“I guess because it’s not simple,” I said, trying not to look at Dorian again. “We had some disagreements.”

“Everyone has disagreements,” she said dismissively. “Only fools think otherwise. And only fools allow their pride to hinder reconciliation, especially in these times.”

The bitter note in her voice wasn’t lost on me. “Has your kingdom suffered a lot?”

“Yes. It’s the only thing that would drive us to this course of action.” She stared off into the night, face filled with anger and frustration. “I’ve been to war, you know. And nothing I saw there matched the horror of children starving and freezing to death. Or of entire villages being slaughtered by monsters from the frozen reaches.”

I shuddered. “We’ve seen that too.”

She sighed. “I don’t like bending the knee to Varia. But I like seeing my people and king suffer less. So. Here we are. As I said, only fools refuse to put their pride aside.”

I said nothing right away. Even without talking to Orj or the others in the Hemlock party, I’d picked up on this same angry vibe—people pushed into a corner and out of options. Traveling with them was good for us because it ensured we’d get straight to Varia’s capital. Yet, I also wondered if some other good might come out of it. I’d have to tread cautiously, though.

“Have you ever thought of any other options?” I asked. “Like not giving into her?”

Alea glanced back, irritation in her dark eyes. “I already told you. It’s not worth my kingdom’s suffering.”

“No—I don’t mean bravely refusing and letting the blight go on. Have you ever thought about openly opposing her? Rebelling? Attacking?”

She didn’t answer, and I couldn’t read her thoughts. “Have you?” she asked at last. “It doesn’t seem possible.”

I was careful not to directly answer the question. “Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. Maybe it would depend on how many people were willing to work together against her.”

Various emotions played across Alea’s face, as though this was a debate she’d had with herself many times. A resigned expression fell over her, and I suspected she’d reached the same conclusion she had countless times before, the one that had led to this path.

“No. The stakes are too great.” She rose abruptly to her feet. “Forgive me. I’ve delayed your sleep too long.”

She stalked off to her own blanket without another word. I curled up in my own, more exhausted than I realized. Just before I fell asleep, I opened my eyes and caught sight of Alea. She sat on her blanket, staring at the fire, pain and indecision all over her.

Chapter 18

Chapter 18