“I didn’t want you to love me,” she said simply. “I knew we didn’t have much time together, and I didn’t want you to miss me. I thought it’d be better for you if you never even cared at al.”

“But you changed your mind now?” I asked.

“I didn’t want to die without you knowing how much I love you.” She held out her hand to me. I took it in mine, and her skin felt cool and soft as she squeezed my hand. “I have made so many mistakes. I only wanted you to be strong so you could protect yourself. I am so very sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I forced a smile at her. “You did everything you could, and I know that.”

“I know you’l be a good Queen, a strong, noble leader, and that’s more than these people deserve,” she said. “But don’t give too much. You need to keep some of yourself for you. And listen to your heart.”

“I can’t believe you’re teling me to listen to my heart,” I said. “I never thought I’d hear that from you.”

“Don’t act on everything your heart says, but make sure you listen to it,” Elora smiled. “Sometimes your heart is right.” Elora and I stayed up talking for a long time after that. She didn’t tel me much that I didn’t already know, but in a weird way, it felt like the first real conversation we’d had. She wasn’t talking to me as a Queen talking to the Princess, but rather as a mother talking to her daughter.

Too soon, she grew tired and fel asleep. I sat with her for a while after that anyway. I didn’t want to leave her. What little time I had left with her felt precious.

19. Relief

“I don’t know, Wendy.” Tove shook his head. “I don’t want you to die, but I don’t know what else to tel you.”

“I know,” I sighed. “That’s where I’m at too.” Tove sat on the chest at the end of our bed, and I stood in front of him, chewing on my thumbnail. We were both stil in pajamas, and I’m not sure how wel either of us had slept the night before. I woke him early in the morning, when it was stil dark out, and immediately began asking him what he thought I should do about Elora’s painting.

“You stil don’t know how to kil the King,” Tove pointed out.

“And you did promise him our kingdom when you’re Queen.”

“I won’t be Queen if I’m with him.”

“But he won’t let that slide,” Tove said. “Even if you go to him, he might reject you simply because he wants the kingdom.”