Page 229 of Grim and Oro
But the doors to her balcony burst open and—
There she is.
Standing there, breathing too quickly.Breathing.
“You’re alive,” I say. The relief nearly brings me to my knees. She doesn’t even have to be mine. She might never be mine, but the mere fact that she lives proves perfection exists. It proves this world has wonders in it yet. That I ever knew her at all is the world’s greatest gift.
I remember my promises. If she loves Grim ... if she chooses him ... that’s okay. I won’t scare her with my own feelings. I won’ttell her. She’ll never know. This isn’t her burden—it’s mine. And it is a pleasure to carry it.
“Good,” I say, straightening, trying my best not to show my feelings. Trying to harden my heart that is now burning and breaking.
I distract myself with a very different burning heart. I unfurl my fingers, to show it to her.
“We did it,” she says, relief flooding her features.
We. It’s a word I wish we could share forever. But we can’t. This is almost over.
I hand it over to her, and I wonder if she knows I’m giving her two, not one.
She’s still covered in blood and dirt. I remember now what I must do. I remember that anything she feels for me will turn to hatred soon enough. The way I always knew it would. “Bathe, Isla,” I say. “Get dressed. Then meet me in the library.”
I leave, before I can say anything more.
LOVE
I love Isla Crown, and she’s about to hate me. Again.
Cleo and Azul step into the throne room, alone. A puddle of water follows Cleo, as if she doesn’t trust any of us. She won’t be left unarmed.
Azul’s face is stern. He’s worried. Of course he is.
“The curses will be brought to an end,” I say, my voice serious. I should be happy, I know, but all I feel is hollow.She will hate me for this. For meeting behind her back.
I told her she would be safe. I meant that. But I also promised she would be able to choose another realm to save ... and that ... I’m not sure if it’s a promise I can keep. Which ruler dies affects us all, especially here on the island. I need to know where the other Lightlark rulers stand.
“I would like you to tell me the realm you would choose to perish,” I say.
“Nightshade,” Azul says, without question.
I nod. Cleo hesitates. She looks from me to him. “Starling.”
I had my suspicions that Cleo injured Celeste. Now, they’re all but confirmed.
“And you, King?” Cleo asks.
I should imprison her for leaving Isla to die ... and maybe I will. But right now, we need to end the curses. We need to take the final step.
“Nightshade.”
If I expect Isla to choose Nightshade to save, I am wrong. When given the choice ... she doesn’t choose Grim.
She chooses Starling.Celeste.
And now she knows that we have all chosen Nightshade to die. She assumed I would want Cleo dead. I do ... but not enough to doom one of my realms.
If she wants to save Celeste ... then Grim must perish.
Regret spears me. Not just for making her angry, but that Grim has to die at all. I hate him. He’s my enemy.
