Page 161 of The Witch Queen

“It wasn’t your bargain to strike,” Tilda admonishes.

“And who would I have asked?” Roland says. “Summoned the Guilds and said—by the way, the queen is a witch. Anyone object to that?”

Tilda just frowns and traces the designs on the table. My own mind spins, trying to merge this version of Ayleth with the queen I’ve come to know. How can there be so many different versions of the same person? And which one of them am I supposed to trust?

“We’ll figure all this out,” Tilda says, perhaps more to herself than to us. “Until we do, you’ll stay here, Blodwyn.”

“What?” Roland asks, incredulous. “We’re not aninn.”

“Roland!” Tilda swats at him. “She needs help.”

“Aye, and Idon’tneed the Hunt kicking down my door. After what she told us, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

“He’s right,” I say, putting up my hand in surrender. “I’ll leave.”

“See?” Roland says, jerking his chin at me. “She wants to go. Can’t keep her here against her will.”

“She’sstaying,” Tilda says, in a tone that brooks no argument from either of us. “Andwe’recalling a meeting of the Guilds. Which is whatyoushould have done years ago.”

Roland scowls but doesn’t argue further. Tilda gives me a reassuring pat on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” she says. “You’re safe with us.”

I try to muster a smile for her, but my insides are knotted with apprehension. I’m grateful for their kindness, but Roland is right. All I do is bring trouble. How long until the Hunt does arrive to drag me back to the palace? Or something worse? An image of the lost princess, blood running down her chin, flashes in my mind. Beneath the whine of the wind pushing against the cottage, I swear I can hear her croaking voice:

You must pay the price.

Far in the distance, a crow’s call echoes over the forest.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Ayleth

“Is that…” Jacquetta starts, “theking?”

She gapes at the mirror, where Callen’s face is scowling out at her. After what happened with Shade, I’m more than a little relieved that I can summon him at all. And I debated whether to reveal this last piece of my power. But what good is keeping it hidden? I’ll need all the help I can get with what waits on the horizon.

“If we’re going to entertain company, can you at least select interesting people?” Callen drawls. Nettle hisses at him.

“I took his heart on the night I broke the Veil,” I explain to Jacquetta.

Though I never anticipated how much trouble it would cause me.

“Spirits,” Jacquetta murmurs. “Selene suspected you had a witch’s mirror, but this…”

She reaches toward the glass.

“Don’t!” Callen snarls. She recoils and he grins. “I bite.”

“He doesn’t,” I say, rolling my eyes. “He can’t hurt you.”

“Directly,” Callen replies, smug. “Now, tell me, Janet, or whatever your name is, doyouknow how to get me out of here? I’ll make it worth your while.”

The last of Jacquetta’s shock evaporates.

“No,” she says, crossing her arms. “And from what I remember, you’re exactly where you belong.”

Callen huffs. “I should have burned both of you while I had the chance.”