“You know what the worst part is?” I said more to myself than to Cordelia. “For a moment there, when he kissed me back, I forgot everything. The treaty, the politics, the fact that he abandoned me without a word. I just remembered us.”
Cordelia drifted closer, her form shimmering in the fading light. “Perhaps that’s not the worst part at all, darling. Perhaps that’s the part worth fighting for.”
I traced my lower lip with my fingertip, still feeling the phantom pressure of his mouth. “How do you fight for someone who’s spent six years building walls specifically designed to keep you out?”
“The same way you cast your most powerful spells. One bit of magic at a time.”
When it was time to get ready for dinner, Cordelia insisted I wear the deep green gown, gesturing to one hanging in the enormous closet. I’d brought clothing with me, but nothing like this.
“For symbolism,” she said. “It looks wonderful with your eyes, and victory always looks better in emerald.”
Quandary, who’d returned but hadn’t told me where he’d gone despite me asking, perched on the vanity, supervising.Do you think vampires brood horizontally or upright?
“I don’t care how he broods,” I said, fastening my earrings. “He can do it upside down like a bat, for all I care.”
Uh-huh.
“I don’t care.”
Sure.
“I don’t.”
Cordelia hummed. “Then why are you redoing your lipstick?”
I glared at my reflection. “Because I smudged it arguing with you.”
They both smirked, which was impressive, considering one of them didn’t technically have lips.
Despite me telling them both to remain in the room, I left for dinner with them following me.
Word of the incident appeared to have quickly spread through the castle.
As I made my way down to the first level for dinner, servants peeked from doorways and ducked into corners, their whispers trailing behind me. The air practically hummed with energy. My joy magic responded instinctively, slipping through the corridors in a slow, golden glow. Sconces burned brighter. The scent of blooming flowers drifted through rooms that hadn’t seen sunlight in centuries. Even the portraits on the walls seemed to be watching me with new interest.
When I passed the grand staircase, a maid actually curtsied and whispered, “Long live the queen.”
That nearly made me trip.
By the time I reached the ground floor, I was half mortified, half exhilarated, and entirely out of coherent thought.
I slipped into a parlor and dropped into one of the cushioned chairs, pressing a hand to my heart.
Cordelia sat beside me.
“They’re all talking about it, aren’t they?” I croaked.
“Of course they are. You made them feel something. Vampires don’t do that often. I imagine it’s all the rage now.”
“Wonderful. I’ll have to start charging for lessons.”
Quandary fluttered into the room and skidded across a table, nearly toppling a statue before coming to a halt.Told you he liked you.
I don’t believe he does.
He does too. You should’ve seen his face after. He was blushing!
“Enough.” I jabbed a finger toward him. “The kiss was political theater. He knows it, I know it. Nothing more.”
