Page 13 of A Crown of Fates

I don’t want to be spiteful or think I don’t belong here just because I’m afraid. I want to understand what’s happening and I want to feel good about whatever choice I make once I do.

Now, it’s time for me to do what I should’ve done hours ago—call my sister.

There’s a phone on the bedside table. I pick up the black receiver, and assuming it works like the one back home, I press zero for the switchboard, something we only need to use when calling outside our own territories.

“How may I assist you this evening, Princess Estee?” asks a sweet, elderly voice.

“Please connect me with the Polaris castle.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

The line hums, and I wait patiently. After a few clicking noises, my sister’s voice shrieks through the receiver.

“I freaking told you so!” Isla’s breathless with excitement. “Tell me everything—unless you don’t have time, and if you don’t, that’s fine—but gods, Estee, I’m just so freaking happy for you.”

Well, this is going to be awkward.

“So, I take it you heard that King Theo announced me as his mate.” I try to keep my tone light and teasing.

I can practically hear her eyeroll by the huff she makes. “Everyone knows. It’s all anyone can talk about. Selaris hasn’t had a kingandqueen in centuries. Now,you’regoing to be that queen.”

Her joy is almost infectious. For a moment, I wish this was a different conversation, one where I shared her excitement. But I need to tell her the truth. At least the pieces I do know right now.

“Listen—”

“What did you do?” Isla’s voice switches from excitement to sternness so quickly it almost makes me laugh.

Oh, she knows me so well.

“I might’ve played a part, but this isn’t all me,” I say earnestly. “I’m doing my best to keep an open mind now, but there’s something going on here.”

“Like what?” she presses, her voice lowering with concern.

I twist the cord attached to the phone between my fingers. “I don’t know, but let me start from the beginning, and you tell me what you think.”

I recount everything: arriving and seeing Elyn unexpectedly, being led to my own room with Drea, the brief and confusing flutter when I saw Theo for the first time, the confrontation in his office, and finally, the letting-go ceremony. I pour everything out, keeping nothing back.

“Holy hell, sis.” Isla exhales like she’s been holding her breath the entire time. “I don’t even know what to say except that I’m sorry I’m not there with you. I’ll get on the next ship and?—”

I stop her right there. “I’ve got this. You’re a newly crowned queen, and you’ve only just gotten Asher back. Enjoy this time. Stay with the pack. I promise to let you know if I feel like things are getting out of hand.”

“I don’t like that you’re by yourself, though,” she says with a huff. “Maybe I’ll send Declan. I’d ask Noen, but we still haven’t heard from him and?—”

“I have Drea,” I say before she can spiral over our childhood best friend who took off after wrongly being blamed for our murders. “If she’s not enough, you’ll be my first call, but let me figure out if my resistance is the biggest problem here or if the staff is right and there’s something off with Theo.”

She tries to apologize, but I don’t want to hear anything of the sort. “I love you, Isla. That’s all that matters. I’ll be fine.”

Silence stretches between us then she speaks softly, earnestly. “Youwillbe fine. You always have been. I’m so proudof you, Estee. You’re strong—mind and body. You’re brave, and you’re kind, and you have so much love to give.”

A chuckle escapes me, though it’s tinged with something raw. “I don’t know about the ‘kind’ part.”

“I do,” Isla insists. “Look at how you befriended Drea. You could have sent her to be with the others, but you kept her close and are still trying to protect her. You have the biggest heart even if you’re afraid to share it with people who might hurt you if you allow them fully in.”

And that’s the crux of it, isn’t it? Letting someone in. Opening myself up to be left scarred. Regardless of whatever Theo’s secrets are, if I let him in, if I accept that he could be my mate, and then everything falls apart… That’s a kind of pain I don’t want to face.

“Thank you,” I murmur, leaning back against the bedframe and closing my eyes. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“That’s right,” she replies softly. “No matter what, you’re an incredible person with so much to offer. Nothing and no one can take that away from you. Just remember, I’m only a phone call and ship ride away. And if Theo hurts you, well, Asher will tear him to pieces, because anything that hurts you hurts me. You’re not alone, Estee.”

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