Oh, how wrong she is. She is going to be my enemy for life, if only for making me undergo the excruciating affair offeelingsomething.
Even now ... even as exhausted and drained as I am, I feel these emotions uncurling, as if drawn to her, as if being brought back to life.
It’s disgusting.
She needs to never come back. She needs to learn she’s way out of her depth.
I drop the vial into my sink and watch her wince as it shatters.
Then, I say, “Get out.”
Fury radiates. Good. I’m glad I make her angry. I wait for her to leave,to just leave me the fuck alone, but she doesn’t.
Instead, she leans forward. Toward me. I hiss and step back, as if she is venomous.
Sheisvenomous. She is ruinous.
I can’t look at her. Not without feeling myself slowly losing control. I turn to leave, and her voice stops me.
“What do you want, then?” she asks. “What can I give you?”
I tense.
For a moment, I wonder about all the things I now suddenlywant, even though we, as rulers, are not supposed to wantanything.
You can give me everything, I think, at the same time as,You can take everything.
I want her out of my head. I want her in my bed. I want every one of her thoughts. I want to never see her for as long as I live.
Instead, I say, “You are incapable of giving me anything of value.”
Except for my sanity back, maybe.
I feel her rush of anger, mixed with scalding shame.
I both pride and hate myself for being the root of it.
Then, she says something that shocks me. “Then let’s settle it with a duel. If I win, all ill will between us is forgotten. We can begin anew at the Centennial.”
That makes me turn around.
I almost laugh. Does she have any idea who she’s just propositioned? Does she have any idea how many people have died by my blade?
If she did, she would never invite it to meet hers.
Also ... she assumes I am going to the Centennial? When I never have before?
Does she even know that?
I received the invitation from thekingnot long ago. I promptly turned it to ashes. Why would I possibly attend a gathering of people who almost certainly want to kill me?
“Only a fool would believe they could best me in a duel,” I say, because it’s true. She doesn’t know Lark Crown, her ancestor, is still alive, buried beneath Nightshade. She thinks her death will kill everyone in her realm. Which makes her offer incredibly reckless.
Her desperation makes me curious.
Could her people be in as much danger as mine?
Clearly, she is attending the Centennial. Clearly, she believes I’m attending. She doesn’t want me to be her enemy there.
