Page 79 of When Wishes Bleed

“Your grandmother is dying,” she said slowly.

“I know.” But I wondered how she’d learned of it.

“I know what she did to your mother.”

I hadn’t known until moments ago. The thought of being trapped in the soil made a shudder roll through me. “My earliest memory was of my grandmother telling me my mother was dead.” I didn’t elaborate on how Ela told me she’d died. “I just learned of her lie.”

The Queen stalked forward and didn’t mince words. “After we were married, your mother came to the castle often. Lucius said it was for readings, and I believe him when he said he wasn’t unfaithful. Cyril didn’t want him… she wanted his crown.”

I pursed my lips. It was painted all over her face that she thought I was no better than my scheming, manipulative mother.

“I’m sure that when she rises, it and you will be the first things she comes for. She’s powerful, Sable.”

“I know that.”

“Are you being honest when you say you want to protect my son? Because he’s a good man. He doesn’t deserve to be hurt. He certainly doesn’t deserve to be killed.”

“I bound my soul to his, Queen Annalina. If anything happens to him, if anyone mortally injures him, my soul will guard his. He will live.”

“And you?”

“I will accept his fate.”

“You would die for Tauren?” Her face blanched. A tear rolled from the corner of one eye. “Truly?”

I’d seen the Queen plenty of times since arriving at the palace. Never was a hair out of place. She remained poised, showed grace, and most of all, was the strong anchor on which the King depended. You could see the love between them as they presented themselves as a united front. This was the first time I’d seen her the least bit undone.

I should’ve expected nothing less from a mother who loved her son.

“Tauren isn’t very happy about the spell I used to bind us, but yes.” I took a deep breath before continuing, “I may not know very much about my mother, but I know without a doubt that I’m not like her.”

Her brows furrowed. “Do you care for Tauren?”

I swallowed. I couldn’t tell her how I felt when I hadn’t even told Tauren.

She nodded, straightening her spine and her suit jacket. “Thank you, Sable. I just pray that you are stronger than Cyril, and that you never give in to the darkness that consumed her.” Again, her eyes caught on my stained flesh.

Did she see the same spread over my mother’s skin?

Queen Annalina left as quickly as she’d come, her brawny guards trailing behind.

A moment later, Mira slipped back into the room. “Are you okay?” she asked, concern shining in her eyes.

“She knows about Ela’s failing health.”

“How?” she gasped, clutching her chest.

“Someone from Thirteen must have told her.”

“If the Circle knew someone was reporting to the King and Queen…”

“It could be a Circle member, for all we know.”

Mira was holding a black garment in her hand. “We made this for you to wear today.”

“Do you know what the other women will be wearing?”

“They’ll all be in pastels, of course,” she said disgustedly. “All of them are wearing their hair up in twists and braids.”

---