A what? I flick my gaze to Gwyneth, who stands beside Hart. She gives a subtle shrug, while Nash frowns. Okay, well, the two smartest people in the room have zero clue what a jinn is.
The Red Queen tilts her head, and I send a prayer to the Idols that she’s not about to uncover the fact he grants wishes, because I don’t think we would get to leave anytime soon.
“And the broom? Why does it fly?” she asks. My shoulders slump.
“He is a gift to the lady Daphne. Right now, we aren’t sure what he does.”
The queen’s eyes land on me before flicking to my hand tangled with Theo’s. “You are Daphne?”
“I am.”
“Why has the hatter graced you with one of his creations?” she demands.
Umm. “He said I had a pretty head?”
“It will look even prettier bouncing around my courtyard.”
The courtiers shift with excitement. Glad to know what passes for entertainment in this kingdom.
A growl rumbles from Nash, making my eyes widen. He’s a split tempo away from losing his shit, and I can’t reassure him, because I’m soothing Theo’s dragon.
The Red Queen points at Theo. “And you are the biggest and most interesting creature to enter my kingdom.”
Theo’s jaw ticks. “I am common in my realm.” Liar. I killed the only other dragon. He’s the opposite of common.
“You are? I want to see you.”
Theo shifts beside me. “I am not safe in that form. I fear I may injure your courtiers.”
The Red Queen huffs and glances over her shoulder at the dark-haired, dark-eyed guard. “Clear out the courtiers.”
He opens his mouth at the same time as me. “That is not enough,” I interject. “His winged form is unpredictable, violent,and bloodthirsty.” We have to extract ourselves from this room. Maybe if we can persuade her to go outside, Theo can fly us all away from here?
“What are you doing?” Theo mutters.
“Improvising,” I answer.
“Show yourselves, or you will not see another dawn,” the Red Queen says as her eyes gleam. I’m not sure which she is hoping for.
“Perhaps outside would be better,” the guard at her side suggests.
The Red Queen makes a noise of protest and then sighs. “Fine. They can show me their winged creature outside. It is time for my daily match of croquet.” She points at me. “You shall play me for the flying beasts at your command.”
Charming rises. “They are mine.”
The Red Queen scoffs. “I am no fool. Do not try to pull the wool over my eyes, Prince. That girl holds more power than you in her little finger.”
Charming chokes on his words as the Red Queen’s lips twitch. “Men have long believed themselves to be the rulers of the world, but we know the truth. I cracked that lie wide open like the head of the man who thought he could control me with tales of romance and whispers of the heart.”
She’s a revolutionary leader. I can work with that, so long as she keeps her hands off my knights.
“A show and a game,” the guard decrees with a clap of his hands. The doors slam open behind us, and the courtiers rush out. We stay frozen, unsure of the right time to follow.
The Red Queen descends the steps and strides toward me, grabbing my arm and linking it through hers. I still have hold of Theo’s hand. She smiles at me like she’s trying to make friends, but the violence banked in her gaze is a hair’s breadth away from slicing any one of us open.
“It’s all right, my dear. You need my wisdom to reign over your kingdom, and I shall provide it, be a mentor in the shadows. But heed my first lesson: love and kindness will not hold your throne. Men follow only the whip of dread, so instill fear, not adoration.”
Idols, save me.
