Page 57 of The Tsarina's Favorite
“And you are scrawnier than I imagined,” I said.“I have perched on twigs more substantial than you.”
Her mouth fell open, and her hold on the books relaxed.“Whatever do you mean?”
“You look little more than a child,” I teased.“I am surprised that such a little body can contain such a huge opinion of itself.”
“And you’re still a contrary creature,” she said.
A small grin played at the corners of her mouth.Mischief twinkled in her eyes.All this time we had been talking, I had apparently missed much by not being able to see her.How often had she smiled while we talked?
“I fail to see why I should behave any differently, in or out of a hood.”
“Not that you would ever know it, considering you thought me a serf the other day,” she said haughtily, “but I am a princess.”
“A princess,” I repeated, a degree of patronization tinting my words as I played ignorance.“It sounds important.What is that?”
“It’s like a tsarina.”A fallen smile and reddened cheeks betrayed her fluster at having to explain a concept so fundamental to court life.“It means I am superior to you.”
And I had been a prince once.Titles meant nothing.
“I am in captivity.That makes everyone superior to me.”
“It means I am influential and powerful,” she tried again.
“And yet, you come to me to give you the things you most wish for.”She completely deflated at that observation.“If you’re so powerful, can you undo my bonds and release me?”
Her cheeks flamed.“No.”
“Then what does your power or influence matter to me?”
“You are sharp today!”
“And you are sharp every time you visit me,” I reminded her.“I do not start or end every conversation with a criticism of your appearance.”
“Fair,” she conceded.“Should I not visit you?”
“It depends on your intent.If your design is to add to the derision and mistreatment I must suffer at the hands of others, then I can well do without you.”
“I’m sorry.I meant to tease, not to hurt.”
“I suppose I will forgive you.”
The corner of her mouth quirked up.“You’re still ugly though.”
“So I keep being told.”And I didn’t disagree, but I didn’t have to accept it outright.“No one has specified though — compared to what?”
“Compared to....”She furrowed her brows in thought.She set her books down on the ground and then took a seat on top of them.“That’s a good question.I don’t know.I suppose compared to a man.”
“But I am not a man, so how can I be compared to one?”
“You are also ugly compared to a regular bird too.”
“Which regular bird?If a sparrow, then yes, I must seem quite monstrous to a sparrow.”
“Another firebird then?”
“Firebirds are not regular birds.”I puffed out my feathers a little.“And, in the world of firebirds, I am considered an attractive specimen.Next time you are so inclined to call me ugly, I would caution you to remember your frame of reference.”
“So you truly are an Otherland creature?”
