I took Queen Azari’s crown from my head and handed it to her.
“Stop.” The word broke off in her throat, an ugly, deep sound coming from her chest.
I moved to face her, my future clearer than ever. My own heart broke—for everything Yaseema and I had fought for together.
“Yas.” I slipped my hand under her chin, lifting her eyes to mine. They were wet with large, unshed tears.
“You can’t,” she whispered, the words barely audible.
“If this is the only way to free them, I’m going to do it. You know I am. I am the royal blood that needs to be paid.”
“But I can’t do this without you. I need you.”
“No, you don’t. You never have. You gave me the power to kill Reza. You destroyed the King’s crown. Your magic allowed us to find the door in the Mountain.Everythingthat I have now is because of you. I neededyou.Don’t ever forget your strength.”
She grabbed onto my arms, and I felt my heart crack in two. “Let me come with you.”
No. I couldn’t let her do that.
I shook my head, my stomach curdling at the very thought of condemning her to the Tirich Mir curse. This was something that was meant for me alone.
“You know I can’t let you do that. You can’t let yourself do that.”
“I know.” Her words were the softest sound, and I closed my eyes, not allowing myself to feel anything yet.
If I fell apart now, if I allowed myself to sink into the black, sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, I would never walk through that door.
“You have to stop the Citadel,” I said to her quietly, my voice like a prayer. “You need to bring down the wall. Give them their life magic back.”
She nodded, tears trailing down her cheeks. I followed one with my thumb, then bent down to press my mouth to hers, the salt of her tears mingling with the taste of her.
She sobbed against my mouth, and I pulled her to my chest, looking in the direction of the open door. My own tears were unshed, and I forced them back behind the burn in my eyes.
“Tell my mother I love her,” I said softly.
She let out a bone-deep sob against my skin.
“Tell my brother I’ll have a bout with him again soon. And give my sister this.” I lifted the chain from my neck, revealing the ring that was still on it. “It’s hers, she’ll want it back.”
“Don’t.” She shook her head. “Don’t go.”
“What would you do?” My words were caught in my throat.
I’d likely never see her again. Not if she went back across the River. I’d likely never seeanyoneagain. Her hands were soft in mine, and I stroked the inside of her palm with my thumb, relishing the warmth of her skin, knowing this was the last time I’d feel it.
“What would you do, if you had the chance to free them? Your mother? Grandmother? Cousin? What would you give for them?”
She closed her eyes, a new set of tears falling. “Anything.” Her voice was ragged, raw, pulled out of her by the thorns in my vines, growing through her heart.
I nodded, meeting her eyes, tracing my index finger around the delicate gold spectacles I’d given her. A small smile formed on my lips. “If yours is the last face I ever see, scholar, I’m glad it was you.”
“I’ll break the curse on the Mountain. I promise you. I’ll find a way.”
I shook my head. “You’ve got bigger things to do now.” Then my smile was full-blown.
“Light the River on fire.”
Chapter 51
