Page 81 of The Oracle of Dusk

“I would be delighted to teach him proper respect if you would allow it, Your Majesty.”

Flora's eyes lit at that.

“Be my guest.”

Epicasta’s dispassionate grey gaze swept him from head to toe. This was the infamous glass princess. One who had murdered her last three husbands for daring to bruise her delicate skin. A crime against the royal family, the queen had pronounced. That those same husbands had been highly influential and opposed to Flora on matters of state had not escaped anyone’s notice. That Epicasta had also bankrupted her husbands before their executions only fueled her infamy.

With a twist of her wrist, Epicasta wrenched the air from his lungs.

“Kneeling before the queen of Viridis is custom,” she said.

He did his best to resist, to fight for even a hint of a breath, but his suffocation brought him to his knees. As she’d intended. Thus brought low, he was freed from her magic. He gulped in air to Flora’s obvious delight. Rage burned in his breast. How dare she assault him?

“Your Majesty, I believe I can handle things from here. Allow me to escort this barbarian back to the guest palace and explain his circumstances to him. He has stolen so much of your precious time already. I will ensure he is made properly grateful that you have provided him an audience in these trying times.”

Was this the true ruler of Viridis? This cunning bitch who so easily managed her hot-headed mother? But then why put up with Flora’s antics at all?

“Is it already time for Council to meet?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Epicasta replied.

“Very well. See this blasphemer back to the guest palace. I’ll deal with him another day.”

The moment Theron attempted to stand, Epicasta choked him with her magic. Flora swept past with a laugh and exited the royal receiving chambers, taking her party of lickspittles with her. It was only once the grand doors closed that Epicasta released the hold she had on his lungs.

Theron gasped, sweat drenching his back. This bitch was going to pay for her actions.

“You may stand,” Epicasta said, never once flinching as he stood to his full height and loomed over her.

“Do that again and I won’t hold back, Princess,” Theron growled.

“Learn some humility, and I won’t have to. Come along, we have much to discuss.” Epicasta headed towards the door where the guards were already opening it with a respectful bow.

By the time he caught up with her, the storm was beginning in earnest. Servants rushed to get under the covered walkways and out of the heavy rain, or duck back into the maze of buildings. She led him in silence back to the guest palace, never once bothering to check he was still following after her, the crack and rumble of thunder and lightning taking the place of any pleasantries between them. She was about to turn towards his room when he stopped her. His little fairy was inside, and he didn’t want this venomous creature anywhere near her.

“The gardens will do,” he said.

In this deluge, it would be as private as a room, and at least there he could see any potential eves-droppers.

The princess raised a brow at his hand on her. Only when he let her go did she detour. When at last they came to their destination, a small pavilion overlooking the fishponds and greenery of the guest palace, she sat down and motioned for him to follow. When he did, she produced the key to his handcuffs and freed him.

“As I said, we have much to discuss,” she began.

“If you plan to persuade me to sign that toe rag your mother calls a treaty, then think again.”

She tilted her head.

“I could force you.”

“Batea would depose me—with my blessing.”

Epicasta produced his seal ring from her pocket, twisting it this way and that.

“Who would know it was against your will until it was too late?”

“Anyone with common sense, Princess.”

She placed his seal ring on the table and pushed it towards him.

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