Page 95 of Fae Reckoning

When his tippy-tap steps delivered him close enough, he dipped into a deep bow—to drag his sleeve across his sweaty brow without notice—and his legs nearly buckled when he rose out of it. Regardless, his stare was accusing as he passed me, giving me wide berth and a haughty look that suggested my impudence was contagious.

An abrupt, mirror-rattling roar made his little steps falter before he continued onward tohis queen. It wasan enraged Einar. I used the moment to glance over my shoulder: still no Rush or Xeno or any of the others. By sunshine, I prayed they were faring well against the pygmy ogres and guards—plus, there were still the undead dragons to consider if Einar hadn’t dealt with them yet.

“I tire of this disrespect,” Talisa said as she lowered herself back onto her throne and crossed her legs beneath her long, fluffy skirts. “I intended to toy with you. But there will be plenty chance for that later.Once you’re dead.” With a theatrical air, she paused, perhaps waiting for me to quake in my boots. When I didn’t, she scoffed. “I’m immortal now, silly girl. Haven’t you heard? You’ll serve me forever.”

“No. I won’t.” I brought both hands to the grips of my holstered sais but didn’t draw them. Physical weapons had little chance of hurting her. I wanted to settle the slight shake running along my arms before she noticed I was actually terrified I would fail.

Braque, now standing at her side,tskedwith a shake of his head. His curls were tight with his sweat. “The insolence…”

“What, you idiotic sycophant?” I barked, finally able to say exactly what I wanted without consequence—or no additional consequence anyhow. “Do you really expect me to kiss the ass of the evil cunt of a queen”—Braque sucked in a sharp wheeze—“who’s ruined the lives of everyone she’s supposed to protect?”

Braque blinked at me with evident shock. Talisa grew dangerously still.

“Well?” I snapped. “Do you? No, of course not. Because why the fuck would I? I’m here to kill her and you, because the Mirror World needs me to. Because it will be a far better place without either of you to ruin it for everyone else.”

Talisa jumped to her feet. “That’s enough,” she roared.

“You’re right. That’s enough posturing. Let’s get to it.” Even I was stunned to hear how calm I sounded, how ready to face down the female Istilldidn’t know how to defeat.

“Foolish, stupid, silly girl.” Talisa shook her head. Her crown didn’t so much as shiver even as her long, loose, dark hair glided across her bare shoulders like swaths of silk. “I warned Oren you were a mistake.”

That stung though it shouldn’t have. “The only mistake here is you. Oren and my mother were in love, at least.”

Talisa’s cheek twitched, noticeable even as far apart as we stood. She glowered. “Love has nothing to do with ruling and power. If you were meant for either, you’d know that. No more talking from you.”

She raised both hands and, with a smug tilt of her lips, snapped her fingers.

Her magic pushed against me with the force of a battering, pounding waterfall—but didn’t take hold. Yet I stood immobile as if she had succeeded in overcoming my will.

Her smile became predatory. She rose, descended the steps slowly, the train of her skirts trailing elegantlybehind her. She prowled toward me with measured, intentional steps.

“You will die. Then so will your little friends. All of them. Every single one. You brought so many here for me. I should thank you for that.” She chuckled. “But I won’t.”

“That’s right, my queen,” Braque interjected. “She should be thankingyou.”

What this moron might think I needed to thank her for, I couldn’t fathom.

Talisa’s deliberate footfalls rang out against the thick glass floor.Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack.“You’ve revealed precisely who the traitors are. I’ll punish you, then them, and with all your essences I’ll live longer than anyone else. I’ll outlive you all.”

Braque remained dutifully next to her throne, like a good pet, as did the guards. Talisa stopped a single body’s length in front of me. She made a show of dragging her gaze up and down my body before shaking her head.

“How could you have ever believedyouwere meant to rule this kingdom?”

“Because the land chose me.”

She chuffed a dark laugh. “As if the land would ever choose someone like you. If you’re going to lie, at least make it more convincing.”

I resisted the urge to tip up my chin in defiance and held steady so she could believe I was under her thrall.Oh shit. Maybe I was giving myself away by talking. But then Talisa hadn’t reacted. Perhaps her magic hadmeant to leave me capable of this little self-indulgent chat of hers.

“It’s true,” I insisted.

She tutted. “Know your facts, girl. The land can’t choose another ruler unless they’re more powerful than I am. No one ever will be. And you certainly aren’t.”

“The land apparentlycando whatever it wants.”

A smidgen of doubt finally flickered across her gaze. “No. I’d know.”

It was then that I felt my senses want to dull again, much as they had after we crossed the moat, and I realized what must be happening. Talisa was trying to breach my mind to read my thoughts or memories or something that would inform her.

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