The Rogue Crown (Five Crowns of Okrith #3)

by A.K. Mulford

There was one thing she knew for certain: any chair Lina sat in became a throne.

Lina’s eyes flitted to Bri. “I wish you didn’t make it so hard to hate you.” “I wish you’d stop hating me,” Bri countered, her eyes dropping to Lina’s parted, breathless lips.

“You’re not just mourning her loss; you’re mourning the hope that it could have ever been different between you two.”

something in Bri ached to see her with her own children one day—that beautiful duality of motherhood—gentleness mixed with the ferocity that would burn the world down to protect those she loved.

Every battle feels deserving of sacrificing yourself for, but if you destroy yourself over every problem, mea raga, you won’t be around long enough to lead them through it.” Lina’s eyes sharpened as she clenched her jaw. Bri knew that feeling all too well—so desperate to burn herself to cinders in order to fix the wrongs of the world.

“You are already a better ruler than your mother, Lina. You don’t need to try so hard to prove you are so different than her.” Lina’s eyes guttered, the weight of the Baba’s words crashing into her. The Baba had said the thing that Bri had been thinking since the moment she met Lina. It was evident in every choice and action Lina made: she wanted to prove herself worthy of her crown, but in her people’s eyes, she already had.

“I’m glad she has you.”

“Because I knew it would work.” Bri’s lips twisted up. “Because the only person I’ll ever beg is you.”

“I loved Aurella, I did, but this . . .” She placed her palm to the center of her chest, pushing down hard on her sternum. “It feels like my soul has been ripped in two.” “I know that feeling,” Talhan whispered, his gaze dropping to his boots. “It was just outside here in Valtene.” He placed his hand to his gut. “I thought I was dying, but I couldn’t let go. Our souls are tied to this world by the people we love, Fated or not.” His face darkened, his expression strained. “Why are the best things the ones we’re too afraid to get right?” Bri’s eyes guttered. “I sent her to her death because I was too scared to love her.”

“I only want you. I want you to know the same peace I feel every time you lie down beside me. I want you to feel as loved as you make me feel. I don’t know what spells the Fates weave, but sometimes our choices are stronger than any magic, and I choose you, Lina. Always.”

“Gods, I love you,” Bri said, trying and failing to keep a broad smile from splitting her face. She couldn’t stop saying it—the words setting her free a little more each time. She loved Lina. She loved her endlessly and irrevocably. In this land of scorching sunlight, red earth, and orange sunsets, she’d finally found home.