Lina put up her hand, halting Bri. “I just need to know. Do you want all of me or not? Because this”—she waved to the circlet around her head and down her flowing gown—“all of this is part of who I am. And I’m willing to share it with you . . . but I won’t give up my crown, Bri. I can’t. I was meant to rule the West.”

Bri stiffened. “And what if I was meant to rule the East?”

“Were you? Do you really believe that?” Lina’s eyes brimmed with damning tears. “Or are you just too afraid to love me?”

Lina’s words cracked Bri open.

“You’re not like me, Lina. You are made of all the things that are good in this world. You have such a good heart and you so badly want what’s best for your people that you’re willing to sacrifice everything for them.” Bri shook her head and Lina’s shoulders deflated, the words seeming to crash into her. “I understand now why you picked the name Airev.” She looked down at her clenched fists, her voice dropping an octave. “You deserve someone that will give you everything, someone who will sacrifice just as much for you as you do for them, someone like Tem.”

“You think Tem will be better for me than you?” Lina let out a bitter laugh. “How chivalrous. One day you’ll know that chivalry is nothing more than thinly veiled cruelty.”

“He loves you and—”

“And you don’t?” Her voice cracked and the sound was like a knife between Bri’s ribs.

“I didn’t say that. I just—”

The broken, hopeless look in Lina’s eyes destroyed Bri. It ached deeper than anything Bri had ever felt before—knowing she was the reason for Lina’s pain.

“My court is falling apart. I need someone now,” Lina shouted, tears welling in her eyes. “I was foolish to rush you into that spot.”

Bri’s eyes flared. “So you just needed me to fill that role then?”

“I’m not talking about you being my mistress. I’m talking about you being my wife!” Lina screamed, storming past Bri to the door. “I wanted to share everything with you. Gods, if you think you’re just filling a role, you’re even more of a fool than I am.”

She threw open the door, revealing the two wide-eyed servants waiting in the hallway. “Take my trunk to the carriage,” Lina said, pointing back into the room and wiping her eyes. “I’m leaving. Now.”

Bri followed Lina into the hall, signaling the guard posted at the stairwell. “Get three of your best,” Bri ordered. “They’ll accompany the Princess back to Swifthill.” Lina opened her mouth to protest but Bri said, “Cole is still out there. Rua would happily send you with this protection, considering you’re leaving me behind.”