He was good at that. Walking away.
Asshole.
Lord Belshazzar waited until the other lord had taken his seat before asking me once more, “Gwynnore, what say you? Do you accept the trials?”
I inhaled heavily and exhaled slowly. I tipped my face up to his. “I do, Lord Belshazzar.”
This time, he did glance up to the other overlords.
Lord Xenon nodded, his eyes on mine.
Lord Pippin nodded while evaluating his fingernails.
Lord Otto shook his head, his jaw tight.
Lord Cato nodded his head once. Yawned.
Lord Belshazzar’s regard returned to me. “The majority agrees. The Council is pleased with the outcome. You have passed your first Challenge.”
My gulp was audible. Damn throat was dry.
The eldest lord turned to the other women. “Ladies, thank you for coming. You may go now.” Quick and efficient. As the women trailed out the room, the lord’s attention returned to me. He stated factually, “We will be watching. I suggest you follow Lord Cato’s orders and refrain from tracking Anna down.”
All right. I was the Queen Novitiate now.
My civility crumbled in glee.
“Fuck you, bastards,” I growled and started marching toward the door. “I wasn’t going to ask her anything, and all you’re doing is pissing me off.”
Lord Xenon called, “I wondered when we would see your true side again.”
I turned around and pointed a sharp finger at him. “I did not appreciate you messing with my invite. I was trying, dammit. And you went and fucked that up.”
No expression, not even a little crack. “That was the point, candidate.”
Lord Otto smirked, adding, “How much can you handle before you break?”
I snorted and threw my arms wide. “I’m the best bitch you guys have ever had in here. The past three queen’s, while beautiful and elegant, didn’t do shit for our people. And you know it. So quit pushing, and I’ll do the same. But if you don’t…you get the fun Gwen!”
With that, I turned on my heel and slammed the door behind me.
Arrogant assholes.
CHAPTEREIGHT
~ GWYNNORE ~
“Did you get it? Did you get it? Did you get it?”Adelie pounced.
I shut my apartment’s door behind me gently…
A shit-eating grin spread across my features, and I screamed, “I got it! Oh, my God. I’m the Queen Novitiate!”
Adelie squealed right along with me, throwing her arms over my shoulders.
I picked her up and swung her around and around in circles laughing.
Then I dumped her straight on her butt onto the floor, ignoring her initial startled glance, and lowered my voice as low as I could, attempting to imitate the overlords. “Listen, wench, you barely scraped through. You better shape up or you’re out of here!”
