The resulting silence that swallowed the Grand Chamber revived Andreya's memories of the silence that had first declared her a witch. A pause much too quiet to result in anything but another horrible death.

Except these people knew she would resurrect. She would not be able to escape this palace. She was trapped now in another country where she was a monster, and they had finally reeled her into their grasp.

"Very well," said Head Judge Makaira, shattering the silence and Andreya's thoughts along with it. "In that case, if you wish to stay in our country and will not accept our offer, how do you propose we ensure you will not be a threat to our people?"

Andreya couldn't breathe. Did this mean they did not treat her as a witch, as her own people had? Her eyes raised to the Council once again in disbelief. "Sovereign Judges, I can guarantee you I will not be a threat to Isantad if you only help me end my immortality. I plead that you help me die."

For the first time, they registered surprise, and looked to one another as if uncertain.

"You are sure this is what you want?" Judge Issel asked, and Andreya bowed in response.

They seemed to consider it among themselves again, in silent discussion, a series of looks and even, once, a whisper, though too muffled for Andreya to understand. Finally, they straightened and Judge Makaira spoke their verdict.

"Duchess Marivatan, we accept your offer, and we invite you to remain in the palace for Heiress Jenriset's ball overmorrow. There, we shall end your curse. In the meantime, we would like to learn as much about your condition as possible to assist in our efforts, if you would be so willing."

"I am forever grateful, Sovereign Judges." Andreya sank into another deep curtsy, her Isantadi dress pooling on the floor around her.

"We hope you find your solution." Judge Makaira's words echoed through the Grand Chamber, and the three of them dipped their heads again. "Farewell, Duchess Marivatan."

Then the servants who had escorted her there stepped forward at Andreya's sides and the two palatial doors groaned open again to let her through.

The Judges had chosen to help her, just as Reide had all that time ago and had been doing ever since—a kindness Andreya had not experienced in Nasavte since the death of her family.

And at the thought of Reide, the tick of Andreya's internal gears faltered—nothing more than a fraction of a moment, naught but a single thought. But her years in isolation had clouded her connection to her heart, her understanding of her emotions, her control of her thoughts.

It was not surprising she did not recognize the terrible something she had done.

──── ❉ ❉ ❉ ────

Reide was so absorbed in plotting his escape out the window that he nearly missed the sound of the door unlocking.

When it opened, Reide was standing behind it, and snatched both arms of the man who stepped through, instantly twisting his hands behind his back and knocking one leg out from under him so he fell to a kneel with a yelp. Reide felt bare without his bow and quiver, but he was far from helpless.

"I yield! Mercy!"

Reide startled and leapt back at his voice—the man was nothing more than a lanky pageboy, and one that was now attempting and slightly failing to return to his feet, absolutely petrified. The boy slowly brought a hand up to rub his wrist.

"S-s-sir, I'm just—just here to inform you that the Judges have invited you to Heiress Jenriset's ball in two days." His hand began to shake. "And you... you are free to enjoy your stay in the Court until then."

The page was short, toothy, a lot like Tari with his wide eyes and too-straight posture. Reide disregarded his message. "Where is Duchess Marivatan? Is she well?"

It came out harsher than he was intending and the boy audibly squeaked, daring a step closer to the door and away from Reide, whose patience was draining like sand in an already small hourglass. "Duchess—Duchess Marivatan just met with the Council, but I—"

"The Judges?" Reide swore in an undertone. "Where is she now?'

"The-the-the lavender garden, I think—"

"Take me there."

The boy blanked and Reide finally gave up communication with him, widening the door and slipping past him into the hallway. By the time the kid found the words to call after him, Reide was already halfway down the marble staircase.

The capital was north of Korsa, but not by much. Still, the wind was enough to make the day chilled and dress all the servants in their winter uniforms. Reide stopped a woman carrying a vase of flowers to ask directions, then he set off at a jog in the direction she pointed. He followed the brick pathway running along the side of the left palace, passing several different gardens and trails surrounding the courtyard, all bathed in the shadow of the castle.

He slowed to a stop in front of one, the path lined with small, bare trees and several bushes gray with cold. Deep in the garden, facing away, a woman with long, dark hair and a distinct air of melancholy stood among the wilted flora. She looked every part a bittersweet painting with her hair in the breeze and her elegant poise—one he could gaze at for hours and yet never come close enough to touch. She was captivating and lovely and terribly sad.

