“Have you never seen a summer game, my girl?” the queen tittered.
Free from royal attention, Sansu nodded vigorously, his eyes locked on me.
“Yes,” I replied. “But I can’t say I paid the best attention before. It’s only recently that I’ve gained interest.”
Henri laid a hand on my arm. “When we started courting, I talked her ear off about croquet.” He gave the king and queen a charming smile.
“Then you’re doing your civil duty,” the Red Queen replied as she reached for her wine glass and took another sip. “Of course, I’ll be taking part in the croquet match this year too.” She set her glass down, this time closer to me.
My breath hitched. This was my chance.
I grabbed my goblet, and under the guise of casually wrapping my fingers around it, tapped the glass three times before taking a sip, then set it as close to the queen’s as I dared.
“And you, My King?” Henri asked, clearly catching my signal as he leaned over the table to lock eyes with the king. “Will you participate this year, too?”
The king boomed out a laugh. “My love has made it clear that my croquet game is a disgrace to the crown. Only she will represent us.”
“It’s always such a pleasure to watch Her Majesty,” Sansu said.
“I’ll second that,” Alran said, his violet eyes twinkling as he shot the queen a smoldering look.
For the first time since we joined them, my aunt turned a little pink.
“Our kingdom is lucky to have such a lovely monarch who is also very skilled at the realm’s game,” the elf purred.
Freaking finally, she twisted to face the guys, and began chatting with Alran.
I discreetly plucked the vial out of my bodice, and stuck it in my sleeve. Then I reached for my own wine glass, right next to the queen’s, and knocked it over.
I leapt up as if attempting to catch the goblet, and deposited the poison in the queen’s glass. I was done by the time my goblet shattered.
The guards a few feet behind us lurched forward, and everyone in the room twisted in their seats to stare.
I threw my hands over my face. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to. I—”
The queen’s hand landed on my arm, gripping it tight. “My dearest niece, I was wondering when you’d finally show up.”
My blood froze as my gaze snapped to her. How did she guess?
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Majesty,” I replied, trying to keep up the charade.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Alice!” The queen’s composure disintegrated, and she shot out of her seat.
My heart raced as soldiers inched closer.Her back was turned. There was no way she saw me poison her drink, and she hasn’t taken a sip yet. What gave me away?
“Stupid girl. Returning to Faerie was foolish,” the queen hissed so that only those at the head table would hear.
I lifted my chin in defiance. “How did you know?”
The Red Queen laughed. “There have been rumors for days of a blonde girl crossing the island, assaulting my subjects in her wake.”
My mind flashed back to the Oyster House. Clearly, the hat hadn’t been enough of a cover. I should have just finished those in the room off, when I’d had the chance.
“And then you made such a mess with the bandersnatch debacle, throwing aether everywhere. Only a fae of the White line could produce such a flux—so I took precautions.” She thrust a finger to her glass.
My eyes followed and widened.
The wine, which had been red, was now a bright green. She’d put something in it to identify poisons.
