So much of what I did was to protect these women but if I got to choose how I wanted to use my own life, they should get the same option. Besides, I could use the help. Especially to find Anya. Then they can get themselves to safety or stay behind knowing exactly what it means if they do.
“Come, sit. Eat. I’ll explain everything.” I walk over to the cart and push it toward the couches.
They silently help me remove the covers and we carry the plates to the table at the center of the sitting area.
None of us touch the food while I explain how I got here, my involvement with Lee, how he turned out to be Ludis, andhow the emperor died. I leave out all the details with Brevan. They already guessed some of it, but some of that is just for me. Besides, it’s too painful to bring up knowing they might ask about us.
When I’m finished, they stare at me, open mouthed and wide-eyed.
“Well, that was not what I expected,” Charlotte says.
“All this time? He knew you looked like his sister?” Genevieve looks green.
“I know. I don’t like thinking about it.”
“He’s here? The Iskvalandian prince?” Antonia asks. “Is he single?”
“Antonia!” Genevive gasps.
“No, no, I see where she’s going with that. He got you to fall for him, you were sent to do the same to Caiden…” Charlotte’s brow furrows. “Won’t he see it coming, though?”
“Not if he thinks we’re social climbing dimwits.” Antonia shrugs.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” Genevieve offers. She glances at Antonia. “You don’t have the patience to play stupid for that long.”
“She’s not wrong,” Charlotte agrees.
“I am so sorry I underestimated all of you,” I say again.
“Everyone always does. It’s why they chose you. And why they thought they could control you,” Antonia says.
“You’re right. They’re still doing it. They’re still using me, thinking they have the upper hand.”
“Well, you’re not alone anymore, and they won’t see that coming,” Antonia says.
“You’re sure you want to help with this? I don’t intend to leave any of the Pendralian empire standing when I’m finished.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a purple flame. It flickers and glows, then vanishes. A warm feeling of approval washes over me.
“If one of us goes down, we all go down, you know that, right?” I confirm.
“Then we better be careful. And we better bring them down first,” Antonia says.
Charlotte jumps to her feet and grabs four wine glasses, then sets them in front of us before returning to the cart to retrieve a bottle of wine. She opens it, then pours.
Wordlessly, each of us pick up a glass, then hold it in the air. “For Katherine.”
“For freedom,” Antonia says.
“For love,” Charlotte says.
“For my mother,” Genevieve says.
We clink our glasses together, then drink. We’re quiet for a moment, then Charlotte giggles. We all look at her.
“Can you imagine the look on Marian’s face if she could see us now?”
My smile fades. The emperor killed her, too. “And for Marian. She never got to taste freedom, but for her, and for all those trapped by this empire, we will fight.”
