Page 92 of The Witch Queen

A crease digs between Constance’s brows. “More? What else is there?”

“Surely you have other interests,” I reply. “Wouldn’t you prefer to pursue your own occupations?”

“Occupations,” Elinor echoes, puzzled. “Such as what—the trials?”

They both laugh, but I don’t join them.

“I suppose,” I say. “Is that so difficult to believe?”

There’s a beat of silence.

“Onlymencan join the trials, Princess,” Constance says gently.

“And?” I ask. “I’m not a man. Exceptions can obviously be made. I honestly don’t understand why other women didn’t join.”

Constance fiddles with a chain hanging from her waist. “Because circumstances are different for us, Princess. Even if we were allowed to join, should we attempt the trials and fail, we’d be cast out of court. No man would have us to wife. But whetheryouwin or lose, Highness, your hand will be highly sought-after.”

“My hand? If I win, I’ll be queen.”

“Yes, but you’ll still have tomarry,” Elinor says. “And Constance is right. You’ll be a great prize.”

She smiles at me and winks, as though she expects me to smile back. Like she’s given me a high compliment. But all I feel is an oily sense of dread. Is that all I am? Aprize? A stag in the forest with a golden apple dangling from my antlers? This is why I vowed never to marry. If love is real, it certainly doesn’t exist in this court.

“Oh, look there.” Constance shades her eyes as she peers at something over my shoulder. “Does that personwantsomething from us?”

I follow her gaze and spot a young woman on the other side of the garden, waving enthusiastically in our direction. Verity. My stomach drops. I’ve been avoiding her since my conversation with Aunt Margaret.

“Oh, that’s the Talbot girl,” Elinor says, frowning in distaste. “I still can’t believe that stunt she pulled at the pall-mall game. Poor Isabel.”

Constance makes a noise of agreement. “And she’s so vulgar. I don’t care what her title is, there’s no costume on earth that could entice a decent match to marryher.”

Anger crackles in my wrists. I want to snap at them that I greatly prefer Verity’s company over their insipid prattle. But I don’t. Because I promised Aunt Margaret that I would make more of an effort with the ladies of court.

“I’ll go see what she wants,” I say.

“Be careful,” Elinor calls out. “I think she might bite.”

Their grating laughter follows behind me.

“You looked like you needed rescuing,” Verity says when I reach her. “Sorry I didn’t have a mallet this time.”

A mallet sounds like an excellent idea. But I remind myself of Aunt Margaret’s warning. I believed Verity to be my friend, but I reallydon’tknow anything about her loyalties. After all, Verity had been so quick to defend Ayleth. Maybe there was a reason for that. Maybe Verity was only interested in me because of my position. Hedging her bets in case I won.

“I don’t need rescuing,” I tell her.

“Really? Because I’ve met rocks more interesting than those two.”

“They’re not so bad.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Verity casts a dubious look at the other young women. “Anyway, I spent the morning in the library. We can go over my notes together if you like.”

She holds up the pile of books she’s carrying, which only deepens my guilt. But I shove that down.

“I can’t right now.”

“Later, then,” she suggests. “Or tomorrow? The ball isn’t until the evening. I could—”

“Thank you,” I interrupt. “But I should finish my studies on my own.”