Page 134 of The Witch Queen
Her shoulders hunch slightly inward and I’m reminded of my own worries at her age. How convinced I was that I didn’t belong among my sisters. Certainly not as Mother’s Second. But Sybil was nothing like my own mother.
“The late queen wanted you to follow in her footsteps,” I say, ignoring the nagging instinct to keep Blodwyn at arm’s length. “Even in her final moments, she made me promise to care for you. She loved you, Blodwyn.”
The princess nods, but I’m not sure if she believes me.
“Mother’s journals have helped with something, though,” she says after a pause. I wait for her to continue. “She wrote about her marriageto Papa. How she found a way to become queen. Not for love, but because she needed to help her family. To survive. It reminded me of you.”
“Me?” I echo, sure that I’ve misunderstood.
“I still don’t agree with what you did,” Blodwyn adds swiftly. “But…I might understand it a little bit more.”
“I see.” I pause, hardly daring to ask the next question. “And…what might that mean? For once all this is over?”
Her dark eyes meet mine, a thousand possibilities swirling inside them.
“I’m not sure yet,” she says at last. “But if there is a way forward, it must be an honest one. No more deception.”
Deception. Like the fact that the princess still does not know what I did to her father. Or that I control Malum itself.
“Of course,” I tell her. “We’ll be honest with each other. I’d like that.”
She holds my gaze a moment longer, then returns to the journal.
Again, I press my thumb into the three faint lines stamped into my palm. And for once I’m glad that Rhea isn’t here.
Chapter Forty
Ayleth
The following evening is Margaret’s party.
Given the state of the Great Hall, the event is being held in the throne room. And the duchess wasn’t exaggerating about her wish that this event would double as Blodwyn’s coronation. White roses hang from garlands around the upper-story gallery or spill out of enormous vases. Banners ripple in the torchlight, embroidered with apples ringed in crowns. After my argument with Jacquetta, I feel the weight of my own crown digging into my scalp, far heavier than it ever has been.
I haven’t seen the other witch again. She’s still in the palace. My shadows would have alerted me if she attempted to flee. But she’s keeping her distance. So am I, Shade’s plan rolling around in my brain. There’s no reason to keep from acting on it. To finish what I started when I broke the Veil. So why am I hesitating?
“Your Majesty.” A voice interrupts my thoughts. Master Parnell waits a few steps behind me, his crow-like appearance doing little to settle my nerves. “A word, if I may? I need to speak with you about the final trial.”
My stomach sinks at the reminder. There’s less than a weekremaining. I’m not certain which I dread more—the creature’s return or the last challenge.
“What about it?”
“Given the attack at the ball, I’ve ordered that security be doubled for the event,” Parnell goes on. “But I fear such precautions may not be sufficient.”
He’s not the only one. With each day that passes, the court seems to wind tighter, everyone jumpy and snappish with one another. Even here, surrounded by food and music, there’s little revelry. The late Queen Sybil’s funeral was a better party.
“And what of the creature?” I ask. “Any word on its whereabouts?”
“Unfortunately not,” Parnell says. “Save for the reports of the destruction it’s caused, there’s no sign of the thing. And, unfortunately, the creature’s emergence has only spurred the Follower groups. At least three more have been sighted in the last days and they’re rapidly gaining strength. They may march on the palace.”
No doubt followed by Rycinthia and the covens.
Failed,that voice supplies.You have failed again.
“Have the Hunt put down as many uprisings as possible,” I instruct Parnell. “And bring more reinforcements to the palace.”
“Yes, Majesty. But our troops are dwindling.” The steward steps closer. “I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that the duchess’s army would be of great assistance at the moment.”
I snort. “If she would lend it.”
