Page 26 of The Witch Queen

“Oh, it’s absolutely adorable!” the duchess exclaims, lifting the piece. “How did you know that I’m collecting miniatures? They’re all the rage now in Darryn.”

Miniatures?The brooch is Dwarvian and I know of several courtiers who would scratch one another’s eyes out for something half its value.

“I’m pleased you like it,” I say, forcing civility into my tone. Then, to Blodwyn, “I chose yours specifically.”

I smile at her, hoping to receive one in return. I’m disappointed. Instead, Blodwyn opens the box and withdraws a glass globe. Inside, a tiny replica of the White Palace is perched upon its mountain. Like Margaret’s gift, the piece is Dwarvian. Minuscule horses and carts travel up the mountainside. Tiny guards traverse the battlements and lights flicker in the palace windows. There are even clouds skating across the top of the globe, with snow drifting down to settle at the base. But if the princess appreciates the craftsmanship, she doesn’t comment.

“A piece of home,” I explain when her silence stretches on too long to be comfortable. “Seeing as you’ve been away from the palace for so long.”

“How special,” Margaret comments. “I think I had one like that when I was a child.”

Achild,which the princess clearly is not. In fact, next to Blodwyn’s grown-up appearance, the gift is ridiculous.I’mridiculous for having selected it. Heat climbs up the back of my neck. Margaret takes the globe from Blodwyn’s hands and examines it. For an instant, it looks as though the duchess holds the White Palace itself in her grip.

“My,” the duchess remarks, “how things have changed.”

Those gray eyes land on mine again and my power buzzes within me, shadows undulating in the far corners of the courtyard.

“Noteverythinghas changed,” someone calls.

Princess Margaret’s expression lights up. “Is that my Westy?”

“At your service, my most graceful Grace.”

I share a beleaguered look with Joan. This is going to be alongvisit.

“What have you been up to all this time?” Margaret asks, extending her hand to the Lord of Misrule, who raises it to his lips. “Did you marry? Are there little Westons running around?”

“Marry?” He scoffs. “Your Grace knows that my heart has only ever been yours.”

Margaret laughs and thumps Weston playfully on his shoulder. “Still a shameless flirt.”

“Would you have me any other way?” Weston asks, waggling his eyebrows. “In fact, might I have the honor of escorting you to your rooms? I think I recall where they are.”

I inwardly cringe.

“Not just yet. First, we have a gift for you.Allof you. Don’t we, Blodwyn?” Margaret places her hand on the princess’s shoulder. “Go on, my dear. Tell them the good news.”

Blodwyn’s gaze locks with mine.

“I’ve come to present myself for Braxos’s Trials.”

There’s a moment of stunned silence and then gasps dart around me. Even Weston appears startled. He drops Margaret’s bouquet, the roses like a puddle of blood on the flagstones.

“What does that mean?” I murmur to Joan.

She blinks, giving herself a shake. “It means she—”

“It means that the princess is here to take her official place,” Margaret supplies smoothly. “To claim her right to the throne.”

Part II

A letter arrived today. Fromher.

She invited us to the palace, claiming she wants to host a “proper” royal visit to thank Aunt Margaret for her care of me. Ayleth must assume I’m the biggest fool alive if she guesses that I’ll fall for such a ruse. Then again…it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve believed her lies. At the palace, I considered her my friend. My sister, even. But all Ayleth really desired was to wheedle her way into Mother’s place.

For so long, I didn’t want to accept that Ayleth was capable of such treachery. But the truth revealed itself in how quickly she packed me off to Aunt Margaret’s estate. In the cold, sterile tone of her infrequent letters, in which she never mentioned my return to the palace. In the news that trickled in from court—Papa’s accident and Ayleth’s regency. And now I wonder if my being sent away wasn’t due to my illness at all, but because it was more convenient for Ayleth to succeed in her scheming if I wasn’t around.

Well, two can play at this game, as Aunt Margaret says. Let the so-called queen sit on Mother’s throne while she can.