Maisie
He opened his eyes and they were green again. Tired. Exhausted. "My bargain was with the Queen, not Tessa. I must hold up my end of it as she has held up hers. Or this nightmare will begin again. A different dead body. Someone else you care about buried six feet under. More blood on your hands. Your life in danger and jeopardy. This is how it ends."
"We could fight back," I pushed. "We could push back! We could fight her and win!"
He laughed hoarsely. "There is no winning against her and you know it."
"You aren't even willing to try!" I snarled. "You're a fucking coward. A stupid mama's boy. I hate you."
I was crashing out. I didn't know what to do. I didn't think I was equipped to handle this. I needed to break something. Everything.
But Mercer only peered down at me with understanding green eyes. He knew that I knew he was right. "I won't risk it," he whispered, lifting his fingers to my chin, wiping my tears. "I won't risk you. Not anymore."
