‘We’re not …’
‘It’s man’s greatest folly to think themselves higher than other animals.All mortal creatures are lesser beings, and this is no different from any other porcelain.It’s just a chair.See for yourself.’She took me by the shoulders and pushed me down onto the cushions.
It was just a chair.And a coffin is just a chest.The Queen hovered over me, her hands still on my shoulders, her face dangerously close.If she decided to bite me, there would be nothing I could do.I would be hers.
‘Look at you.’Her thumb trailed the curve of my cheek.‘So young and full of life.’
I fought the urge to push her away, swallowing my fear.
‘Tell me, what did Raleigh promise you in exchange for lying to me?’
‘Have I lied to you?’I asked sweetly.
‘Perhaps not,’ she said, her voice lilting in amusement.She didn’t believe me, but I was still alive, which meant she couldn’t prove thelie yet.She pressed me into the back of the throne, leaning her full weight against me.Her hair smelt clean, like lavender.‘Tell me how you feel about Raleigh.’
‘I love him,’ I said, ever the lovesick maiden.
‘Even though he killed your mother?’
I stiffened.How far did her knowledge extend?What more did she know?Had she heard of my deal with Raleigh?My engagement with Yann?
‘That’s what my father told me too,’ I said, digging deep into my maze of panic to find the right words.‘But what Raleigh did was out of mercy.She would have died either way.I already forgave him.He’s worth too much to me to let the lies my father told me tarnish what we have.’That wasn’t a lie.
The Queen made a noise partway between disgust and boredom.‘Love like this doesn’t last.Not for eternity.You know that, don’t you?’
‘Raleigh isn’t my first love’—truth made the story easier to spin— ‘but it was nothing like this.What Raleigh and I have … This isn’t the sort of love that fades.’
‘Unlike your last fiancé?’
‘If I’d loved Yann like I love Raleigh, we wouldn’t be here,’ I said, realising too late the sharpness of my words.
I thought she would reprimand me for my outburst, but her smile was almost expectant.‘He couldn’t give you eternity.No human can.And that’s what you really want, isn’t it?You can tell me the truth, you know.’Her lips brushed my ear.‘Raleigh can’t hear us from here.’
‘What do you …’ The truth clicked into place.She thoughtIwas deceivinghimso he would change me.I wanted to laugh.It made our case so much stronger if she already believed Raleigh loved me.As long as I could keep up my smitten lovesick act and avoid any outright lies, we would be on our way home before sunrise.
‘Did he tell you he would turn you into one of us?’
‘Only once we are married.’I furrowed my brow, aware I was overacting, but I didn’t know how else to convince her.
‘It was hisdecision to wait, I assume?’Her fingers trailed the length of my arm, goosebumps blooming in the wake of her knife-like nails.
‘Yes,’ I breathed, unsure where her logic was carrying her.
‘You don’t have to marry him.’She began tracing figure eights over the vein on my wrist.‘I could change you now.You wouldn’t have to age another day.Nor force yourself into a loveless match.’
‘That’s not what I—’ I snatched my hand away, but she caught it, smiling.
‘All I ask in return is that you join my court.You need not be parted from Raleigh, if you insist on pretending to be besotted with him.He’ll be right here with you.’
‘I appreciate the offer, Your Majesty, but Rostenburg is my home.You need not burden yourself with another mouth to feed.’
‘Burden?Are you always so cruel to yourself?’Her fingers intertwined with mine so that she held my hand like a lover.‘Why would you think I would want him any more than I want you?Raleigh is precious to me, true, but two beautiful things are better than one, are they not?’
She kissed my wrist.This time she didn’t let me tear my hand away.I studied her expression, the curl of her lip, her hooded eyes.Her expression was cold, amused.She had calculated every moment leading to this one.She’d never intended to listen to me.She’d never even intended for me to leave this throne.
She was going to kill me.
‘You’ve gone tense,’ she murmured, stroking my arm.
