Page 104 of The Witch Queen

“Insipidis an understatement.”

“I tried to warn you.”

“I should have listened,” I say, meaning it. “And you’re right. Iwouldlike that mallet.”

And I’d use it on far more than just Elinor and Constance.

The corners of Verity’s lips twitch. “It’s not all your fault. I told you—I understand how difficult families can be. And I can’t blame you for heeding your aunt’s advice.”

“I can,” I comment dryly, glancing across the room to Aunt Margaret.

Her gaze meets mine, like twin blades in the candlelight.

I never lose,she told me.Not ever.

“So,” Verity continues. “Are you just going to stand around here moping, or are you going to win this thing?”

I’m honestly surprised she cares. I might not, if the situation were reversed.

“Are you sure you actually want me to win?” I ask.

“Why wouldn’t I?” she asks. “I’m yourfriend.”

Perhaps the only one I’ve ever had. I scold myself again for having been so careless with that friendship.

“Here.” Verity unpins the small golden apple from her bodice and fixes it to my own gown. “Take this to start.”

“Thank you,” I say. “Really. Not just for this. But for…”

“I know,” she says, waving me off. “I’m wonderful. And you can shower me with lands and titles in gratitude once you’re queen. For now, you’d better go.”

She squeezes my hands and shoos me away. There are a hundred other things I want to say to her. But Verity is right—I can’t afford to waste another moment. Before I can talk myself out of it, I join the dancers, my heart racing like I’m charging into battle. This time, though, it’s not for Aunt Margaret or Papa or anyone else.

This time, I’m fighting for myself.

—

Over the next hour, I progress through as many dancing partners aspossible. Despite my earlier apprehension, most of the courtiers seem to be keeping to the rules of the trial instead of simply handing their apples to their favorite competitors. From the glimpses I manage to snatch while dancing, I’ve drawn even with the leading claimants. But the number of courtiers still wearing favors is growing dangerously small. I’ll have to be faster.

“Princess?” my current dancing partner asks, bringing me back into the present.

“Sorry,” I say. “What was the question?”

“Who won the Battle of the Twin Rivers?”

I comb through the facts I shoved into my brain. “The…Warbecks.”

Relief whooshes through me when the woman’s face lights up.

“That’s right!” She unpins the apple from her gown and fastens it to my bodice. “Now, I was hoping to—”

I don’t give her the chance to finish, immediately extracting myself to search for another partner. Someone across the room still wears a golden pin and I head in that direction. But I don’t get far before colliding with another body. One I have come to recognize.

“My apologies,” Gavin says, dipping his chin.

We haven’t spoken since the stables and fresh embarrassment prickles over my skin. What didhethink of the scene with Aunt Margaret? It doesn’t matter, I tell myself. I have to focus—and not onhim.

“It was my fault,” I say, attempting to move away.