to stay.”
My mind races. Etta has been alive this whole time. She knew I was on the throne but didn’t make a move to restore her position. My life could have remained unchanged if she had taken the throne back. I could have avoided so much pain—physical and emotional. We wouldn’t be here right now.
But that’s not entirely true. Cora would have found another way.
“I took months to heal,” Etta continues, “But when I did, I was given the choice to leave. I declined. The people here are good, selfless, and working toward something more important than me returning to the throne. They’re fighting for their rights, the rights they should have had all along. So, I decided to stay and help them.” She turns to me and says, “I apologize for the hell you’ve found yourself in, and that my decision to stay forced you into that.”
I nod in silent forgiveness. Although I’ve been grumbling about my position and its burden, I wouldn’t step away even if I could. I’m surprised to find that even if I could go back and force Etta back to the throne, I wouldn’t. Because then I wouldn’t have my friends, nor would I be this version of myself—the one that has found another piece of my heart in magic.
“You truly abandoned your birthright for this?” Ivan asks. He sounds sad.
Etta’s answering smile is tight. “Yes. It’s important.” She looks around, to the walls of dirt, the bare-bones furniture. “This place, these people, are good. Sincestaying here, I’ve learned more about the state of this kingdom. Humans need our assistance and the Fae need help re-establishing themselves. Maybe I abandoned my birthright so I can make it better.”
Her hands have stopped twitching and her posture is straighter. She’s confident about this. No—proud.
Ivan stares at her, then looks at me. “And you agreed to this?” I nod. His face is blank as he asks, “You agreed to destroy your own throne? Both of you truly want this?”
Etta smiles, reminding me of the way she was yesterday when she explained everything to us. “We would like to rebuild it,” she says, “Make it better. Make it something to be proud of. The Lower Houses and the humans are a part of this kingdom, but they have never had the same rights as members of the High Houses. And the Fae deserve to return home.” Ivan’s face pales at the reminder of the Fae, and I wonder again what I’ve agreed to. “We want to rid the throne of the black rot that is Marik and the witches, then start over with a new kingdom, one that takes care ofallits subjects.”
“And which one of you will rule?” Ivan asks, eyes darting between Etta and me.
Etta dips her chin toward me.
“I’ll continue to rule,” I say, as confidently as I can. If I’m being honest, I feel like an imposter on the High Throne again now that I know Etta is alive.
“She is the eldest sister, after all. The throne is rightly hers,” Etta says.
I blink. She’s right. Despite my mother not being Queen Adelaide, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is my father’s lineage. And I am the elder sister.
“Remind me of the conditions of the deal,” Ivan says to Etta. “Please,” he adds.
“Mae has agreed to help us rescue the prisoners set for execution. In exchange, we will assist you in fighting Marik and Cora.”
“That seems like an unbalanced trade,” Luca says. “What does that even mean, that you’ll assist us in fighting?”
Amaris leans forward. “Between the LowerHouses and the Fae, we have hundreds of citizens that are willing and able to fight. They are yours if you decide to take up arms.”
