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It’s probably both

"Should this rebellious streak take hold," he continues, "it will end in bloodshed and a divided nation, soeline and Mareena will help do that, for the sake of us all"

Mur’s words Some nod, others look cross at the Queenstrial choice, but no one voices their dissent No one speaks up No one would listen if they did

S Tiberias bows his head He has won and he knows it "Strength and power," he repeats The motto echoes out from him, as every person says the words

The words trip over n inwith all the others In that th and power"

I suffer through the feast, watching but not seeing, hearing but not listening Even the food, more food than I’ve ever seen, tastes plain inwhat’s probably the best meal of my life, but I can’t I can’t even speak when Maven murmurs tofine," he says, but I try to ignore him Like his brother, he wears the same metal bracelet, the flame maker It’s a firerous, a burner, a Silver

Sitting at a table old liquid until my head spins, I feel like a traitor What are ht? Do they even knohere I a for me to come home?

Instead, I’m stuck in a room full of people ould kill me if they knew the truth And the royals of course, ould kill me if they could, who probably will killMare for Mareena, a thief for a crown, cotton for silk, Red for Silver This ht I’e? What else will I lose?

"That’s enough of that," Maven says, his voice swioblet, replacing it with a glass of water

"I liked that drink" But I gulp down the water greedily, feeling s "You’ll thank me later"

"Thank you," I snap as snidely as possible I haven’t forgotten the way he looked aton the bottoaze is softer, calmer, more like Cal’s

"I’m sorry about earlier today, Mareena"

My name is Mare "I’m sure you are," co toward me We’re seated side by side, with the rest of the royals, at the high table "It’s just--usually younger princes get to choose One of the few perks of not being the heir," he adds with a terribly forced s what to say I should feel sorry for hi myself to feel any kind of pity for a prince

"Yeah, well, you wouldn’t It’s not your fault"

He looks back to the feasting hall, casting his gaze out like a fishing line I wonder what face he’s looking for "Is she here?" I irl you would have chosen?"

He hesitates, then shakes his head "No, I didn’t have anyone in mind But it was nice to have the option of a choice, you know?"