“This is far different.”
“Yes, because now, we have a giant mess to clean up!” Emma cried. “Do you realize how much work it will be, to put the country back together now that Gabby and Elijah have ruined it?”
“And do you see the opportunity before us?” I pressed. “We can change the laws. We can help disabled people like you and me, Emma. We can change the rules so Unseelie magic is accepted in Dolinska. We can make things better for people like Ozzie and Jasper, make it so they no longer have to hide their love for fear of being killed. Don’t say you’ll turn away from that chance, because I know you. You will not.”
Her expression burned, but she failed to deny it. Instead, she said sadly, “I thought we might move to America, once my quest was over. I thought we could be happy, and just beourselves. We could buy a house of our own, travel the world. Start over.”
“It’s a pretty dream,” I whispered. “But you know it wasn’t ever something that was meant for us.”
Emma’s lip quivered. “I need some time to decide.”
She blazed past me, ending our conversation. Tygrys zoomed after her, mewing in worry. Though her words spoke of a decision she still had to make, I knew her too well.
Emma would not abandon me. She would stand by my side. She would take the nectar with me, and she would face her greatest fears in a gamble to become the most powerful woman the fae knew.
But unlike the King’s Contest, there was even more at stake this time— our very minds.
I only prayed that the nectar of the gods would not drive us to insanity, and end our quest to save Malovia once and for all.
Chapter Two
Emma
There were so many emotions coursing through me that I couldn’t keep track of them all.
EverythingI had was taken by Malovia. How hadn’t it become clear that my future was a worthy sacrifice as well? I had to keep giving to a country that hated me.
I was naive. I’d foolishly believed that once Ethan lost his title, he’d bemine. I’d no longer have to share him.
That was a lie. Ethan would always belong to Malovia. There would always be a piece of him I couldn’t have. His standing had changed— if he had to pick between his country or his mate, he’d pick me.
But I knew myself now, and I’d given up too much on our quest to save the fae. I wouldn’t let Ethan turn his back on our nation. We had fallen for each other in the first place because we wanted to save Malovia together.
I only wish there wasn’t so much I had to sacrifice. One day, it would claim my life.
I longed for a moment alone, for a bit of reprieve from the battle that had taken place. Most of the damage was on the first floor, and therefore, the dormitories were spared. Tygrys fluttered behind me, muttering tiny growls that I knew were meant to convince me of my newest fate.
But perhaps it wasn’t new at all. Maybe this is what I had been fated for.
Before I even made my way to the staircase, Lady Magdalina was waiting for me. She had her arms crossed, staring down at me like I was a contentious child.
Great.Thisconversation was about to go well.
“Can I help you?” I asked. I really wished she’d move out of the way.
“That is no way for a future queen to talk,” she clipped back.
My lip curled. “I never said I agreed to this charade.”
Lady Magdalina shook her head. “That is comical. Your heart agreed the very moment you chose Ethan for your mate. Let’s be honest with one another.”
I swear, my eyebrow twitched. Forget magic. I was going to fist-fight this old lady straight up in the hallway. “I have no interest in being queen—”
“Power is only claimed by those who take it! And dear Emmaline, you aren’t the kind of woman who backs away from an opportunity.” Lady Magdalina made a skeptical sound.
“So what? If I say no, Ethan can’t take the crown.”
“You wouldn’t do that to him. Please, don’t play games.”
