1564024802

face this together. Erawan, the Lock, all of it.
We’ll face it together. And when we are done,
when you Settle, we will have a thousand
years together. Longer.”
A small sound came out of her. “Elena said
the Lock requires—”
“We’ll face it together,” he swore again.
“And if the cost of it truly is you, then we’ll
pay it together. As one soul in two bodies.”
Her heart strained to the point of cleaving.
“Terrasen needs a king.”
“I have no intention of ruling Terrasen
without you. Aedion can have the job.”
She scanned his face. He meant every
word.
He brushed the hair from her face, his other
hand still clasping hers to his chest, where his
heart pounded a steady, unfaltering rhythm.
“Even if I had my choice of any dream-
realities, any perfect illusions, I would still