Page 165 of The Witch Queen

“Yes, I’m sure he was thrilled about that,” she says. But then, “So there was nothing…else?”

“What do you mean?”

Jacquetta hesitates, picking at the coverlet. “When I learned that you married him, I didn’t want to believe it was real. But part of me always wondered if therewassomething between you. And then after what you said in the dungeons…”

I prefer him over you,the words come back to me.

“No,” I say at once, my skin crawling at the idea of engaging in anything resembling romance with Callen. “Notever.I only said that because…well…”

Heat flames in my face. But Jacquetta nods.

“It’s all right,” she replies. “You’re not the only one who said things you regret.”

I thought you died,she’d hurled at me.I wished you had.

The words still sting. But I shove that down. There’s no point in dwelling on them now. And a question of my own creeps up from the depths of my mind. One I’ve been too afraid to ask.

“And you? Is there…someone?”

“Who, like Sindony?” she asks wryly.

I huff a laugh. Those two would throttle each other if left in the same room for more than five minutes. But Jacquetta hasn’t really answered the question. I arch an eyebrow, waiting.

“There were a few,” she admits. “But nothing that ever meant anything. Nothing like…”

Us.The word sends a shiver through me.

“You saidwhenall this is over,” I start, hesitant. “What does that look like?”

“Well, after I take a mallet to that mirror,” Jacquetta says, throwing me a smirk. “I’m not sure. I suppose we’ll have to cross that bridge when we come to it.”

What could possibly be on the other side? Heartbreak? Probably. But what if it’s not? What if, after all this time, we could finally begin again? From the look on Jacquetta’s face, I think she might be wondering, perhaps even hoping, the same thing.

A knock on the door startles me.

“Your Majesty,” a servant’s voice calls. “You’re needed in the council chamber. They said it’s urgent.”

I groan. “That will probably be Margaret demanding to be released.”

Even imprisoned, the duchess manages to spoil everything.

“I’d better go deal with this,” I say to Jacquetta.

She nods. Reaches for me. “I’ll be here.”

And I may not know what’s coming next, but I know that my hand in hers is the only thing I’ve ever wanted. I don’t resist the urge to lean into her. Our lips meet and she tastes of roses—and of me.

For the first time in a long time, I do not hear that voice at all.

—

Parnell is already waiting for me when I emerge from my chambers. It’s early enough in the morning that the halls are empty as we make our way to the council chamber, our footsteps echoing in the stillness.

“Apologies for the disturbance, Your Majesty,” he says, inclining his chin. “But this is a most pressing matter.”

“About the duchess?” I ask. “She’s staying in her rooms no matter what she claims.”

“Not her, Majesty,” Parnell replies. “And we should wait to discuss more until we reach the others.”