Page 110 of The Witch Queen
“A thorough inquiry will take place immediately,” Parnell assures her. “Until then, we should fortify the palace. If Rycinthia hasthiskind of power at their disposal, they will undoubtedly strike again. And soon.”
The others at the table nod, their attention turning expectantly to Margaret.
“Ah.” The duchess sits back in her chair. “Is this the part where you beg for my army again?”
“Your Grace,” one of the others attempts, “after tonight, surely your position on the matter has softened.”
She blinks innocently back at him. “And why should it have?”
“You saw what that…thingcan do,” I say, gesturing toward the windows. “Heard what it promised. Do you want it to come back here and flatten the palace?”
“Do you?” Margaret asks, raising an eyebrow. “BecauseIhave my own palace. And I won’t be usingmytroops for anything until Blodwyn is crowned.”
She runs her fingertip lazily around the rim of her wineglass. Fury smolders in my chest.
“This isn’t a game of Castles, it’s—”
“Itis,though, isn’t it?” Margaret asks, tilting her head at me. “It’s quite literally a game of Castles—who gets to keep this one in the end?”
Not you,that voice whispers.You will burn.
“If you want me to play,” Margaret goes on, addressing the rest of the table, “I suggest you adhere to my rules.”
“Army or not, you cannot bully us into calling off the trials,” Warbeck all but growls.
“Oh, I would never dream of doing so,” Margaret replies, pressing ahand to her chest. “In fact, I thoroughly agree that the next trial should take place as planned, in two weeks’ time. And Blodwyn will be part of it.”
“We have yet to settle on the results of the last challenge,” someone points out.
Margaret shrugs, unbothered. “By my observation, Blodwyn was among the top claimants when the attack began. As far as I’m concerned, that means she’s passed. I don’t care who you decide should progress alongside her, but my niecewillparticipate in the final trial.”
Andwin,her expression says.
A tremor of uncertainty races around the table. Warbeck looks ready to burst with rage. But he cannot argue. None of us can after what we witnessed.
“Very well,” I tell the duchess.
The rest of the councilors nod their grudging agreement. Even Warbeck.
“Wonderful.” Margaret smiles. “Then I look forward to the event. Depending on the trial’s outcome, we can discuss the use ofmyforces. In the meantime, I wish you all a pleasant evening.”
With that, she rises and makes to leave.
“Oh, and, Master Parnell,” she says, pausing at the door, “do let me know if I can assist with the search for that prisoner. I hate to think of someone like that scurrying about where they don’t belong.”
She shifts her attention to me. And she still looks so much like Callen that the phantom tether attached to my left ribs trembles.
—
The council meeting concludes not long after that. With everyone sequestered in their chambers, the halls are deserted as I head back to my own rooms. Shadows trail alongside me, probing into corners and under doors, as if to root out answers to the questions tumbling through my mind: Whatwasthat creature? And how did it bring statues to life? Cleave the ground open? That kind of power isunfathomable, beyond even what the Ancients were said to command. And I can’t deny that, along with the fear churning inside me, is something else—something even stronger and far more unsettling:desire.
A blur of brown fur races around me when I step through the doors of my chambers, tiny nails skittering on the floor.
“Fitz?” I ask. “What are you doing here?”
“Sorry,” Jacquetta says from her place by the fire. “He’s taken to following me around.”
She’s still wearing her costume, now nothing but tattered silk after the battle. And I notice scratches on her face and hands as well. A bruise is beginning to bloom along her cheekbone. Injuries she sustained while fighting off the Followers. When she helped me save Blodwyn’s life. Why had she done that? Was it for the princess’s sake, or for mine?
