The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“I would say that doesn’t sound like a compromise at
all,” I stated. “It sounds like Atlantia basically closed their
borders and spent centuries preparing for war, biding their
time instead of trying to negotiate with Solis, despite the
failures of the past. Meanwhile, the Ascended continued to
grow, to kill, and to terrorize. So, no, that doesn’t sound like
a compromise. It sounds like complicity to me. And trust me,
I would know since I was complicit for years. The only
difference is that I didn’t know the truth—and that is a poor
excuse when all I had to do was open my eyes to what was
really happening. However, those within Atlantia always
knew the truth and did nothing, allowing the Ascended to
take root.”
A sense of wariness radiated from Kieran as Queen
Eloana left the blossom alone and looked at me. But if my
words angered or upset the Queen, I truly did not care at
the moment. She had basically just told me that my brother
would be killed—that it didn’t matter if any of the Ascended
were capable of change. And yes, I had my doubts, but that
didn’t mean they couldn’t. And the innocent people who
would die were sure as hell worth at least trying.
“Brave,” the Queen murmured. “You are very brave.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know if it’s bravery or not. I
know that Atlantia’s involvement would’ve been
complicated, but neither Casteel nor I want war.”
“But you said—”
“I said I wanted to see the Ascended destroyed,” I cut
in. “And I do. I want to see the Blood Crown destroyed, but
that does not mean I want an all-out war. I may not have
been alive during the last war, but I know the innocent will
suffer the most—the people of Solis and the Atlantians.
Maybe those within Atlantia cannot feel sympathy for those
in Solis, but they are not the enemy here. They are also
victims.”
“Part of what you said is correct. We have been biding
our time,” she said after a pause of silence. “But what you