“There is no other way,” I snap. “Zerra is trying to kill me, and I don’t know how long we have before she catches up with us. If I die, then the magic of Heart will be gone and then you’re all at risk too.”

“What happens to it?” D’Arcy asks. “Magic cannot just disappear.”

“It goes to all of you.”

I say the words matter-of-factly, knowing I have to tell them the truth.

“So you want us to save magic for you when we could all become more powerful? Do you think we’re fools?” D’Arcy challenges.

“Is that really what you want?” I ask, standing up. “Is that really the queen you want to be? Do you want to be like Rion? Or Zerra? Like my grandmother? Aren’t you listening to what I’m saying? This isn’t about just me or Heart!” D’Arcy blinks her big black eyes. It’s the slightest reaction, but I sense my words reach something inside her.

“What will you do when she is dead? How do you plan to avoid becoming Zerra? What will happen to Ouranos if you do not take her place?”

Any of the people in this room could take her place, but I still can’t tell them. I can’t let anyone else shoulder this load on my behalf. I will find another way. I hope. I open my mouth and close it. “I don’t know . . . I haven’t figured that part out yet.”

She sniffs sharply and folds her pale arms.

“I want to save my people. I want to fix what my grandmother did, and I want . . . I want to bond with my mate.” A knot swells in my throat. “You lost your mate. You understand why I cannot give him up.”

Her expression turns icy, and maybe that was the wrong thing to say.

“I want no part of this,” she says and stands up.

She stops in front of me and Nadir, looking down her slim nose.

“A mate bond is a wonderful thing, but your happiness doesn’t come before everyone else.”

“That’s not only what this is about!” I shout.

“Isn’t it?” she asks with a tip of her head.

“I know you don’t want to be responsible for the death of these settlements. What if this were your home?”

D’Arcy’s jaw hardens as she quickly shakes her head. Without another word, she storms out of the room. I watch her leave, my heart deflating in my chest. If we don’t have everyone, then we have nothing.

“I will destroy the ark of The Woodlands, and I’ll come with you to The Aurora,” Cedar says a moment later. “Elswyth should return home to watch over the kingdom, but I won’t let you face Rion alone. I owe this to my brother and to all of you for failing you twelve years ago.”