Page 9 of The Crown of a Fallen Queen
She twists on the portable stove. “The Eternal Chalice has been destroyed.”
My heart skips a beat. “But how? What happened?”
Percy gets to work cleaning up my blood from the floor with a rag almost as big as he is, listening in on our conversation.
“The Lord of the Tides melted it off, and both Eliza Bloodfyre and Thorald Storm perished during the attack on the capital.” She clutches the tea chest with both hands. “Freya survived, but I heard she’s in pretty rough shape.”
I try not to smile or pump my fist in cheer and concentrate on more pressing details. “What about Elio? And Damian?”
“Both alive, I think.” She presses her lips together. “Though I couldn’t say for how long.”
My mouth dries up, my tongue parched. A searing hope weasels its way inside my heart, potent and dangerous. If the Eternal Chalice has been destroyed, it means the only thing standing between me and my rightful crown is Freya Heart.
By Eros…
“Hurry up. The kid can’t see you like this, not if you still want to hold on to your secrets,” Mabel warns, waving me off.
The shop’s doorbell chimes at Maxine’s arrival. She rushes through the front door with her jacket held over her head to protect herself from the rain, and I slip behind the curtain of glass beads separating the shop from my private quarters to stay out of sight.
Percy flies to welcome her. “Ah, my favorite goddaughter.”
“I’m youronlygoddaughter, Percy,” Maxine deadpans, leaning in for him to kiss her cheek.
I enter the bathroom and close the door behind me before peeling off the rest of my bloody clothes and throwing them in the hamper. Inspecting the bite wound on my leg, eager to clean it up, I wince at how deep the teeth indentations are—four puncture marks to add to the growing collection. My skin is riddled with similar scars, old and new, each one a reminder of the price to wield magic.
Faded yellow wallpaper peels from the wall in the corner next to the sink, the diamond-shaped tiles chipped and stained with age. The small window above the bathtub lets in just enough light to showcase the grime that sticks to the creases in the windowsill, in spite of my best efforts to rub it off.
The aging house is proof of how much time has passed, while my body remains plump and youthful, at least on the outside. If it weren't for the growing number of scars, no one would be able to tell I’d lived at all.
When I come out of the bathroom, dressed in fresh clothes and my leg bandaged to keep the wound from prying eyes, Maxine and Mabel are already waiting at the table in my private area of the shop, a steaming cup of tea set out for me.
The crystal ball I use to play tricks on the mortals who visit my divination parlor sits at the center of the round wooden table, goops of wax dripping down the side of the lit candles surrounding it.
“Devi! I’m so glad to see you.” Maxine abandons her seat and rams into me with one of her bone-crushing hugs.
“Hey, Freckles,” I whisper, my eyes closing for a moment. There are very few people I like in this world, but Maxine and her brother Nickolas are the exception.
“How’s the new job going, Maxie? Do tell all,” Percy prompts her.
“Any jerk I need to deal with?” I add with a wink before taking my seat.
She rolls her eyes. “No, everyone’s been very nice.”
Mabel clears her throat. “She met a man.”
“Mabel!” Maxine cries out.
The old queen waves dismissively. “She thinks she’s in love.”
I could tell from one glance, but act surprised all the same. “A hottie, I hope?” I eye the diamond ring on her finger.
Percy loses his shit, wings flapping behind him. “Oh my Eros, Maxie! You’re engaged?”
She squeezes my hand, her beaming gaze darting between us. “I’m getting married next month in Glasgow, and I want you both to come.”
“Next month? Wow!” Percy grips Maxine’s ring with his tiny hands, grinning.
My gaze slides from the bride’s bright smile to the frown pulling at Mabel’s brows.
