Just blind, fierce loyalty.
Well, this supports my end goal, so I’m not complaining. Much. But I do have to ask, what about us?
I’ve written to you over zeniths. Poured myself into parchment with words, and sketches, and ink. Pleaded across the stars for your trust, your presence, your heart.
How exactly do I fit into this equation? Once you get here, will you take your bestie and run back to your cabin? Or will you stay and be my queen?
I’m simply pointing out that I did just rewire my realm’s most formidable weapon, in the midst of an oncoming civil war, to come and fetch you. I was prepared to give up my throne for your love. So I don’t think it’s an unfair question to ask.
You’ll come for Liberty, but will you stay for me?
If Liberty is Talion’s mate, and I pray to the stars she’s not, she is in a world of trouble. My cousin is cunning and charismatic and utterly without conscience. If he believed Liberty could help him win his claim, he would have lured her with honeyed words and a flash of magic. He’s capable of anything.
But you need to give me something now, too.
Tell me where you stand. With me. With us.
I’ll fight Talion. I’ll fight the council. I’ll fight the whole damn realm if I must. But I need to know—when I turn from the battlefield, exhausted and bloodied, will you be there waiting for me?
—Orion
Rye,
Seriously?
Seriously, you’re asking me that now?
My best friend might be trapped in another realm with your psychotic cousin, and you’re over here getting pouty about whether I’ll stay once I get there?
Of course I love you, you space-brained, sketch-sending, selari-obsessed prince. I wouldn’t have freaked out and vanished if I didn’t. I would’ve stayed, shrugged, and moved on—like I did with Matt when he cheated.
Remember that story? The one where I didn’t cry, didn’t scream, didn’t feel?
When I thought you lost interest in me, my whole world shut down. I wasn’t just hurt; I was hollow. I tried to pretend it didn’t matter, but it did. It does. You matter.
But this? What’s happening now? It’s not about us.
My best friend in the whole, entire world is in danger. Your throne is in danger. Our world—the one we haven’t even started building together yet—is in danger.
So no, I’m not going to sit here and write a love letter while my best friend could be a pawn in Talion’s messed-up power grab. I need you focused. I need you steady. I need you to remember who the hell you are.
Because I know exactly who I am.
I’m the future queen of Frosthelm. And no one messes with my guy or my girl.
Are you coming to pick me up or not!
~Dani
Stardust,
There she is. There’s my fiery girl.
Danika, all I want is you.
The throne, the crown, the weight of a realm—I’d lay it all down if it meant holding you in my arms.
But it looks like, if I want to win the hand of my fierce, fire-hearted queen, I’ll need to rescue her best friend first.
