Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)

by Victoria Aveyard

Walsh hugs me, taking me by surprise. “I don’t know how,” she mutters, “but I hope you become queen one day. Imagine what you could do then? The Red queen.” I have to smile at the impossible thought. “Go, before your nonsense rubs off on me.” Farley isn’t one for hugs, but she does pat me on the shoulder. “We’ll meet again, and soon.” “Not like this, I hope.” Her face splits into a rare, toothy smile. Despite the scar, I realize she’s very pretty. “Not like this,” she echoes, before slipping out into the night with Walsh. “I know I can’t ask you to come with me,” Kilorn mutters, moving to follow them. He stares at his hands, examining scars I know better than my own mind. Look at me, you idiot. Sighing, I force myself to shove him toward freedom. “The cause needs me here. You need me here too.” “What I need and what I want are two very different things.” I try to laugh, but I can’t find the strength. “This is not our end, Mare,” Kilorn murmurs, embracing me. He laughs to himself, the noise vibrating in his chest. “Red queen. Has a nice ring to it.”