Ifan stood, expressionless, next to the queen who’d taken him in as a child, when the three siblings had been split apart in order to punish their rebellious father.
The empress released a settling breath, splashing in circles through the incoming tide to stand before Glesni’s lifeless form. I reached in for my gift, seeking the violet, but found Glesni’s power completely spent. My only chance was to take the other corpses. I closed my eyes. Could I do that? Could I control multiple limp bodies without harming those I loved? The empress jumped in the water, giggling before splashing a few more times.
‘You know, Asmar, little Ifan used to tell me all about this precious beach when those annoying nightmares kept him awake. You’ve no idea how I despised him. Sitting with a rathersnotty prince on my lap, pretending I wasn’t a monster just to shut him up. But I did like his stories about Asmar.’
She gazed about her, humming a lullaby, before releasing a long sigh. ‘I’ll be honest, I don’t get it, Ifan. It’s all so terribly…grey?’
She stepped forward, and Matthias’s fingers dug into mine. Pablo whined, lowering his head.
‘I told you what I’d do the second I stepped on – ooh, a puppy!’
Her knees sank into the sand before Pablo, the wolf averting his gaze from the empress.
‘Can I stroke him?’
She looked up at me, wide-eyed, and I glanced at Matthias, who shook his head.
‘He’s not…not exactly a pet,’ I said, fighting to keep the fear out of my tone.
Her bottom lip stuck out as she stared forlornly at the wolf. She leapt, and I almost screamed at her sudden movement.
‘He may not be a pet…but you are.’ She turned to Ifan, slapped his arm. ‘He didn’t tell me you could do that, Queen of Asmar, and I’m very cross with him. It’s not often I’m impressed, Mrs Asmar, but that little display? Bringing a dead Anomaly to life and blasting through your evil stepfather?’ She shivered dramatically. ‘It gave me chills. Honest. Look.’
She stuck her arm out in front of me. Matthias took a small step before me.
‘You’ll be very useful in my army,’ she said. ‘I already own Mr Asmar.’
My head whipped in Matthias’s direction. Confusion swept across his features, before he set his jaw.
‘You may own my brother, but you’ll never possess me.’
The empress kicked the waves as they rolled ever closer. My chest cleaved as they nudged Glesni, knocking her lifeless forminto the empress’s ankle. I reached out, praying my mentor could protect us one final time. I swallowed. I hadn’t practised with the gift. It had limitations. If only I’d heeded Glesni’s advice, if only I’d practised…
‘Ouch,’ she cried, before stepping backwards, never once taking her eyes from Matthias. ‘Oh, poor Mr Asmar. Let me tell you a secret.’ She placed her hands either side of her mouth as she stage whispered. ‘It was Ifan putting my notes on your pillow.’
I glared at him, his cheeks flushed with rage as he gripped my hand tighter. Notes? He hadn’t mentioned any notes. I pulled my fingers from his, but Matthias held on.
‘I think I’ve already worked that one out.’
She nodded solemnly, still increasing the distance between us till her features became a blur, and a chill raced down my spine.
‘Of course you did. You’re such a clever boy. Just not clever enough. Give me your wife, Asmar.’ The singsong lilt vanished. ‘Give her to me. She’ll live, Asmar. She’ll live.’
Matthias shuffled, and terror raced through me at the thought of what he was about to do. I squared my shoulders. He may be my husband, but I wouldn’t let him make my choices. I’d had enough of that.
‘He’s my husband, not my master.Idecide my future. And it will never contain you.’
‘Sorrow…’
‘No, Matthias. I don’t want to live if I haven’t got you. You can’t force me to serve her. I’ve been shoved from one person to the next my whole life. I won’t allow you to do this to me.’
A tear rolled down his cheek. Setting his jaw, he nodded and clutched my hand tighter.
‘Ooh, you two are so sweet.’ She halted, an immobile Ifan at her side. ‘I like you, Mrs Asmar. I really like you. And so, let me tellyoua little secret.’
My fingers twitched in Pablo’s fur.
‘Actually.’ She’d retreated so far I couldn’t make out her features. ‘I’m lying, it isn’t my secret. It’s your husband’s.’
