Page 97 of Cages and Crowns
“It makes you vulnerable.” I retort.
“No. It makes you strong. It gives you something to fight for.”
“It gives you something to lose!” I scream and turn away from him.
“I will not lose you. Not again, Elaenor.” He grabs my shoulders and forces me to face him.
“I am not yours to lose.” I say softly.
“You are my sister! You have always been my weakness, even before you knew I existed. I know I may have had feelings for you, but that was natural givenwhat I was told. But now? Now you are myfamily. You are my twin and the other half of my soul. And yes, that gives me a weakness, but that gives me even more to fight for. It gives me a reason to do more than just sit here and wait for Davenport to give commands. Commands that should be coming from you, I might add.”
“He’s the king—”
“No. He’saking. You arethequeen. This is your country. Your continent. Every person in this palace and in every other kingdom, isyours. You need to start acting like it.”
“What would you have me do? Boss him around and give orders?” I slap his arms away, but he grabs me again, forcing me to stay still.
“I expect you to use your power and influence to prevent a war.”
“They don’t listen to me!”
“Make them listen!” He silent for a mere second before he opens his mouth. “Come with me.”
“What?” My brows furrow and I glare at him.
“Come. With. Me.” He repeats again, this time slowly.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he drags me towards the palace.
“You need to see what it is we are fighting for.”
Chapter Fifty-One
The Caged
I wrap a cloak around my shoulders, fastening it below my chin, before stepping out of the dressing room. Nithe is eating breakfast, his eyes looking everywhere but at me.
“Where are you going?” He asks, staring at his eggs.
“Are you asking me or your breakfast?” He sighs and then looks up at me.
“Where are you going?” He asks again.
“Enzo is taking me somewhere, getting me out of the palace for a while.” I say dryly.
“Let me come with you.” He stands and steps in my way.
“No, Nithe. I’ll be fine with him.” I put my hand up, keeping him from coming closer.
“At least take a guard.” I hold his gaze and offer him a nod before walking past himand out the door.
I find Enzo in the entryway, talking to another guard. He looks at me and smiles.
“Nithe said I should bring a guard.” I say, failing at hiding my irritation.
“Okay, anyone you’d like?” Hazel eyes and a smirk fill my brain and I fight a smile.
“Nero.”
