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Chapter 35

I go to bed the night of my party thinking about a lot of things.

My feelings for Tristan. My feelings for Arin. And my conversation with Sterling.

I dread going to sleep if I'm just going to be haunted by nightmares of the woman who tried to murder me.

I lay awake in bed till 2 am. No matter how tired or weary I feel, I just can't sleep.

At 3 am, I summon my tiara and take it off my head.

My room isn't very bright, but I can still make out the intricate designs on the piece. It's weird to think it's the cause of so many problems.

I shudder when I remember how close I was to giving it up. If Arin and Maeve hadn't walked in, Cara would be in possession of this. And probably wiped out half the continent by now.

Seb is right. I shouldn't have this. I wish I never got it in the first place. I wish I picked a simple bracelet, or a ring. Why did I have to pick the only crown there?

The piece feels warm in my hand. I place it back on my head and feel a sudden bout of fatigue.

I lay my head gently on my pillow and drift off.

My dreams feel different. If anything, they feel more like memories than dreams.

I'm back in the cave, staring at all the pieces. Everything looks so real and vivid. I stare at myself and gasp. I'm in the same dress I wore at my pledge ceremony.

I don't have time to process that because different thoughts start to swirl in my head.

They come to me all at once and I have trouble picking them apart. I place my hands on either side of my head and groan.

There's a piercing pain in my eyes and the thoughts finally come together. Unfortunately, they're louder and come fleetingly.

At first, all I hear is a young girl's thoughts.

Don't pick the tiara. Don't pick the tiara, Delia. How would you explain that to father? He'll accuse you of trying to upstage your brother.

The next thoughts are from another young girl.

Mother and father expect nothing from you. Why would the tiara choose you?

After her is a male voice.

You're already too different. Why would you take it? Why would you do that to yourself?

When I open my eyes, I'm in a bedroom that's not mine.

A man opens the front door and takes off his wool cal. He has a candle in his hand and is wearing an enormous leather and fur coat.

"Solana?" He calls.

The little girl on the bed wakes up. "Father." She rubs her eyes.

He kisses her forehead and searches for something in his bag. "I have a gift for you." He shows it to her. My breath is taken away. It's my relic.

"It's very pretty." The child says.

"And very powerful." He smiles. "You see these Chrystas?" He points at them. "They were a gift from the first dragon."

She's transfixed by the jewels. "They are?"

He nods. "He breathed his fire on them. I had them made as a crown for you."

Someone else enters the room. It's a woman.

"Adolphus, it is time."

The child looks worried.