Page 151 of The Witch Queen

“Watch yourself, little queen,” she warns. “You may be powerful, but do you really judge yourself strong enough to fight off an entire battalion?”

Selene signals and I hear the distant tromp of footsteps. Behind me,yet more of Rycinthia’s troops stream out from the cover of the trees, weapons glinting.

Failed,that voice again.

Sindony smirks and it’s everything I can do to keep from lashing out at her. Nox growls, evidently sharing my desire. But I motion for him to stay back—for now.

“Mother, what’s going on?” Jacquetta presses, still clutching Nerissa. “Where have you been? I thought you were dead.”

“I know. I’m sorry,” the other witch replies. “But we had to—”

“We’ll get to that in time,” Selene interrupts, never taking her attention from me. “We have other matters to discuss at present.”

“There isnothingto discuss,” I grind out.

Not after everything they’ve put me through. Not after this. My attention shifts to Jacquetta. Wasshepart of it, too? She seemed as surprised as I was to see Nerissa, but I’m not sure that means anything.

“What a spine you’ve grown since I last saw you,” Selene comments, speaking to me like I’m a witchling again. “And here I assumed Millicent’s line had completely dried up. Tell me, do you still imagine yourself as the queen from Aphelia’s prophecy?”

Sindony snorts a derisive laugh. Nox rumbles a growl in reply, his hackles raised.

“I don’t have to imagine anything,” I shoot back. “I’m the one sitting on the throne.”

“Not for long,” Selene drawls. “And not with astolencrown.”

I smirk, suddenly very glad I had the foresight to leave the crown with my Huntsman.

“If that’s what you came for, you’ll be disappointed,” I tell her. “The crown isn’t here.”

Selene steps closer, her green Diviner gaze boring into mine.

“Perhaps not,” she agrees. “But I’ll wager that you can get it for us. Otherwise…”

She signals again. In the next instant, Nerissa yanks Jacquetta closer and pulls a dagger from her belt. Silver flashes as she holds it to her daughter’s throat.

Despite everything between us, horror flashes in my veins. I lunge for Jacquetta, but Selene blocks my path.

“Stay where you are,” she orders.

It takes all my self-control to obey.

“Mother?” Jacquetta’s voice rushes out in a panicked gasp. “What are you doing?”

“What must be done,” is all Nerissa replies.

“What must be…” Jacquetta repeats. Comprehension dawns on her expression. “Youknew about this? But you were gone. You—”

“She was never missing, you idiot,” Sindony replies, rolling her eyes. “She returned to Rycinthia right after the attack on the Mines. She’s been there the whole time—with us.”

Which means I was right—Shade couldn’t find Nerissa because she left Riven. Still, questions churn in my mind. If Nerissa returned to the Heirs, why not tell Jacquetta? Andwhatis happening now?

“Back to Rycinthia?” Jacquetta asks, as confused as I am. “But…why?”

“Because we neededyouto go toher.” Sindony flings an impatient gesture at me.

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“I’m surprised you haven’t pieced it all together by now,” Selene replies, one corner of her mouth lifting. Then she addresses Jacquetta. “I suspected Nerissa’s disappearance, coupled with our own inaction, would send you running to the palace. That, eventually, the so-called Witch Queen wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation to use you to serve her own ends. And it appears I was correct. Here youbothare.”