Page 21 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“Please.” She chuckled slightly, waving her hand. “You do not have to bow, Cedaar. You are a guest here.”

Cedaar. The name Dianna and Roccurem suggested, along with this elaborate ruse. I smiled and stood upright as she waved me over.

The large carved-out windows allowed the clouds in. They spread inside and dusted the floor in a pink haze. Plant life spread over every portion of this luxurious room as it did this entire world. Large baskets, overflowing with brilliant flowers, hung every few feet. Several plush, elongated ottomans were placed about the room, each paired with a small table lined with bowls of fruits and pastries.

“You summoned me, my queen.”

It still felt peculiar to have that roll off my tongue. Dianna was my queen, the only one who would receive that title from me, the only one I’d bow to. Yet I had to play the part, so I forced myself to use the correct terms.

Frilla blushed, the lavender hue across her cheeks darkening. Her consorts glared at us, the two men and women sitting at the far end of the room, whispering as they finished their morning meal. I couldn’t help the small smirk that curved my lips, remembering my own breakfast.

Frilla stopped in front of me, clasping her hands in front of her. The intricate flower crown she wore rose high on her head, parts of it twisting like vines on trees with small flowers that seemed to open and close.

“Pennynickels,” I said, nodding toward it.

She giggled as she raised her hand to touch it. “Yes. Are you familiar? They are a lost jewel.”

I swallowed. “My mother had a garden when I was younger. She liked them and said they winked when they were happy and well taken care of.”

I didn’t mention how my father had surprised her with a whole bush of them one year with as many colors as he could find just to make her smile. How every early morning, she would take me on a walk to see them since they seemed to enjoy sunrises the most.

Frilla didn’t press the conversation, taking my words as flirtation as they were meant to be. Her cheeks heated as her lashes beat a fraction harder. “Come sit with me.”

Flashing a brief smile, I nodded and followed after her as she turned, the train of her dress flowing behind her. I glanced around the room. I knew there were no exits besides the main bay windows and the door, and the florals she had in here were all harmless, but I could still smell the tinge of something more potent. A male servant pulled a chair out for her, and a woman appeared, filling her cup with a liquid that filled the air with a sweet aroma.

I sat at the small table as another man brought me the same drink.

“Thank you once again for helping as you have and letting us stay.”

She smiled, interlacing her fingers as she leaned forward. “Of course. Any member of The Eye is a friend to us. Nismera and her legion have been a disease on these realms, you know.”

“Yes, very well.”

She took a sip of her wine, savoring it. Placing her cup down, she ran her finger over her lower lip, catching the drop that had threatened to fall onto the white lace of her dress. She held my gaze as she slipped her finger into her mouth and sucked. A bold and flirtatious move, and one I had to pretend to enjoy even though it did absolutely nothing for me.

Her consorts seemed to dislike it as well, shifting restlessly and avoiding meeting either of our gazes.

“Even with the request to meet alone, I sense the Ig’Morruthen through these walls. She does not stray too far from you, does she? Not that I blame her,” she all but purred.

A smile spread across my lips. I assumed she’d nap until I went back upstairs after this morning, but I shouldn’t be surprised. Since Rashearim, she hadn’t left my side. Even with the thick walls separating us here, I still felt Dianna as if she were next to me.

“No, she does not.” I nodded. “She’s protective.”

“I’ve noticed.” The queen raised her brow. “How serious are you two?”

She is my everything. The words floated across my mind, a truth that lived deeper than my flesh and bone, one buried in my very atoms.

“You know war.” I shrugged, forcing a smile. “It breeds closeness but not permanence.”

Her eyes flicked across me, and I tried not to show my disinterest.

“I must say, it is quite intimidating for us to be this close to one.” She giggled. “An Ig’Morruthen. We heard the stories of how the Primordials made them from a fraction of themselves to best the gods. They were granted the power to devastate cities, yet this one seems most content to just be in your presence.” She reached forward and grabbed a small piece of fruit from the tray. Popping it into her mouth, she chewed and swallowed before saying, “Tell me, just out of curiosity, what deathly gift does she possess? The most legendary could breathe lightning like the gods long dead.”

I buried my uneasiness at her question, instead reaching for my glass and taking a sip. “Flame, Your Majesty.”

“Fire? That’s . . . old.”

“Old?” I raised a brow.

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