"So fuck her," I told him.
Both of them looked over. "What?" Aspen asked.
"Double down, Tor," I told him. "Hold my beer, right? Do it different. I don't know how, but we can figure that out."
Aspen was watching me intently. I saw it, but right now, I couldn't take my attention from Torian. He was the one cracking. He needed us to stand with him, and maybe even to lift him up. Somehow, we had to make sure he was really ok.
"The Mad Queen made you to be a thing, but there has to be a way you can stop that, can't you?"
"You could take my magic," he grumbled. "That's what I wanted. Even just the Wint-"
A rap at the door cut him off.
"Asp?" That was Keir's voice.
I rushed over and opened the door. In the hall, Wilder, Hawke, and Keir were all waiting. They looked worried, and more so when they saw the three of us inside. Without hesitation, Wilder pushed his way in.
"What's going on?" he demanded. "You said an emergency. My teacher's pissed, but we're here."
And Aspen smiled.
It was a look of such hope, but I didn't understand why. Torian was spiraling, and bad, but his sister looked at her duke with so much relief and happiness in her eyes. As a smile began to take over her mouth, she glanced over to Torian again, then back.
Hawke and Keir came in, giving me confused looks. That made me feel a little better, because I was pretty sure I'd missed something really important. The moment I closed the door, Aspen let go of her brother and rushed to grab Wilder's hand.
"You're a duke," she said.
"Yeah?" Wilder sounded very confused. I felt that way too, so it made sense.
"And both of your parents were noble."
He nodded. "They were. Dad was technically Oberon's third cousin. Mom was from three different lines of Winter nobility. Why?"
"You're not taking his title, are you?" Hawke asked.
Aspen didn't bother answering. If anything, her smile grew even more. "Wilder Reed, Duke of Avalon, I hereby name you as my heir, contingent on any future children I may have. In the event the Winter Crown falls from my head, I decree that it shall be put upon yours as long as you will rule the power of Winter fairly and evenly. Do you agree to this?"
Wilder looked at Torian, then Hawke, and swallowed hard. "Asp?"
"Say yes," I whispered.
"But it doesn't work like that," Wilder pointed out.
"I don'tcare!" Aspen snapped. "I don't fucking care.Iam the queen. I shouldn't be, and the crown should still be on Faerie, but it's not. I am thequeen,and if magic can change in people, then so can inheritance. I decree this, and maybe, just maybe, it might even work. Torian doesn't want to be my heir, but I need one, Wilder. I need one I can trust, so that leaves you. You're myonlyoption, and isn't it worth trying at least? If this could save my brother's life, then can't you at leasttry?"
For a long time, Wilder looked at her. I could see him thinking it out. Once, he glanced at Torian, but just when I was sure he'd refuse, he swallowed hard - then nodded. "Ok,yes. I vow that if ever you fall and I stand, I will accept the responsibility of the crown and rule Winter with warmth and hospitality, as our season deserves."
And from below me, darkness began to grow. The light in the room dimmed as darkness rolled up the walls like waves crashing. A moment later, Shadow stood, forming as it grew taller. This time, when it opened its eyes, they were back to mere gaps of no-shadow.
"What the..." Keir breathed.
Ignoring him, Shadow reached over to Wilder and touched his brow. I saw nothing happen at all, but on the other side of it, Torian sighed, his body finally relaxing.
"I felt that," he breathed. "I don't know what it did, but I definitely felt it."
"I think it just changed the line of succession," Hawke said, sounding awed. "Actually fucking changed it!"
"Court!" Jack cawed. "Queen!" Then he looked at Torian, twisting his head. "Prince?"
