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“Free and changed?” she reminded. “Living in a land without sun or warmth. Forever cut off from the forests. Some things are worse than that to a summer fae, but not much.”
“The worst is having your magic bound,” I flung back. “It’s screaming and crying and begging with the trapped power inside of you to save the people you love. But you can’t. Because it’s just as trapped and useless as you are.”
I tossed my head. “The women of Elva have to be free, and the curse is the only way to free them. Even if there is rebellion. Even if there is war, it’ll be put down and stamped down quickly, because thirteen million faewomen are not going back to the way things are now.”
“Is it your wish, then, to wait until after the change takes Elva to enact our plan?”
“No.” There was no hesitation. “That would take centuries. We must claim the seats of power now. Start the process of change now. If only to get monsters like Salman off the throne. The things that he’s done. Atrocities that he planned, carried out, and then blamed on faeriken—knowing that no one would question him, and executing anyone who dared to anyway.” I shook my head. “He’s a monster the likes of which would sicken a worthless piece of shit like Meallan.
“The throne of Lyrica never belonged to him. He’s not going to sit on it for another day past his due.”
“What is your decision, then, my queen?”
I opened my mouth, and asked the question that sealed my fate. “Is there a way to spread the curse faster and wider? As in within the next few months while we wait for Mahoun to pass?”
“There is,” she replied, smiling enigmatically. “But of course I cannot tell you. The cursed can’t speak of their affliction.”
“You don’t have to speak it if you can do it. Can you do this, Treasa? And can you do it quickly?”
“I can do both. But I need you to say it plainly, my lady. Say that this is your decree and you will accept the consequences on both your behalf.”
I paused. “Will anyone be hurt?”
“I believe many people will get hurt when they wake up one day with unbound magic and pig snouts where their nose used to be.”
That reply earned her a hard look. “I know you knew what I meant. Will whatever you have to do to trigger the fast spread of the curse risk innocent lives?”
“No,” she replied easily. “No one innocent will be hurt.”
“Then yes. I decree that you spread the beast curse far and wide to every corner of Elva. Whatever the consequences may be, we both accept them.”
Bowing slightly, she turned to leave.
“Treasa?”
“Yes, milady?”
“If you’d like to take a break, rest, or get something to eat, you can leave the babies with me for a few hours.” I spooned a little more broth past Alisdair’s cracked lips. “You already know they love their Ana Haeowen.”
She looked at me in surprise. “You’re dead on your feet, haven’t slept in days, and of all things, you volunteer to watch six infants just to give me a break?”
“Oh. If you rather I call Aeris or—”
“No, no,” she rushed. “That’s not it, I just— No matter what circumstances brought you here, you were the queen Lumenfell was meant to have. Not a good queen, but a great one.” She continued on, carrying her brood with her. “Never believe otherwise.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of that, but I let her go—returning my focus to Alisdair. “I made the decision,” I whispered. “The decision I know you would’ve made and... the one I think is right. One day history will tell us if we were wrong.”
“You are the clever one.”
I lurched back, the bowl crashing to the floor and showering me with broth and broken pottery.
“Something tells me history will bow to your will,” he rasped, “as all men do.”
Alisdair blinked up at the ceiling as if he’d never seen it before. It was impossible to see his face, covered as it was, but an air of bemusement collected around him. I had a feeling it’d been a long time since he’d gotten seriously hurt. Maybe a thousand years.
“You were attacked,” I said slowly, while approaching even slower. “By Meallan and three other wolves. That was a fortnight ago. We didn’t think you’d make it because—”
“My queen poisoned me.”
