I roll my eyes, relieved we’ve both slipped back into the roles we’re comfortable in, though I have to bury my hurt that he let the feelings and heat between us go so quickly. I’m nothing more than an attempted conquest, and with the rejection, he’s moved on as if nothing were different between us. I shouldn’t feel this way, shouldn’t expect anything different, especially since I’m the one who said no. But the female inside of me, the person who isn’t a Queen and isn’t the most powerful fae alive and doesn’t have the weight of the world and a prophecy on her shoulders… That person wishes it could be more. Despite my hurt, this is for the best. His reaction—and my own—only prove that exploring anything between us would be dangerous for Thayaria and for me. I move the conversation forward quickly, hoping to put all of this behind us.

“I mean about the rebels. I want you to convince them to attack the palace, attack me, instead of the people of Thayaria. Tell them there are stores of thayar in the palace if you have to. I will not—cannot—have them attacking innocent citizens again. I’ll set myself as bait.” If the leader of the rebellion has once again clawed his way out of my grasp, the only acceptable outcome is for me to bear the consequences. I will allow no one else to pay for my mistakes.

Thorne stiffens. “Laurel,” he protests, but I cut him off.

“You have only seen a fraction of my power, Hawthorne.” Again, I think I see hurt flash through his features at my return to his given name, but I ignore it. “I’m more than capable of defending myself. They won’t harm me, but I need them to think they can. We can make up vulnerabilities I have that you’ve discovered. We’ll do whatever we need to do to keep their attention on me.”

He only nods, though his expression stays wary as he looks down at me. “I’ll do what I can. Their leader—Krantz is his name—something is off about him. He gives me a bad feeling. But I’ll come up with a way to persuade him. We’re allies, after all.” Another wink, another sign he’s put the conversation about feelings behind us, where it belongs.

“Thank you. The identity and name of their leader is more than Nemesia’s and Carex’s networks of spies have uncovered. And we have a stronghold. This is information we can work with.”

“What I don’t understand is why don’t you just aerstep to Oakton now and wipe them out? You could stop this rebellion before more attacks happen.”