Elyssara stares.
But then a cruel snarl twists her face.
She scoffs.
“... Because she’s running a dictatorship with absolutely no concern for human life? Or for your own personal reasons?” Elyssara snaps, finger wagging between the women from different worlds. “Or perhaps it’s the crown and riches you chase? As long as the end justifies the means, right?” she croons sarcastically.
Marin quirks a vicious smile. “Can’t a woman have it all?”
Saana swats at her wife’s arm. “Stop being so rude, love,” she murmurs.
Marin audibly exhales. “Just so we’re clear, it is notyouI need. It is… what you canofferme.”
Of course. Useful again. Valuable again. Never simply human.
Elyssara barks a humorless laugh. “How surprising. A power-hungry royal wanting something from me and offering absolutely nothing in return. The entitlement of the privileged never ceases to amaze me.”
Marin lets out a frustrated sigh.
“Would you just fucking listen?” she snaps.
Saana leans in, her voice smooth and stable. “We are all from different worlds. We will never understand each other if we don’t try. We must… open our minds.”
Marin and Elyssara both huff aggrieved exhales.
“Fine,” Elyssara mutters.
Marin nods.
“I need you on Dravara’s throne, Elyssara. To rise against my mother. I need Zerynthia and Dravara to come together to face her army. The Dravari Melders. The Starborn army. We’ll need every single one of you.”
Elyssara stills for a heartbeat.
Another.
Then…
She laughs.
Loud and free, her ribs screaming in protest.
“Oh okay then. I’ll just take on Thalmyr for my throne with absolutely no support, just to march my newly acquired army straight to their deaths. Why didn’t I think of that?” she snaps, sarcasm dripping from her tongue.
Marin scoffs in frustration, pushing from her chair.
Saana stands, closing the gap between them. “If you would stop being such an impatient asshole for a moment, perhaps you could explain how this is mutually beneficial, love. You are not at war here. She is not your enemy.”
The words linger.
She is not your enemy.
Elyssara’s senses sharpen.Isn’t she?
Marin runs a frustrated hand through her hair, sucking in a forced breath to calm herself. She strides back to the table, trying to leash her ego, her mask,herself.
“My mother’s plans started out noble. Ambitious, but ultimatelygood. But… something happened.Changed. Her vision went from prosperity to dominance to outright dominion. Our people are suffering. Dying,” her eyes drift to Saana. They exchange a glance that is both heavy and real. Grief. Or desperation. Or both. “Or perhaps the cruelty was always there and power simply revealed it.”
Marin’s eyes land back on Elyssara.
