I whip to my left. In trembling hands, the queen brandishes a silver dagger as she appears from a shadowy portal in a purple dressing gown and with braided hair, seemingly partway through getting ready for the wedding. Her sallow eyes fix on Will with pure unbridled hatred.
“Queen Fern!” I gasp, and hold my palms up.
“See?” another voice says from beyond the shadows. Morgana. “I told you they’d come for him.”
The sorcerer strides from the portal, her pointed chin high. She rests her painted nails on Queen Fern’s shoulders and leans close to her ear. “Itoldyou, Fernie.”
“Where’s Bash?” Will growls.
“Wouldn’t you like to know, little mouse?” Morgana says, and runs her lavender eyes up and down the pair of us. “I’m surprised he survived your vicious attack.”
“You meanyourattack,” I bite back.
The queen glances at me for the briefest of seconds, a suppressed bewilderment flashing across her face.
“Myattack?” Morgana says, restraining her rage. “You see, Fernie, your son’s concerns were right. That boy must have done something awful to make her say such things.”
“Felicity…” the queen says, her voice as jittery as the dagger in her hand. “You’re going to tell me the truth now, dear. Like you always do.”
“Iamtelling the truth. Morgana made Will attack the castle.”
“That boy has been terrorizing this citadel for years,” Morgana snaps, stabbing a finger. “He’s been a menace, fueled by jealousy and revenge. Of course, he thought to ruin your son’s wedding by destroying your castle, your home.”
“That’s not true—” I interrupt.
“And even worse! He murders one of your most loyal guards. An honest and hard working—”
Will falls back a step.
“SHUT UP!” I yell. “Youdid that. Howell’s blood is onyourhands.”
“Mine? Gosh, this girl really wants you to turn against me. How did he corrupt your curse, sweet petal? I’d love to know how you’re able to spread such terrible lies now.”
I throw the queen pleading eyes. “Please, Your Majesty. You know me. You know I can’t lie. You have to believe me.”
Fern stammers. Morgana places a hand on her back, moving it in small comforting circles, and whispers something that sows doubt in the queen’s eyes.
“I know you ordered the flowers to break Bastion’s curse,” I say. “I know about the spell. You can’t go through with it. It’s going to kill Card.”
“The flowers…” the queen mutters. “I ordered them anonymously. How did you…?”
Her eyes dart to Will. She takes a step forward, stretching her forearm until the dagger is a step away from my throat and I’m doused in her foxglove aroma.
“He told you. He found out somehow,” she mutters, a wild glint in her eyes. “He’s been mocking me this whole time.”
“No, I heard—”
“Felicity, you more than anyone should understand,” Fern cuts in. “I’m doing this for my son! Generations of royals in this kingdom have ruled with magic and kept threats at bay. Bastion will not be the exception. He willnotbring destruction to this family. He will finally be able to use magic and never have to feel powerless again.”She swipes the knife in Will’s direction. “He’ll never have to deal withyouagain.”
Will is rooted where he stands. If Morgana is believed, then there’s no future for him. There’s no going back to the Library or clearing his name. There’s no chance for the dreams we talked about last night. He’s as good as dead. Hysteria rises in my throat like bile.
“Your Majesty, please, the spell will take Cardamine’s life,” I urge, flexing my open hands toward her. “Bastion wouldnevertrade him for the use of magic. You should know this. You know how much he loves Card. Please. Please believe me. Bash wouldn’t want this.”
She sways, suddenly disoriented, and when she blinks and tries to focus on me, her mouth hardens in disappointment. I’m no longer her tool. Just a discarded waste of time.
“No,” the queen says, matter of fact. She throws her head back and becomes a shadow of regality once more. “Morgana says it’ll be fine. She says you want to tear us down, make us weak. She says—”
“She’s lying to you! Listen to me, she’s been poisoning your husband. The attack last night was because she tried to assassinate him. Hasn’t he been getting much sicker lately? Haven’t you noticed?”
