“But—” Eddard starts.
“No buts,” Grixis deadpans.
I want to argue with him, but I feel weak.
Without saying a word, Grixis gets up from his seat and exits the cave. Ulof and Eddard follow, their heads hung low. I sit and think for a time, wondering what to do next.
The women are staying. I was wrong in my assumption regarding their ability to survive a pregnancy, and because I was careless, I hurt Asha.
Who is, shockingly, a princess.
I should have known, for her ethereal beauty captivated me even when I thought her weak. It was one of the reasons I was so angered by her presence.
And truly, her title matters not, as I would crave her even if she was of the lowest seed.
She is my greatest love; my cruelest curse.
And in a handful of years, Princess Kasmina will be here.
It would be foolish of me to dwell on what I cannot have. Of the small Penticari woman who has proven herself to be strong.
Yet I cannot stop my heart from racing at the prospect of kissing her one more time. Of holding her. Of loving her.
And maybe, if brave Grixis can take such a risk, I can too.
24
ASHA
“I’m sorry!” Nori pleads, following me all the way back to the longhouse with Meg and Elena. Araelya stormed off to where the hunters meet, looking angered by what was revealed.
I don’t blame her.
Amber, who’s sprawled out on her bed, sits up as I storm into the big room. A few others stir, annoyed to be woken before going to afternoon chores.
“You know I’m not good with words or knowing how to say things.” Nori’s voice wavers and I see that her hands tremble. I hate that she’s like this, and every other day, I’d fall all over myself to pull her from her torment.
But not today.
“Just leave me alone,” I snap, walking toward the other end of the longhouse.
Elena and Meg are quiet, but Nori speaks again. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
I spin to look at her. “Why didn’t you tell me before? About my mother…” Deep in my mind, I see her blue eyes; I hear her loving words. So close, yet never really.
“Back in Penticar, I knew that if I did, it could lead to your death and mine.” Her face tilts down toward the wooden floor. “And here, I figured so much time had passed, there was no point in bringing it up.”
“I hate my father!”
“You should.”
Tears spill down my cheeks. “It’s not fair! I never cared to be a princess—it cost me everything.”
“Princess?” is muttered by a few of those who are resting, and heads poke up from bed.
Meg comes up alongside me and wraps me in a hug. “I’m here for you.”
“What do you mean by princess?” comes Amber’s sneering voice.
