possession of the other high-born Factions? We’d never get our hands on them without Ethan’s help.
“Swear you won’t turn Ethan in, and agree that the White Rose no longer works for you. Otherwise, I’ll blast this thing all over Dolinska,” I snarled. “And you’ll be totally fucked.”
Gabby’s lip curled. It looked like it took all she had to spit out, “Fine. I won’t blow Nowak’s little secret, so long as you keep quiet about mine.”
She waved a hand casually, like she couldn’t give a damn. “And I release you from your contract as the White Rose. You were a shitty vigilante anyway. You never could do what I asked— stop the Phantom for good. Seems like he cares more about that mask than he does about you.”
My heart sank with her words. I always thought Gabby could no longer hurt me, but then she dug at the parts of me that were the softest... all of which included Ethan.
I turned my back on her. Not a smart thing to do, because I’m sure she was always looking for an opportunity to shove a knife in it, but fuck her. As I hobbled out of the room, Gabby cried out, “You’re looking a little stiff there, Sosna. You and your mate have an argument?”
Gods, I couldn’t stand her. That woman always found a way to break more pieces off of me. It was like I was a fragile little doll when it came to my mate. Easily shattered.
I didn’t want to be like that anymore. I desired to become iron— something so dangerous all fae would fear me.
I took a carriage back to the university. My eyes welled with tears and my heart grew heavy, because I knew what had to be done, even if it killed me to do it. As much as I hated to give an ultimatum, Ethan had to make a choice— the Phantom, or me.
I had a horrible knot in my gut that already knew what he was going to say.
Whatever he decided, I resolved I had to be okay with it. I’d been battling for us, for our relationship, for ages. Now all the dark secrets and nastiness was in the light. I knew who Ethan was now at his core, and I wasn’t sure if we could fix what had been broken.
I was the Worldweaver. My people were depending on me. As Milonna’s champion, I was the only one who could save the fae from a horrible fate.
Ethan would not get in the way of that. I wouldn’t let him. No relationship on earth was more important than the lives of thousands.
In this chess game of royals and betrayal, I had thought myself the queen. I was wrong. I was a pawn, easily sacrificed by those who moved pieces around the board. I should’ve seen that from the beginning. But I was wiser now, and wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Since I’d arrived at Arcanea University, I’d given up my life to fight for Ethan. I’d sacrificed everything to chase after him and keep us together, despite all the secrets we were hiding. I barely knew who I was anymore because of it. In the fight to love him, I lost myself and who I was in the process.
I would not lose myself again. From this moment on, I fought for myself.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ethan
It seemed no matter what we did, Gabby and Elijah were always five steps ahead.
I paced angrily in the courtyard while the others watched me. Odette sat by the water and dipped her fingertips into the pool, transfixed by the movement. Delmare and Kiara had taken a seat on the stone bench, and Theo and Alexei were talking in soft tones in the corner, sending glances at me every so often.
Stefan leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, giving me the dirtiest look he ever could. I ignored him. I knew I’d screwed up tonight. He didn’t need to rub it in.
“Where is she?” I raged. “She should be here by now.”
“Calm yourself. You’re rampaging around like a beast,” Stefan said. He was quite fed up with my behavior.
“Can you blame me?” I whirled on him. “This night has been a disaster.”
“You were out of control!” Stefan pushed off the pillar and got in my face. “I told you this would happen, and now Emma has suffered the consequences. You hurt her!”
“Don’t you think I know that? I want to die for what I did!”
“How do we know you’re not going to