Page 16 of Fae Crown

“The insolence,” Braque hissed, but I didn’t dare look away from the queen.

Her stare remaining on me, she ordered, “You on my left side, slide one seat down.”

Without comment, ten women pushed back their chairs, stood, and shuffled to the one beside it before sitting.

The only empty seat had been beside Rush. Now, it was next to Braque.

“Take your seat,” the queen commanded me.

Wanting only to settle on Rush’s lap, I forced my body to walk past the females trying to take him from me. The farther from the doors I went, the less blood there was. The females’ hair though … every one of their carefully coiffed styles was in some level of disarray. The closer to the doors, the worse it was. Some hairdos had toppled over. Others were adorned with wild wisps that had broken free of their holds.

Clack, clack, clack, clack. My heels seemed too loud against the wooden floor when everyone was so silent. Every gaze followed my steps.

Even Rush’s. I didn’t have to turn to know his moonlit attention was finally on me.

I would prefer to sit beside a pit of slithering, hissing snakes rather than Braque, and cringed as I lowered myself into the cushioned velvet chair.

He harrumphed and made a show of sliding his chair away a few inches.

On the inside, I rolled my eyes. Outwardly, I pretended nothing the ass-kisser could do would get to me.

Next, he patted his potions satchel. It rested beneath the swell of his plump belly, against his legs, nearest me. Making sure I noticed, he slid it to the other side.

As if I’d be idiotic enough to play loose with his potions after the pit of devouring they’d conjured in the arena. I still hadn’t forgotten the desperation of the guards as the whirlpool had sucked them into its abyss. Nor had I forgotten the one guard’s plea that I defeat the queen and restore the light to the Mirror World.

“Now that the last contestant has finally deigned to join us,” the queen said, as usual unperturbed by her discrepancies and hypocrisies. “Azariah, you will take over the announcements.”

The unisus jerked his big horse head in her direction.His magnificent twisted ivory horn pointed at her, no more than a few feet away. I willed him to gore her with it.

Do it, Azariah. Do it.

With how magical the creature was, perhaps he could overcome the queen’s invincibility. Maybe he could end her where none of the rest of us had been able.

He only squeaked nervously. “Me, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. Obviously, I need someone new for the job.”

Casually, she waved a hand in the air, and Tall Announcer Guy bowed and retreated through the double doors.

Dismissed.

I’d assumed Azariah was to announce each stage of the Fae Heir Trials as he had the first. Evidently, she still hadn’t forgotten how he’d proclaimed me as joint winner of the Gladius Probatio.

Azariah recovered quickly from his surprise. Memories of how willing the queen had been to let him die when the magic of the trials had punished him for voicing her lie that Rush was the sole champion undoubtedly spurred him along.

He tossed his regal head, his fluffy white mane fluttering elegantly, before clearing his throat. “It will be my great honor, Your Majesty.”

For the first time since I was ushered into the salon, her accusatory stare left me … to pin on him.

“Donotdisappoint me again.” Theor elsehung in the air like one of the many curtains.

The unisus’ throat bobbed visibly, the tuft of his soft white beard oscillating. “I won’t, Your Majesty.”

“Good.” Those punishing eyes landed back on me even as she continued to address him. “Begin.”

“Esteemed and honored contestants from all corners of the Mirror World, welcome to the Nuptialis Probatio. The second stage of four that constitutes the Fae Heir Trials, its purpose is to further refine the pairing of male and female champions who will, if and so long as our revered queen approves, become crowned prince and princess and eventual heirs to her throne.”

I couldn’t help but notice they’d entirely dispensed with the pretense that my father had any say in whom would inherit his crown.

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