Page 76 of Queen of Ever

‘What the hell.Tarian?’she demanded, arms folded.‘I thought we’re supposed to be working together.You completely steamrolled me.’

‘Because we aren’t considering what they’re asking.We can fight with them, but challenging either Moriana or Solas for the throne is out of the question.’

‘You’re saying we, but you’re trying to make the decision on your own.It’s my decision to make.’

‘It’s not up for discussion.’

‘Where do you get off thinking you can dictate my choices for me?’

‘I’m not dictating your choices.I’ve agreed to stay here and help them.We can fight together, and we’ll do it with magic and strategy and using the terrain and we won’t need to rely on the right of challenge to do it.’

‘But if I could prevent these fae from dying—’

‘Don’t ask me to stand by and let them use you as their martyr,’ I snapped, temper finally shattering.‘Do you know what a challenge for the throne means?You’re locked in.Encased in a shell of magic.Just you and whoever you’ve engaged.I’d have to stand there and helplessly watch you get slaughtered before my eyes without being able to do anything about it.’

‘Why are you so sure I’d lose?’she asked, glaring up at me, mouth drawn tight.Angry.

‘Because I know who you’re up against.I know what they can do.I know whatshecan do.If you think for a second I will let them serve you up to Moriana, you don’t know me very well.I will drag you out of here kicking and screaming and we can leave them all to suffer their fate instead.I don’t care if you hate me for it.At least you’ll be alive.’

She didn’t speak for a long moment, caught tight in this standoff with me, all heat and tension and resentment.Then she loosed a breath.‘You’re afraid.’

‘I’m fucking terrified.’I took a hold of her face in both my hands, held her jaw as I scanned her gaze, all too easily conjuring what it would be like having to stand by, powerless, as Moriana made her suffer.Knowing how much more she would make her suffer just knowing I was watching.‘Maybe that’s what the prophecy really means.That you’ll lead me to my downfall by making me watch you die.That I’d take down the Unseelie throne with me.Because I don’t know what the real limits of my magic are.But if you died, I’m sure I’d find out, and who knows what would fall around me.Don’t make me lose you.’

There was so much misery in her eyes as she stared back at me.I could see the conflict of it, the weighing up of the unknown costs of a battle against the cost of my suffering.I didn’t waver, letting her bear the weight of it, because I needed her to make the choice to refuse Sylara’s plan.

‘Please, Imogen,’ I said, softer now.‘I’ll get on my knees and beg you if that’s what it takes.We’ll win this another way.’

Finally, she swallowed.Nodded.‘Alright.I won’t do it.’

Leaning my forehead against hers, I released a sigh of relief.‘Thank you.’

‘That doesn’t mean we aren’t going to talk about the way you tried to make that decision for me, though.’

‘That’s fine.Be angry with me.Dress me down for being a prick.Just stay alive.’

I softened as she did, relief that she’d agreed loosening the strangle of fear and anger until I could breathe again.She drew back but took my hand, entwining her fingers through mine.

‘I want to fight with them,’ she said, speaking each word clearly, like she wanted to be sure there were no misunderstandings.

‘Okay.’

‘No, I want to fight with themmyself.Alongside them.I don’t want you trying to stash me away in some safe place when the conflict starts.If I could potentially end this whole thing on my own and I’m choosing not to, then the least I want is to say that I didn’t abandon them to die so I can live.’

I scanned her face, reading her resolve.‘Only if you promise not to leave my side.’

‘Alright,’ she agreed.

‘And they don’t push you to do extreme things with your magic.You’ve only just started to learn to use it.I know they think you’re the solution to all their problems, but they don’t get to put you in unnecessary danger.’

‘Tarian, we’re talking about a battle.It’ll all be unnecessary danger.’

‘And you’re not a trained fighter,’ I shot back.‘You shouldn’t be in a battle in the first place.So you’ll not be treated like some kind of weapon.’She squeezed my hand, reminding me that we were on the same side even as she glowered at me.I blew out a breath.‘Sorry.I don’t like this.’

‘I know you don’t.But they’re scared too, okay?Just remember that.They have people they want to protect too.’She offered me a half smile, though there was too much worry in it to be entirely convincing.‘So the deal is, you don’t yell at Queen Sylara and I’ll tell them I won’t challenge Moriana or Solas for the throne.’

I tried to focus on the relief that she wouldn’t be guilted into invoking a challenge.At least the other dangers I could be there to protect her from.‘Deal.’

‘Then let’s go back and plan a battle.’

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