Page 44 of Curse of Thorns
And I’m quite familiar with Yeager bombs.
“Did you spend any time in the human world?” I ask her, now that our antics have settled. I’m honestly glad to have a friend in this crowd of enemies. I don’t know why I thought coming to this event could ever be described as a good idea.
I wanted to make a point: that I could belong. Instead, I think I proved the opposite. So far at least. Kari as my drinking partner is helping.
Tyadin would have stuck with me, but I had to go all broody and lost him to hide in the corner like a coward, and now, he’s off schmoozing with a few lovely fae ladies.
“One year. Nothing impressive. I rushed a sorority but lost interest quickly. I faked my death in my sophomore year to come back home. That was shortly after my brother died, and I became the new heir to the Crystal Court.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
She waves it off. “We weren’t close. He was nearly a hundred years older.”
I nod awkwardly, unsure what to say to that.
“So, how’s Rev’s mission going?” She smiles knowingly.
I shrug. “It’s classified.”
“So, you’re saying youdon’tknow anything about it?” She eyes me.
I roll my eyes.
“I’m just curious. Has he made his trip into the Schorchedlands already? I know it’s all hush-hush. Most of the world just assumed once a champion was chosen that we were all saved. I know it’s a lot more complicated than that.”
“I don’t know why you think he’d tell me details about it.” I watch Rev chatting casually with a group of Glistening Court royals.
Kari smirks. “I was never quite sure what to make of your relationship.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s always been obsessed with you. Not in a good way, of course. He talked about killing you so often it got annoying, to be honest. Then once you saved him during the trials...” She pauses. “I don’t know, but obviously he changed. A lot.”
“It’s complicated.”
She gives me a half smirk, eyes glistening. “I bet.” She watches Rev from across the room too. His eyes dart toward us but then away quickly. “It’s too bad your banishment will be reinstated when this is all over.”
I purse my lips. I hadn’t considered that my presence could be a tell. The only reason my punishment was put on hold was in case Rev failed. It allowed me to continue using resources inside the realm to prepare in case I must take his place inside the Schorchedlands. So, if I’m here, it means there’s still a chance Rev can fail.
“You could have found yourself with a crown on your head otherwise,” she says.
“What?” I nearly spit my drink out.
She smiles. “As I said, I never quite understood it. But there’s one obvious explanation—he’s in love with you.” She shrugs, her tone so light and casual I can’t even comprehend her words.
I choke on my wine. Kari pats my back lazily.
“No... I—-What?”
She chuckles, but her face falls back into a serious expression.
“You’re insane.” I could tell her we’re mates. This magical connection explains all of those things, but it doesn’t mean he’s in love. It just means all of his feelings about me are strong, whether they’re hate or admiration or caring. Love... no. It’s definitely not love. “But either way, it doesn’t matter.”
She nods slowly. “Doomed love. It’s tragic.”
I spit out a bitter laugh.
“I don’t know what happened between you two during the trials, but it became clear it was more than just mutual survival when he healed that girl. It... it didn’t make any sense for him to do that unless he cared for you on a deep level.”
