Chapter Fifty-Seven
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Scarlett
I was drawn to the battlements. From this height, it was easy to imagine that the palace and city below belonged entirely to me.
Soon enough, there would be no need to imagine.
‘I thought I might find you here.’
The melodic voice was instantly recognisable, but I didn’t turn. The moment I did, I would have to face the consequences of my decision. A decision that could cost me my life, and would definitely cost me him .
‘I’ve been thinking about what you said.’ The words tasted acidic in my throat. ‘About endings.’
Though our conversation had happened long ago, I knew he hadn’t forgotten. Whatever he’d Seen had rattled him – it must have, otherwise he wouldn’t have mentioned it. When it came to me, I had the sense that he feared thinking about the future at all.
And now that I had decided to act, I understood why he would be rattled. I might not be able to see the future, but there were a thousand ways my plan could go wrong. Even if it didn’t, bloodshed was a certainty.
Severin moved closer, his sandalwood scent drifting to me on the faint breeze. ‘And what did you decide?’
‘I wish there was another way,’ I said, finally turning to look at him. ‘There isn’t.’
Severin studied me for a moment. Though his expression didn’t shift, I knew I’d disappointed him. ‘Is this you talking, or is it her ?’
I didn’t answer. I didn’t want to admit the truth – that this wasn’t Zandri’s plan. It was mine .
For a moment, we simply stared at each other. The breeze ruffled his dark hair, the setting sun playing across his exposed skin. He was as devastatingly handsome as always; I should have known something so perfect was never meant to be mine.
‘I know you’ve met with Zandri multiple times this week,’ Severin continued. ‘The guards talk.’
‘She’s my mother. That’s hardly unusual.’
‘It is when she makes you so uncomfortable.’ His voice was soft, contemplative. ‘You used to avoid her whenever possible. And after everything I told you . . .’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ I said, more sharply than I’d intended. ‘Circumstances change. People change.’
‘Yes,’ he murmured. ‘They do.’ His tattooed face hardened. ‘Aric could have died.’
I closed my eyes briefly. With his Sight, I’d known this was a possibility, but I’d still hoped to avoid this conversation.
‘I told Mira it was Cassius.’
‘I know.’ His voice was lethally quiet.
‘I did it for you .’ I reached for Severin, but at the last moment I thought better of it and let my hand fall. ‘Cassius saw us together in the greenhouse. If he’d exposed our relationship, you could have been executed. Didn’t you See any of this?’
‘No,’ Severin said dangerously, ‘because you’d already decided to act. All I Saw was you bribing that stableboy.’
I tried to summon some remorse. It didn’t come.
What I had said to Severin was true – but it wasn’t the whole truth. I had done it for myself as much as him, and it was difficult to regret my choice when it had destroyed Mira and Cassius’s partnership.
Severin pulled me to him, his face suddenly inches from mine. His gaze was intent – searching.
And then his lips descended on mine.
Our bodies melded together with a passion I had never experienced with anyone else. When Severin kissed me, when he touched me, it was like he was trying to hold on to something precious and intangible – like smoke slipping through his fingers.
He poured everything into that kiss – not just emotions, but memories. I tasted the first time we met on the ice, slow and tentative and sweet, and then the times after that, when he became my protector, my confidant. The kiss grew more familiar, more heated. My fingers hooked around his vest, drawing him closer – like I had a hundred times before.
Except this time felt different. Final .
Just as I had the thought, he pulled back. His gaze was intense, and his breathing was uneven, just like mine. His kiss had been devouring, and I could still taste his love, his fear, his desperation.
‘There’s always another way, Scar. Always .’
Any doubt I felt dissolved, replaced by frustration. He’d once spoken of contenders – well, he could be a contender if he wanted. He could be fighting at my side for real power, using his abilities to help rather than cautioning me at every turn.
‘What would you have me do, Severin? Remain a pawn, to be sold into marriage and shipped away to some insignificant island kingdom?’
‘Those are your choices to make,’ he said. ‘But you once asked me what kind of ending I saw. And Scarlett, I saw a bloody one.’
My hand brushed the necklace he’d given me. It’s not a ring , he’d said, but perhaps you can think of it as a promise. Because I want to be with you, Scar. There’s nothing I want more.
Except that promise was meaningless, because I would lose him either way. And if I didn’t go through with this plan, I would lose far more than just Severin. I would lose my mother, my freedom, and any chance I had at the throne – at the power and respect that came with it.
I wrenched my arm from his, hardening my heart against the temptation he presented.
‘No revolution happens without bloodshed,’ I said coolly. ‘It isn’t my fault you don’t have the stomach for court politics.’
Severin regarded me in silence. I had always seen a better version of myself reflected in his eyes.
Right now, I saw my mother.
With as much confidence as I could muster, I swept past him. This time, he didn’t try to stop me.
Zandri was as striking as the blood-red sunset, and equally unforgiving. Her features seemed sharper than usual, cosmetics deepening her crimson lips and black, bottomless eyes.
‘Are you nervous about tomorrow?’ she asked, entering my bedchamber and locking the door behind her.
‘A little,’ I admitted, turning back to the vanity mirror. A soft breeze played through my hair, like a lover’s caress. I don’t want to disappoint you, I thought but didn’t say.
Zandri had been so pleased when I told her my plan. The way she had looked at me in that moment, the fierce appreciation burning in her eyes . . . it was the closest she had come to looking at me with true affection.
For the first time, I had truly believed that my mother was proud of me – for who I was, rather than who I could be.
‘You’re ready,’ Zandri said, crossing the room. ‘I’m certain of it.’
‘And if I fail?’
‘You won’t,’ she said – an assurance and a command.
I wished I could be so certain, but my mother seemed to take my silence for agreement.
Zandri moved closer, the black silk of her gown rustling. She rarely attended court functions, but tonight she would go in my place – making my excuses while I finalised last-minute details with the resistance. They had been surprisingly receptive to my plan – and my involvement. It almost seemed a shame that tomorrow would end with them dead or captured.
‘I have waited so long for this moment,’ she said at last, her voice thick with emotion. ‘For almost two decades, everything I’ve done has been in service to you. To teach you how to survive – and to give you the life that you deserve. But I’ve always known that in the end, you would have to be the one to claim your crown. And I truly believe you will.’
Zandri gathered me into a surprisingly warm embrace. When she pulled back, the intensity of her belief was almost frightening. Her dark eyes glittered with a fanatical certainty I had never seen before.
‘All you need to do, Scarlett,’ she murmured, gently cupping my chin with her hand, ‘is reach out and take it.’
I glanced down at my bracelet, the blood ruby vivid and gleaming in its centre – like it was eagerly awaiting the bloodshed to come.
You once asked me what kind of ending I saw. And, Scarlett, I saw a bloody one.
For a moment, I wished I was noble enough to turn and walk away. I wished I could tell my mother that I didn’t want to rule over a court of monsters and death. I wished I could lie.
But I couldn’t. And I didn’t.
Instead, I nodded and stood. As if it was a signal, the raven flew through the open window and perched on my bare shoulder. It blinked at me in the mirror, almost like it was waiting for an instruction.
And my mother smiled.