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Queen Signe considered his suggestion for only a moment before hiking up her skirts and trudging into the pond. As the queen had suggested, instead of submerging herself to reach into the depths, she toed the bluish light with her foot until it was in shallower waters. She was standing beside Kestrel when she finally bent down to retrieve it, and once it was lifted from the waters, the blue glow was even more luminous. It made the queen’s dark eyes flash like storm clouds, bolts of lightning bursting from their centers.

“Yes,” the queen said dreamily, gazing deep into the blue orb. Kestrel couldn’t tear her gaze away from it either, the bright hue both blinding and mesmerizing. “I suppose you were right, Leighton. Apparently, I was meant to claim this power, and honestly, the last thing this realm needs are two saviors anyway.”

Without further warning, the queen shoved Kestrel.

Her hand struck Kestrel so hard, it felt as if those bolts of lightning that had been reflected in Signe’s eyes had struck her instead.

Kestrel’s body was sent hurtling into the muck, into too many painful memories.

She was back at the Fortress of Thirst, Leighton pushing her inside and cementing his horrifying betrayal. Then she was falling into the oasis again, the water folding around her, dragging her down.

Distantly Kestrel heard people yelling, but with her head underwater, she couldn’t make out what anyone was saying, let alone who they were. The water splashed into her mouth and the panic began to swell. She flailed her arms and legs, seeking purchase, convinced that she had nothing to kick off from, no ground to touch, just like in the oasis.

But the water around her was still shallow enough that once it settled, she realized her head was just barely above the surface.

Kestrel could breathe.

Everything was alright—mostly.

As the voices continued to roar and blur, the last few moments replayed in her mind. She struggled to make sense of them. This was heraunt—her kin. What reason did she have to push her like that? Unless it had been an accident? But no matter how much Kestrel wanted to believe that, she couldn’t. There had been blazing intent behind the queen’s eyes, scathing hatred in her tone.

“The last thing this realm needs are two saviors…”

Was that what this was about? Queen Signe was worried that Kestrel would be credited with saving everyone from the curse while she wasn’t? Had this been her plan all along? For Kestrel to lead her to the answer, just so she could steal it away from her and claim her own glory? She wished the queen had just asked; Kestrel didn’t need the glory. All she wanted was Darius’ release?—

And then with sinking dread, she realized that likely was no longer an option, if it ever had been.

Blinking the murky water out of her eyes, Kestrel stared up at the queen.

With an indifferent flick of her wrist, Queen Signe said to Elora, “Finish her like we discussed, and your freedom is yours.”

Kestrel felt her heart sinking even lower into the depths. Felt her world crumbling around her. Especially when she searched Elora’s face for signs that the queen was lying. They hadn’t talked about anything. Surely Elora had never planned to lay a finger upon her.

But the dull hue of her hollow eyes said it all.

Elorahadplanned on killing her. That was what the queenhad instructed her to do. It was likely why they had been spending so much time together, Elora trying to get close to her, to befriend her, just so…what? So it would hurt more? So that if she had to come pounding on Kestrel’s door in the middle of the night, Kestrel wouldn’t hesitate to welcome her inside?

Kestrel’s eyes were welling with tears and a heaviness pressed on her chest. She almost wanted to sink. Almost wanted the waters to carry her away—anywhere but here.

“What is this?” Leighton’s growl was low and ominous. “This was never part of the deal!”

“That was always part of the deal, young prince,” said the queen with detached grace. “You think I want my sister’s daughter roaming around the realms, free to unleash another curse upon us all?”

And for whatever reason, that was the part that finally shattered her.

Kestrel quietly sobbed. Sobbed for her mother and that magic she had lost control of. Sobbed for Darius, the man who raised her and who would now be condemned to death. Sobbed for herself. For her foolish heart for always trusting the wrong people. Always being lied to and betrayed.

Except…Elora wasn’t moving, she realized.

If she intended to kill Kestrel, now would be the time. Kestrel was vulnerable. Blubbering like a fool. Meanwhile, the princess and her dark magic were untethered by hailstone. Power was at her command. All she would have to do was take the few steps toward Kestrel and press one finger upon her skin.

But she was standing firm.

The dull hue of her magenta eyes had started to glow, to burn like gemstones caught between embers. And Kestrel wanted to believe the hope fracturing her heart, wanted to trust that Elora had never—would never intend to harm her. But hertrust had been broken one too many times. She could no longer dole it out freely.

From where Leighton stood between the queen and princess, he drew his sword and raised it at Elora’s chest.

Kestrel screamed for him to stop.