For Andreya, staring down at the dead branches of a lavender bush, she was alone in that cold garden. She did not know what it was that caused the tears streaking her cheeks, but she knew it hurt, this something, deep in her chest like a tear in her heart. For so long, she didn't think she even had a heart.

"Andreya."

She gasped, swiveling around to spot a young man at the edge of the garden, for once without his bow.

"Reide!" Andreya immediately turned away and rubbed her sleeve across her eyes, her face burning. Her voice was small and frustratingly weak. "There is truly no quiet here."

"What's the matter?" he asked, crossing the garden to reach her. Andreya cursed to herself and shook her head.

"Nothing is the matter," she said. "I'm perfectly fine." And it was none of his concern that she was not. If anything, she believed Reide was contributing to her insatiable ache with the way he had been frequenting her thoughts. She turned to look up at him and spite soured her tone. "In fact, I have just learned I am not a criminal of the state, and the Judges have agreed to help find a way to kill me."

The shock and hurt on his face should have sparked pride in Andreya for her success, and yet it overwhelmed her with only guilt, worsening the pain in her chest so much she almost winced. The wind nipped at her nose and cheeks and she found her gaze lowered once again to the stone path.

She did not regret her plea to the Judges. This was everything she wanted, this man be cursed. The only thing wrong with her was her uncontrolled emotions, the confounded tears burning her eyes and the choking lump in her throat. Ever since Reide had shown up, her body had not listened to her. Ever since he had shown up, she had been confused, doubtful, frustrated—

Reide gently brushed Andreya's hair from her face, his hand touching her skin for only a moment before it was gone. His voice was quiet and almost broken. "Andreya, why are you crying?"

—and then she was helpless.

"I don't know." She hung her head as her tears overflowed. Her breath released in a sob, her arms wrapped around herself as if from cold. She shook her head again. "I don't know why."

When he opened his arms, she didn't know why she fell into his embrace, clutching the back of his shirt and crying into his shoulder. She did not know why his hand stroking her hair was so comforting, or why his words soothed the pain in her heart. She did not know why it had hurt so much to begin with, and she did not know what to do now.

When all that was left of her tears was the pink around her eyes, she stepped back from his arms and avoided his gaze.

"The Judges will end my curse at the Heiress' ball," she said, and already, the ache was back. "So I want to thank you for your help, and... this is goodbye, Reide."

She sidestepped him to leave the garden and was several steps away when Reide grabbed her hand.

"Andreya, wait."

She shouldn't have looked at him.

Troubled was another of his better looks, creased brow and emotional eyes, the way his hair brushed over his forehead. He looked incredibly vulnerable, folding her hand between both of his. Unrehearsed. Passionate.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked. "Do you... do you have to die to end the curse? Isn't there another way?"

Andreya gazed up at him with nothing to say. She wanted this. She wanted it.

Still, her breath hitched.

"What if we found a way to let you age instead? Would you want to live then?" Reide squeezed her hand and Andreya broke from his pained eyes.

She wanted to die. She had searched so hard, sacrificed so much. She couldn't miss this chance. She wanted it.

"Andreya," he pleaded. "Say something. Please."

She wanted to run from him and his questions, but her legs would not. She wanted to close her eyes and wake up the day of her sister's wedding, but she could not. She was torn in two different directions—one toward Reide, and one away, and she was not sure which one she truly desired. So she met his eyes and whispered, "What do you want me to say?"

He said nothing at first, simply searching her gaze as if he might actually find something. Then, in yet a closer and quieter tone, he breathed, "Would you want to live your life if I said I'd live it with you?"

Andreya's eyes widened, her heart faltering. "What... do you mean?"

Reide drew in a breath and hung his head. "I mean this is tearing me apart—I hate that we want different things, but I don't know what I would do without you."

Softly, he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Then he said, with beautiful, awful sincerity, "I'm in love with you, Andreya. I don't want your plan to succeed."

──── xxx ────

Hey, y'all! How overdramatic these people are, honestly. All thoughts, suggestions, and critiques are welcome, and don't forget to vote if you enjoyed! Only two more chapters to go until the grand finale. Any predictions?! *Suspense music*