Page 15 of Cursed Crowns

“Not so fast!” said Shen, swiping it out of her hands.

She scowled at him.

“And to our new queens,” said Thea deftly. “Long may they reign.”

“I’ll drink to that,” said Wren.

Rose smiled at her sister across the table as they raised their glasses.

For a short while after that, everyone behaved themselves, Cam’s food working its own special kind of magic. For dessert, the head cook personally ushered in a glimmering tower of macarons. “For the queens of Eana!” he said with a flourish as two servants placed the precarious monument down in front of Rose. The macarons were green and gold, the tower so high she could barely see over it.

“Is that gold leaf?” Rowena leaned forward to inspect one. “What a ridiculous waste.”

Celeste shot her a warning glance. “If you can’t think of anything appreciative to say, then maybe it’s best you keep your mouth shut for the rest of the evening.”

Rowena glared at her. “Excuse me?”

“If only youwouldexcuse yourself,” said Celeste crisply.

“Green and gold!” said Rose loudly. “What festive macarons to honor Eana! The country we all love.”

Rowena flicked her finger, sending out a gust of wind. The tower of macarons wobbled.

Celeste’s hand shot out to steady it. “Stop it!”

Across the table, Captain Davers stiffened.

“You’re not afraid of a bit of magic, are you, Captain?” said Shen.

Davers visibly stifled a shudder. “Of course not.”

“Good,” said Shen with a wicked glint in his eyes. “Because I could take your sword from its scabbard before you ever noticed it was gone.”

“That’s enough, Shen,” scolded Rose. She raised her voice, calling an end to the clamor. “Before Wren and I can bring harmony to Eana, we must first establish it at Anadawn Palace. That’s why I have gathered you all here tonight....”

Just then, Rowena sent out another sharp gust. Elske was so startled she leaped up onto the table, causing a chorus of shrieks as she toppled the tower of macarons. The wolf looked around in alarm before jumping down and hiding behind Wren’s chair.

Tilda plucked a macaron from the floor and bit into it. “They still taste good.”

“Something spooked her,” Wren said, leaning down to stroke Elske.

Celeste gave Rowena a pointed look. “I’m sure I felt the wind pick up.”

Rowena smirked.

Rose dropped her head into her hands and sighed. “There’s tea in the drawing room if anyone would like it.”

Back in her room in the east tower, Rose sat on her bed in her favorite nightgown, with a pile of cracked macarons in her lap.

“How many of those have you had?” said Wren, who was unbraiding her hair at the vanity.

“Not enough,” said Rose, miserably eating another one. “Eventually they have to make me feel better, right?”

“That, or you’ll make yourself sick.”

Rose glowered at Elske, who was curled up at Wren’s feet.

“Don’t blame the wolf,” said Wren. “She did us a favor. If that dinner didn’t end soon, I was going to jump out the window.”

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