Page 35 of Curse of Thorns
I eye a similar invitation in Caelynn’s grip. Tyadin’s is the same.
Each of us were invited to a last-minute High Court ball.
“Is it a test? Is she giving up on me as champion? If I show up at the ball, she’s going to announce Caelynn as the new champion.”
Why else invite Caelynn as well? She’s not well-liked by anyone of merit in the High Court; in fact, many wish her dead. But sheisthe runner up of the trials.
“No.” Caelynn smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “She wants to put on a confident face,” she says smoothly, her eyes holding mine for longer than usual. She’s studying me. She’s concerned for me.
I don’t blame her. I am too.
If the people of the realm, any of them, learn that I can’t get inside the Schorchedlands...
“The scourge has stopped spreading, so the people will be at ease, and seeing you could make them feel even better,” Tyadin muses.
“Lulls in the spread have happened before,” I tell them. “And they’re historically followed by a huge attack. More children will die before it’s over. Showing up to this gala is a terrible idea.” I press my palms to my eyes.
“You’ll just have to trust her.” Her smile is forced.
I shake my head, stomach sinking. Over and over, I’ve failed. “She wants me to fail,” I say, voice dead.
Caelynn’s hand drops to my forearm, and I blink at her delicate fingers touching me. “Then, she’s in one hell of a fight. I won’t rest until you win this.”
I clench my jaw. “Me or we?” The words slip out before I even consider them.
Her eyebrows pull down. “What?”
What if Caelynn is hoping I fail, so she can take my place as savior?
My breaths come out quick and shallow. I look up and meet her darkened stare, concern so damn clear it’s insane I’d consider anything different.
Well, if it’s not true, it should be. “Maybe you should go,” I say. She may not behopingfor the chance to fix her mistake in the trials, but maybe she’s the right one for the job.
“No.” Her voice is sharp. She pulls her hand away and crosses her arms, her jaw set.
“At least if you try,” I say calmly as hopelessness seeps into my bones, “we’ll know if some of our theories hold merit.”
“And if they do, I’ll be the one in the Schorchedlands. It can’t be undone.”
I bite my lip. “Then, you’ll be the hero and so be it.”
“No,” she says again. “I will not take this from you unless it’s a last resort. I know what it will mean for you if someone else completes the quest.”
“And what does it mean for you?” I spit. “There’s no happy ending for both of us, Cae. I was prepared to take this reward without even considering how selfish it is...”
Without considering what it could mean for Caelynn if she were to earn back her place in our realm.
“Stop,” she says, angry eyes pinned to mine. “My life is what it is because of my own deeds. I deserve the punishment. You do not.”
Caelynn drops to her knees before me and places a hand on my thigh. She looks up at me with fierce eyes. “Look at me,” she demands. She grips my chin beneath harsh fingers when I don’t obey, and she forces my gaze up to hers. “You deserve this,” she tells me. “What we did, we did together. You saved my heart. I wouldn’t have ever gotten over Raven’s death. Never. It would have destroyed me in ways Brielle and Drake never would have been able to comprehend. You deserved the win as much as me, if not more.”
I narrow my eyes, watching her.
“You are worthy of this, Rev. And I will not let you give up.”
I swallow.
“Me neither.” Tyadin steps forward, getting down on one knee before me. “I believe in you, Prince Reveln. My future king.”
