Some of the tension in Serina’s shoulders eased. But she was still wary. “What are his intentions? I will do whatever I can to protect these women—”

“He knows that.” Nomi glanced over at Val. “Would you give us a few minutes, please? I need to speak with my sister.”

He kissed Serina’s cheek. “I’ll be right inside,” he murmured.

As soon as he was gone, Nomi took Serina’s hands. A strange light shone in her eyes. “Malachi doesn’t want to be Superior, Serina. He has told me to choose who rules. Because… well, we’ve led a coup. He says that means the country is ours.”

Serina opened her mouth. Shut it again. She could think of nothing to say. It was entirely possible she was the one having a break from reality.

Nomi smiled at her, so brightly, all her love shining in her eyes. “Serina, the country is yours.”

Serina started to shake her head, but Nomi continued, inexorable. “You are Viridia’s next warrior queen, just like the first, Queen Vaccaro. You raised an army. You took the palazzo. This is your victory. You will be queen, and you will make this country into what it should be… a place where women aren’t bought and sold. Where they aren’t punished for reading or for using money; where they can earn their own wages. A place with no Graces, and no Mount Ruin either.”

Serina could see the future written so clearly on Nomi’s face. Her sister was there already, living in a world where women had as many rights and choices as men. That was where her serenity came from.

And it was that moment, that expression on Nomi’s face, that reminded Serina of who Nomi was. What she wanted.

Serina looked her sister in the eye. “Nomi, you’re in love with Malachi.”

Nomi’s beatific smile faded. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“It’s true, isn’t it?” Serina pressed. She needed to hear Nomi say it. She couldn’t do this—she couldn’t suggest what she wanted to suggest—unless she was sure.

“Even if I was, it doesn’t matter,” Nomi replied, emotions warring on her face. “This is about all the women of Viridia.”

“But you can be his queen,” Serina said, reaching for her sister’s hands.

Nomi’s brows rose. Shock slackened her jaw. “What? No. This is your victory, Serina. You should be queen.”

“I don’t want to be queen,” Serina said gently, and felt the truth of the words in her bones. “What I want—what I’ve always wanted—is to protect you. And I will.”

Mount Ruin had made her into a warrior, not a queen. Her place was by Nomi’s side, keeping her safe. Serina had always cared more about protecting Nomi than anything else. That would never change.