••{EROS'S POV}••
My thoughts stumble over themselves the longer I dwell on everything Ævanna just said.
There's only two ways I can inherit the throne.
The first is if Aricel renounces his title and claim, giving up the throne willingly.
The thought barely lasts a second before I dismiss it.
That would never happen.
Aricel is too proud and self-absorbed to give up being King of Astragarde, which leaves…
Oh no.
A cold, sinking feeling settles deep in my stomach.
I don't even want to think it… but the thought is already there. Already taking shape. Refusing to leave me.
I lift my eyes to meet Ævanna's.
"…Aricel," I say, my voice quieter now. "Is something bad going to happen to him?"
For a moment, she says nothing.
She just looks at me with the same calm, knowing look and somehow… that makes it worse.
"Time will tell," she finally says.
The words settle like a weight in my chest.
