Fragile Eternity
Page 35
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Aislinns temper fled, and she blushed, unprepared for this sort of conversation with Donia.
Donia didnt turn from the glass as she continued, Ive wondered if thats why Miach and Beira were so unable to coexist. I see it, history ready to repeat itself. Dont think I am unaware, Ash.
The Winter Queen turned her back to the window. She leaned against it, framed by the icy lace with which shed decorated the glass and drapes.
Im not judging you. Iwant you to be with Keenan, Aislinn insisted.
Even if its a mistake? Donias tone wasnt one Aislinn could read. It verged on taunting. Even if its history repeating? Even if the consequences are horrific? Would you have us start a war to protect your heart?
Aislinn couldnt answer. She hadnt really thought much about the fact that Keenans parents were the Summer King and Winter Queen.
I wonder now if Beiras killing Miach was unexpected. Summer Kings are so volatile. Winter can be so much calmer. As Donia spoke, a chair of ice formed under her. The edges werent smooth, but ragged like waves frozen in mid-break.
Aislinn didnt mean to, but she laughed. Can be? Ive seen the temper in you. Summercan be calm too. Whatever you two have just isntand I dont think calm is what either of you would want. I saw him after Solstice. There were frostbites on his skin, but he was happy.
You would see those marks, wouldnt you? Donia gave her a look that wasnt friendly at all. Every time I think I have him out of my system, and then hes sweet or wonderful She looked wistful. Do you know what he did?
Aislinn shook her head.
He had a gardening company remove the hawthornthat awful plant that was the scene of every test. Its gone from here and from the cottage. Not killed, but replanted away from me. Tiny ice drops clicked as they shattered at Donias feet.
Thats sweet.
Itis . Donias face was a mirror of the feelings Aislinn often felt for Keenanthe bittersweet mix of affection and frustration that assailed her more and moreand Aislinn hated that they had that in common. She hated that they were in this conversation.
They stayed there, neither going any further, until Donia said, Its not going to change my mind. I know he thinks he might love me, but he thinks he might love you too.
I wish I could lie. Right now I really wish I could lie to her.
I dont want Aislinn faltered. She tried again, We arent The words werent wholly true: she couldnt pronounce them. Finally, she said, I am with Seth.
You are, but hes mortal. Donia didnt look angry. And Keenan is your king, your partner. I hear it in his voice when he says your name. He never sounded like this about anyone else.
Except you.
The Winter Queen nodded. Yes, except me. I know that.
He wants to see you. Hes upset, and you need to
No. Donia stood. Youre in no position to tell me what Ineed to do. My court has held sway over the earth longer than either of us can imagine. Theyve watched Keenan suffer under Beiras boot for centuries. Donia was motionless, but her eyes were snowblind. They do not give up power easily, but I ask it of them. I require them to accept that Summer must have more than a few brief days.
Then you see why you need to work things out.
So Summer can grow stronger.
Yes.
And thats meant to motivate me? Donia laughed. The Summer Court despised me for failing to be you. They werent there to comfort me when I tried to give him his court and failed. Tell me, Ash, why should I care what goes on in your court?
Because you love Keenan, and he loves you, and we can have peace if you two sort out whatever youre angry about this time.
You have no clue who your king truly is, do you? Donia sounded bemused. Even though your mother died to avoid being trapped in his court and youve lost your mortality for him, youre still blinded. Im not. What stands between us is his arrogance andyou, Ash.
I dont want to be between you. I want Seth to be in my life, only Seth. If I could Id still be mortal andI wish you had been Summer Queen.
I know. Its part of what keeps me from hating you. Donia smiled, almost affectionately.
I dont love him, Aislinn blurted hurriedly, as if afraid the words werent going to be pronounceable, as if it could be almost a lie. Im furious with him regularly andIwant you and him to be together.
I know that as well.
Then just be with him.
I wont be your shield, Ash. An edge of scorn threaded through Donias voice.
My?
You cant hide behind me to make sense of whatever you two are trying to sort out. Donia flexed her fingers almost absently, and hoarfrost crept over the walls. Crackling ice covered sconces and faded wallpaper.
You two had plenty of problems before me. Aislinn felt her skin warming, an inevitable reaction to the dropping temperature in the room. Her own energy tried to push the chill from the air nearest her.
We did. Snowflakes floated gently to the ground around Donia. But they were all based in him seekingyou.
I didnt ask for this. Aislinn was advancing on Donia. She needed Donia to see Keenan, needed her to understand. It was what they all needed. You have to
Dont dictate to me, Aislinn. The Winter Queen sounded perfectly calm. Her stillness was that of newly fallen snow, untouched, undisturbed.
I didnt come here to fight you. Her sunlight was a weak shield in the Winter Queens home.Her palace. Call it what she would, thats what it truly was, her palace, her seat of power.And not where I should be.
