Page 39 of The Queen The Fae Forgot
“Is that so?” I asked, feigning surprise. “And yet here you are, giving me a very personal introduction.”
Fauna’s sneer deepened as she took a step closer to me, her ladies-in-waiting moving with her like a flock of birds.
“I just wanted to make sure the new girl knew her place,” she said, her voice low and menacing. “You’re nothing but a commoner, a nobody, and yet you dare to walk around like you own this place.”
I was starting to grow tired of this back-and-forth, but I knew I couldn’t let Fauna get the best of me.
I leaned in closer to her, my voice low and dangerous. “I am more significant than you could ever imagine.”
Fauna’s expression shifted from haughty to curious. “Oh? And why is that? Is that why my mother has you sitting around with your face in books all day, studying … what? The same stories I was taught as a child.”
I could feel the eyes of her ladies-in-waiting on me, their giggles dying down as they sensed the change in the air.
I cocked my head to the side.
“Is that what this is? Are you … jealous I’m getting the queen’s attention?”
Fauna waved her hand dismissively. “Please, I’m the one wearing the crown.”
I didn’t know why that bothered me so much, but I felt my hackles raise. Of course, she was wearing the crown, I could see it now, glittering above my own face sneering before me. It was an ugly face when she wore it, and that made me even more angry, too.
“You may be wearing a crown now,” I hissed at her, “but we’ll see how long that lasts.”
For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then, a ripple of laughter broke out amongst Fauna’s courtiers.
“See how long that lasts?” Fauna repeated, her voice laced with amusement. “Oh my dear, is that a threat?”
I straightened my spine, holding her gaze with unwavering confidence. “Take it how you will.”
I turned to go, finished with this useless encounter, when I was stopped by the low sound of something like a growl from deep down in the princess’ throat.
“I didn’t say that you could leave … turn around.”
The command dripped from her mouth like acid so strong I had no choice but to do as she said, my feet slowly pivoting beneath me until our eyes met.
The way she looked at me, it certainly looked like she could spit that acid if she tried. Not that she needed to. The next words she spoke were biting enough on their own.
“Bow to me.”
My brows drew together and my pride flared within me, “And why should I do that?”
Her brow raised. “Because I commanded you to, insolent girl. Now bow to me or I will have you cast out.”
She lifted her chin, but so did I.
This was a test, I knew it. I could feel the entire room holding its breath, waiting to see what I would do. I could feel the power radiating from Fauna, and I knew if I bowed, it would be seen as a sign of weakness.
But I also knew that if I didn’t bow, I’d have made another enemy within these walls.
There was a third option, of course. I reached inside myself for a moment, feeling for the wells of my glamour. I found it, my own glamour, more than enough to glamour the princess if I needed to.
But then I’d have to glamour all of them, and was that what I really intended to do? I had to pick my battles carefully, and relying on my glamour was a slippery slope. I’d already been accused of using my powers against one too many fae today.
Fauna had no right to demand such a thing from me—not when she had no idea who I truly was.
But then again, that was my own fault. I was the one who made her forget.
So, with that in mind, after a moment of silence, I did the only thing I could think of.
