Page 143 of Tale of the Heart Queen

Nadir and Tristan exchange a look.

“Sorry. I heard what you were just saying,” Nadir says. “Come in.”

He jerks his head for Tristan to follow, and my brother hesitates for a moment before he enters. They’re still warming up to one another.

“Sit down,” Nadir says, and when Tristan hesitates again, he adds, “Look, I’m giving up my crown, and you’re getting one. Things that neither one of us ever expected. I think we can talk about this.”

Tristan’s eyes move between us. “You mean—”

“Yes,” Nadir says. “I will be giving up my place as The Aurora’s Primary.”

“You would do that for her?” Tristan asks.

“I would do anything for her. I hope that’s obvious by now.”

Tristan blinks before his gaze narrows, his eyes dragging over Nadir as if he’s testing the truth of his words. Something softens in his expression.

“Thank you,” Tristan says, bowing his head. “For taking care of her. For . . . being there for her. I know I’ve been hard on you.”

Nadir raises his hand. “With good reason. You don’t owe me anything.”

Tristan’s gaze slides to me. “Maybe not, but my sister seems pretty fond of you, and I—” He sighs and rubs a hand down his face. “And we’re going to be family soon.”

Tears burn the backs of my eyes as Nadir’s face cracks into a grin.

“Then have a seat,” he says. “Let’s talk about this.”

Tristan settles onto one of the divans arranged around a low table while Nadir and I sit across from him. Nadir scoots forward, his elbows braced on his knees and his hands clasped.

“Feeling overwhelmed about this is perfectly normal. But Cedar is High Fae and will go on to live for many years. You don’t have to figure out how to rule a kingdom overnight.”

“Right,” Tristan says. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“And Cedar is a good king. His people revere him. I don’t know him extremely well, but he’s been kind to you and your sisters, and I’ve only heard good things. Even if he can be an arrogant bastard sometimes . . . well, that kind of goes with king territory.”

He smirks, and Tristan’s shoulders drop. I watch as something passes between Nadir and my brother. They’re more alike than they realize. Both fearless and loyal. Both full of passion for the things and the people they love. Both willing to do whatever it takes to protect them.

“So I should just go and talk to him.”

“I think you should,” Nadir says. “And forget about Linden. She lives in Alluvion and has no say in this.”

“Do you want me to come?” I ask, and Tristan shakes his head.

“No. I think I can do this alone.”

“Okay. You know where to find me if you change your mind.”

“Thanks.” He stands up, and Nadir holds out a hand. Tristan takes it, and they shake. “Thanks to you, too.”

After Tristan leaves, I turn to Nadir.

“I think you might be finally winning him over,” I say, and he shrugs as if it’s of no importance, but I catch the bright, hopeful look in his eyes.

An hour later, we head down to meet everyone in the foyer.

Our plan is to use the walls of Heart as a buffer against whatever might happen when we destroy the arks. It’s already in shambles, so how much more damage could we do? We’re all going—Nadir and I, most of the rulers, Tristan, Amya, and Mael—basically, almost everyone with protective magic. Willow is staying with Rhiannon and Etienne to reduce any potential casualties. I don’t know what will happen when we destroy them, but I imagine something big, loud, and explosive. And messy.

D’Arcy left late last night, returning to Celestria. I don’t know how we’ll change her mind, and I have no idea how we’ll proceed if she continues to refuse.