Page 77 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

Leo grins, the familiar spark of mischief returning. “Paige, you’re a woman after my own heart,” he declares. Aries snarls at that, but he laughs. “As a sister,” Leo adds pointedly.

I take a deep breath, the weight of the library’s loss still there, but for the first time, I can see a way forward. The council may think they’ve won, but they’ve underestimated us. They’ve underestimated what the people of this land are willing to do for this kingdom, for each other.

Diplomacy has its usefulness too.

20

ARIES

Morning arrives gray and quiet. Through the window opposite where I lay, the sun barely pierces through the thick clouds hanging low over Astronia’s capital city. Inside the empty barracks room where we slept, the air is damp from the cramped quarters. After leaving my mother’s quarters—and several hours of putting our plan into motion—we found a vacant barracks room where Paige and I pushed two single cots together before completely crashing. Leo passed out in a cot shoved against the opposite wall. Bingo, who refused to leave despite the small space, sleeps curled up beside Leo’s bed—snoring.

My shoulders are heavy with the weight of the decisions that will be made today. We’ve traded one battle for another. A war for a war. I ache for the day I can put down my weapons—physical or otherwise.

My mate deserves peace after everything.

But first, we have one more enemy to face.

After waking the others, we all dress quickly. Mag is already coming toward us as we emerge from our room.

“Morning,” he says. “I’d ask how you slept, but I’m pretty sure I already know.” He rolls his shoulders, and I know his cot was about the same level of comfort as mine.

Honestly, the ground might have been better.

I grunt an answer, not yet ready for small talk.

Blossom walks up, offering me and the others a mug. “Tea?”

“Bless you,” Leo says, taking his quickly as Paige does the same.

“Thanks,” Paige says.

I gulp mine without a word, grateful for its bitter warmth.

“Everyone ready then?” Mag asks after a moment.

We all share a look.

“Right then,” Mag says. “Paige, Blossom, and I know what to do. But we better get going if we’re going to pull this off.”

“You remember how to get there?” I ask.

Paige’s hand lands on my arm. “I remember,” she reassures me. “Go.”

I take her face in my hands and kiss her, audience be damned. But for once, no one cracks a single joke at our display. Not even Leo.

I give them all one last look and then hand my empty mug over. Leo does the same. Then we’re off, headed to the meeting that will decide all our futures once and for all.

We’re met by guards at the castle entrance. They are clearly waiting for us with orders to escort us directly to the throne room. In subdued silence, we make our way through the castle’s winding corridors, the familiar paths now feeling foreign, as if the very walls have turned against us. Beside me, Leo’s expression is set in a grim line.

If this doesn’t work…

Fuck. I can’t think about that.

When we reach the throne room, the guards stationed outside don’t even meet our eyes as they push open the heavydoors. It’s a subtle reminder that the power in this place no longer belongs to us. But that will change.

And these traitors will be the next to go.

Inside, the council has gathered at the far end of the space. The two thrones on the dais sit empty, and I’m glad for it. If Esma or Thorne had decided to lounge in either of them, I might not have managed to control myself long enough for our plan to work.

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