Our…fertility is tied to theirs.”
Oh.
My.
God.
Did these people not believe in science?
Did science not exist for them?
“I can tell you do not believe me.” Tatiana shook her head sadly. “But we are not governed by the biology humans share. There is a…an essence to us that connects us to the King and Queen. When we had a King before, families had six or eight children over the course of their lifespans.”
Good God.
“Now, we are lucky if we have two or three, but that has already begun to change. Without a King or Queen, our race will die out.”
I lifted a hand and then dropped it back to my lap as I refocused on Tatiana.
“I came here to implore you to do what the King cannot. Not because I love him. I don’t. I do not know him well enough to feel that. But because I love my Court. He could still keep you. If that is what you both wish,” she continued. I jerked. “Or he could choose a fae other than me, as long as he chooses one of us. He needs a Queen.”
Unease had rapidly spread like a weed, tangling with every part of me. I had no idea what to say. Caden knew this, knew what a risk it would be to choose me, and he still did.
That was…flattering, and also batshit insane.
“I hope that because you are a member of the Order, you will understand the danger Caden will place us in, the risk he will place all of mankind under.” Her eyes glimmered with tears. “If we fall to the Winter Court, mankind will fall next. You know that to be true. Is love really worth that?”
Looking away, I took a breath, but it seemed to go nowhere as the implication of what Tatiana claimed settled over me. Was love really worth that? Yes, screamed a selfish, not-so-tiny voice inside of me.
But the potential downfall of the entire Summer Court? And mankind?
I closed my eyes.
“I wish I was here to wish you well, but…nothing good will come to my people or to the King if he gives up his throne,” she said quietly. “So, I ask a better question. Do you love him enough to save him?”
The breath expelled out of me in a harsh cry. How could I answer that? How could I be with him if it would weaken him and put him at risk?
I already knew the answer to that.
I just couldn’t speak it aloud.
I really didn’t even want to think it.
How could I go from feeling hope to crushing dread in the matter of an hour? To having something ripped away before I even had a chance to hold it?
Because that was how it felt. Knowing what I did now, there was no way I could allow Caden to do this.
“I think…I think I need to be alone,” I said, my voice hoarse as I opened my eyes.
“I understand.” Tatiana rose. “I am sorry.”
My gaze cut to her. She turned, walking toward the door, her steps light. I started to look away as she pulled on the handle, but her startled gasp stopped me.
“Oh. Sorry!” Luce exclaimed. “I was just about to knock. Would’ve been your face had I done it a second earlier.”
“I am glad you didn’t.” Tatiana glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “I was just leaving.”
Luce glanced over at me, her brow knitted. She waited until the female had left. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “Yes. Are you here to check on me?”
“I am. Kind of.” Luce closed the door behind her. “I need to talk with you.”
I wanted to throw myself on the floor and scream, so the last thing I wanted to do was talk to Luce or be checked out.
“I feel fine. A thousand times better than yesterday,” I told her as she came around the couch. “I think—” I squared my shoulders. “I think I can go home.”
Her forehead wrinkled as she took the seat Tatiana had just vacated, much to my dismay. “We’ll talk about that later. There’s something more important to discuss.”
A laugh burst out of me. Something more important than learning that the man I loved could end up risking not only his life but also the lives of his entire Court and mankind by being with me? Unless I chose to be his…his side piece while he married a fae and fathered a whole litter of children.
Luce frowned. “Are you sure you’re okay, Brighton?”
“I am.” I stopped the next