Page 206 of Lady of the Drowned Empire

I was going to get Jules back. And I was going to take the Empire down as I did so. The vorakh which powered the Emperor’s forces were going to turn on him. Soon, they were going to stand behind me.

My two-faced goddess, he’ll demand the shard from you, sooner or later, you know. Mercurial’s thoughts pushed into my mind. He’d told me he’d create the diversion. That it was my one chance to get out. To leave Moriel, Aemon. But I’d never trusted the Afeyan. I saved my sisters. Even Rhyan. I’d done enough. Now, it was time for me.

You’re a fool. You don’t even know what to do with the shard. How to use it, wield it. Or how to keep it. Stop underestimating him. Because before you know it, he’s going to make a trade you can’t refuse. He’s going to demand you hand it over freely. And when he does, you won’t have a choice.

I rarely have. At least when he does—he won’t be bargaining with my sisters’ lives.

You underestimate him again. He can, and he will. And he will do worse. The immortal’s cruel laugh rang through my mind. You’ll wish you’d come with me when I gave you the chance. Understand now, that the line has been drawn. I gave you a moment. You refused. Mercurial does not give second chances. You are my enemy.

Wasn't I always? I shrugged, staring into the crystal, as I turned it in my hands. The lights shined across my skin, and vanished as I turned it over, and over, and over. I had to hold it as long as I could. I had to refuse Aemon’s demands to hand it over as long as possible. Nothing else mattered.

But Mercurial whispered in my mind. Consider this my final act of service to you. My final piece of advice for the sake of our long history together. You chose wrong, Ereshya. Again.