Page 150 of Queen’s Gambit

I sighed and pulled away. Then I dispelled the illusion I’d worn since we’d realised I had stopped ageing. The wrinkles vanished from my face, and my grey hair returned to its golden colour. Tova gasped, frowning as he watched the transformation unfold.

‘How?’ my son whispered through bloodless lips.

‘This is the face of the Songstress. I’m not human. I haven’t been for… well, some time now. My mother was a Vila, and once people started praying, there was no way back for me.’ I stroked Reynard’s hair. ‘Your father knew and loved me anyway. We agreed to leave together when the time came.’

My magic flowed over Reynard, wrapping him in an opaque emerald cocoon as I dismantled the illusion.

The change happened slowly. Layer after layer of illusion peeled away, uncovering the man who’d stopped ageing at the same time as me.

When the cocoon faded, revealing the king, Rey’s body was back to its prime. He opened his eye, his blue iris sparkling with mischief.

‘I really have to play dead?’ Rey asked teasingly.

‘The servants needed to see their king die for a peaceful transition,’ I reminded when he sat up. I passed him a porcelain mask and Brotherhood clothing.

‘Do I look as you remembered me?’ he chuckled, his hand drifting to his messy black hair in an all-too-familiar gesture.

You should’ve let me tell our son the truth. They’re coming, Cin whispered in my mind as heat spread outward from the centre of my chest.

‘Rey, say goodbye to Tova, and to Dagome. We must go,’ I said, sweat pooling under my collar when the burning in my core grew stronger. I’d crossed the line again, and this time, the elder gods would not forgive.

I focused on steadying my breathing as they exchanged their last words. Tova left with his face streaked with tears, lending credence to the story his parents had passed away. Danka arrived with a few trusted servants who placed two nameless corpses in the bed. My magic reshaped them to resemble us.

‘Goodbye, my liege,’ she said before we slipped into the hidden passage to escape.

‘Goodbye, my friend.’

The wind blew hard on the small plateau, blinding us with swirling dust. I tripped getting onto Cinared’s back, and in the end, Rey had to help me.

Cinared was so riled up he didn’t wait until we were settled before he leapt skyward.

With each beat of his wings, we moved closer to Tangra, the pull in my core subsiding to a dull ache. The magic of the land knew I was coming.

‘I lived a good life,’ I muttered, leaning back to rest my head on Reynard’s chest. For a long time, we said nothing. Still, when the sun painted the horizon pink, revealing the distant sea, Rey broke that silence.

‘What now, Viper?’

‘I don’t know. I guess we’ll stay in Tangra. A home where monsters can live forever.’