Donia didnt turn from the glass as she continued, Ive wondered if thats why Miach and Beira were so unable to coexist. I see it, history ready to repeat itself. Dont think I am unaware, Ash.
The Winter Queen turned her back to the window. She leaned against it, framed by the icy lace with which shed decorated the glass and drapes.
Im not judging you. Iwant you to be with Keenan, Aislinn insisted.
Even if its a mistake? Donias tone wasnt one Aislinn could read. It verged on taunting. Even if its history repeating? Even if the consequences are horrific? Would you have us start a war to protect your heart?
Aislinn couldnt answer. She hadnt really thought much about the fact that Keenans parents were the Summer King and Winter Queen.
I wonder now if Beiras killing Miach was unexpected. Summer Kings are so volatile. Winter can be so much calmer. As Donia spoke, a chair of ice formed under her. The edges werent smooth, but ragged like waves frozen in mid-break.
Aislinn didnt mean to, but she laughed. Can be? Ive seen the temper in you. Summercan be calm too. Whatever you two have just isntand I dont think calm is what either of you would want. I saw him after Solstice. There were frostbites on his skin, but he was happy.
You would see those marks, wouldnt you? Donia gave her a look that wasnt friendly at all. Every time I think I have him out of my system, and then hes sweet or wonderful She looked wistful. Do you know what he did?
Aislinn shook her head.
He had a gardening company remove the hawthornthat awful plant that was the scene of every test. Its gone from here and from the cottage. Not killed, but replanted away from me. Tiny ice drops clicked as they shattered at Donias feet.
Thats sweet.
Itis . Donias face was a mirror of the feelings Aislinn often felt for Keenanthe bittersweet mix of affection and frustration that assailed her more and moreand Aislinn hated that they had that in common. She hated that they were in this conversation.
They stayed there, neither going any further, until Donia said, Its not going to change my mind. I know he thinks he might love me, but he thinks he might love you too.
I wish I could lie. Right now I really wish I could lie to her.
I dont want Aislinn faltered. She tried again, We arent The words werent wholly true: she couldnt pronounce them. Finally, she said, I am with Seth.
You are, but hes mortal. Donia didnt look angry. And Keenan is your king, your partner. I hear it in his voice when he says your name. He never sounded like this about anyone else.
Except you.
The Winter Queen nodded. Yes, except me. I know that.
He wants to see you. Hes upset, and you need to
No. Donia stood. Youre in no position to tell me what Ineed to do. My court has held sway over the earth longer than either of us can imagine. Theyve watched Keenan suffer under Beiras boot for centuries. Donia was motionless, but her eyes were snowblind. They do not give up power easily, but I ask it of them. I require them to accept that Summer must have more than a few brief days.
Then you see why you need to work things out.
So Summer can grow stronger.
Yes.
And thats meant to motivate me? Donia laughed. The Summer Court despised me for failing to be you. They werent there to comfort me when I tried to give him his court and failed. Tell me, Ash, why should I care what goes on in your court?
Because you love Keenan, and he loves you, and we can have peace if you two sort out whatever youre angry about this time.
You have no clue who your king truly is, do you? Donia sounded bemused. Even though your mother died to avoid being trapped in his court and youve lost your mortality for him, youre still blinded. Im not. What stands between us is his arrogance andyou, Ash.
I dont want to be between you. I want Seth to be in my life, only Seth. If I could Id still be mortal andI wish you had been Summer Queen.
I know. Its part of what keeps me from hating you. Donia smiled, almost affectionately.
I dont love him, Aislinn blurted hurriedly, as if afraid the words werent going to be pronounceable, as if it could be almost a lie. Im furious with him regularly andIwant you and him to be together.
I know that as well.
Then just be with him.
I wont be your shield, Ash. An edge of scorn threaded through Donias voice.
My?
You cant hide behind me to make sense of whatever you two are trying to sort out. Donia flexed her fingers almost absently, and hoarfrost crept over the walls. Crackling ice covered sconces and faded wallpaper.
You two had plenty of problems before me. Aislinn felt her skin warming, an inevitable reaction to the dropping temperature in the room. Her own energy tried to push the chill from the air nearest her.
We did. Snowflakes floated gently to the ground around Donia. But they were all based in him seekingyou.
I didnt ask for this. Aislinn was advancing on Donia. She needed Donia to see Keenan, needed her to understand. It was what they all needed. You have to
Dont dictate to me, Aislinn. The Winter Queen sounded perfectly calm. Her stillness was that of newly fallen snow, untouched, undisturbed.
I didnt come here to fight you. Her sunlight was a weak shield in the Winter Queens home.Her palace. Call it what she would, thats what it truly was, her palace, her seat of power.And not where I should be.
