Page 33 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“That was stupid and reckless.” I pushed my hair from my face, my stomach still gnawing at me. It craved, demanded more.

“You are not satiated.”

“Why does everyone think I’m not satisfied? I am satisfied,” I growled.

When I looked back at Reggie, I realized that was not what he meant. His eyes held no flicker of understanding, only stared at me, scolding. “You have not fed since Tarr. How long did you think you would last without sufficient feeding? You must tell Samkiel or risk his exposure.”

“You do not tell me what to do,” I snapped back.

“I do when it endangers us all.” He shook his head. “An Ig’Morruthen that is starved and deprived of their basic needs could cause immeasurable damage. If that happens, if you snap while you are so concerned for him and not yourself, you will damn us all, and his entire resurrection will be pointless. Is that what you wish?”

The air sucked from the room. I had never heard Reggie even slightly raise his voice, yet here he was.

“What have you seen?” I asked, realizing what had instigated his sudden spark of anger.

His eyes met mine. “I saw Jade City ablaze.” He didn’t lower his gaze. “I saw it crumble and fall to the waiting sea below.”

TWELVE

MISKA

“All that means is we need to move up our timeline.”

Pots and pans rattled as I made my way into the kitchen. The voices always stopped when I entered. I wiped the sleep from my eyes as Sashau and Killie looked at me. Both were dressed for the day, their shimmering hair swept back from their faces with the royal blue of our queen on their lids.

“Am I-I,” I stuttered. “Did I miss an announcement?”

They looked at each other. It reminded me of the secrets they all shared and how I was always left out. I always assumed it was because I was the youngest or maybe because my mom took me away when I was a babe, but either way, I still was and always would be unwelcome.

“Yes,” Sashau said, circling the long table. “The queen requested dinner tonight with Cedaar. A big announcement or something.”

“Or something.” Killie snickered behind her, and Sashau waved her off.

“Oh.” I wiped my hands on my pajamas, not able to hide the nerves and my shaking hands. “I’ll need to prepare, then. I can help with whatever is needed.”

Stupid. I always did this, offering to help when they never wanted it or me. It seemed I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted to fit in here, to belong, and the more I tried, the more they laughed or ignored me.

Sashau smiled, but the expression didn’t reach her eyes. The kitchen staff avoided us and kept busy, scurrying about their tasks. One healer walked in with a large assortment of flowers and vines, a few others following. Big dinner, indeed.

Sashau’s hand stayed on my shoulder as she led me out of the kitchen and into the hall.

“Actually, we do need your help.”

“Really?” I didn’t know why I sounded so happy, nor did I care. “Yes. I mean. Whatever it is, I wish to help.”

I CHANGED CLOTHES, HOPING THE LONG SHEER DRESS THEY GAVE ME looked appropriate. The dress was far too long for me, but none of the other girls here were even close to my age or height, so I made it work. I didn’t even realize I was smiling until I passed one healer, and they looked at me a little too long. I was just so happy they wanted my help and I could do something. It made me feel less alone. I neared the bathing chambers as voices picked up. I walked through the large cutout door, and the voices died.

The one Xio called Reggie stopped speaking and glanced toward me. The healers had whispered how he was probably Xio’s consort, but she never touched him like she did Cedaar, nor did they share the same longing glances or quick kisses. I told them he was just their friend, but they laughed at me, claiming I didn’t know anything, so I stopped talking.

“Hello, Miska of Vervannia.”

I smiled every time he said that. Reggie had caught me outside late one night. I had escaped my room to read my mother’s journal in peace. We had talked, and I shared some of my past with him. He’d said that he didn’t sleep much, and most of the time, I didn’t either. He said there was a word in Xio’s language that described my nighttime routines, but I could never pronounce it. It made me happy that he remembered my mother’s home. It made her real when he spoke of it, and it made my life with her real.

I grabbed the edges of my gown and bowed. “Hello, Reggie.”

“Ugh, please don’t ever bow to him. I can only handle one ego at a time.”

Xio sat on the edge of the large mort tub. Even sitting, she defined elegance. She was half-reclined, her leg crossed over the other, blocking my view of Cedaar. He lounged in the murky, flower-infused bath. Sometimes, I thought the other healers just enjoyed watching him bathe. I truly didn’t think they helped, but again, I kept it to myself.

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