He glancesup, looking over my head.His violent violet eyes narrow.“I can see at least two of them.”
“Well, technically, Hyatt was the only one that killed someone,and he flew off after the wedding, so –”
Shaking his head, he callsout, “Burn the house down.”
“No!”I lurchathim, clutching his tunic.“Please don’t.They’re my pets.I’ve raised them since they were larvae.”
“I’m not risking my women for wasps.”
“But what about all my stuff?”I ask, reaching.
“I’ll buy you new things.”
Frantic, Itryto kick him.Hedoesn’tbother dodging;hejust looksat me drylyaspain shootsall the way up my leg.“Ow!”Heholdsme upright as I hobble, clutching my toes.“What are you made out of?Diamond?”
There’sa small twitch at the corner of his lips.Then they flatten again as he redirectshis attention over my head.
As I turn, still fastened to him, all the blood drainsfrom my face.Jaceis holdinga black,glossyballof somethingin his hand; it soongoesup in flames.
“Stop, please!I can get them out safely!”I struggle, pulling with all my might to go to them.Ican’twatch them die.My lungsarebeing crushed.Gasping, I pray for mercy.
They’rejust misunderstood balls of fluff.Delilahlikesto sit in front of the window, deaf to the world, and Samson followsme around the house.Hedoesn’tlike being looked at or acknowledged in any way, but he likesmy presence.Even Gionovaisn’tso bad.She’sonly tried to kill mesix or seventimes.HowcanRichard give the order to kill them so flippantly?
“You’re not going in.”His wordsareemotionless.
Tearsrundown my face as Jacetakesa step forward.
“You can drug them!”Iyell.“You can drug them, please!”I fall to my knees.“Please.”
Jace turnsto me.Hisblankeyes linger on my face before lifting to Richard’s.
I pray in the absence of time.In that moment when lifestopsmoving.Please.
“Are you certain it will work?”
I collapse, my shoulders dropping to the ground as I cave in onmyself.One armisheld above me, tight in Richard’s hand.I tremble as I nod.“Yes.It’ll be long enough for them to be movedelsewhereand released.Please, just let me do it.”
“No.”
A sobbreaksme in two.They’remy babies.Howcanhe force me to watch them die?
“I’ll do it.”
My heart stops, certain I’ve notheard him right.
“Your Highness–” Jacebeginstightly.
“I’m not risking anyone else for these damn wasps.”
“With all due respect, it is our job to give our lives –”
“Not over this,Jace.Not over a personal matter that does not benefit the kingdom.”
I lift my eyes to him.He’sblurry through my tears, but Icansee thetruthon his face.He’s going to risk his life to save my monsters – just for me?Because I asked?A shaky breath exhalesfrom my lungsas I struggle to understand him.His thumbsweepsacrossthe pulseatmy wrist, slowly, gently.Easing it with every pass of his finger.
Sniffling, I lick the tears off my lips.Howcanhe possibly be both this and the monster planning my execution?
“What do you use?”he asks, crouching down beside me.
