Page 61 of Tarnished Queen

“I know that. But you usually need reminding.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you coming or not?”

“Not presently,” he says, spreading his legs and leaning back slightly. “But if you’re interested in changing that, then by all means—”

“To the restaurant with me,” I growl. “Do you want to accompany me to the restaurant to meet Howard?”

“Of course I’m going with you.”

I blink in surprise. “Really?”

He sighs. “Someone has to make sure you don’t get yourself killed.”

“It’s lunch. I think I can survive a lunch.”

* * *

But two hours later when I walk into the diner to meet Howard, I’m suddenly not so sure that’s true.

Because Howard didn’t come alone. He’s sitting next to a walking, talking nuclear bomb. And there will be no survivors.

I inhale sharply and stumble back. Nikolai lets me fall against his strong chest. He curls an arm around me and whispers in my ear. “What is it?”

My answer is a single, horrified word.

“Mom.”

Nikolai’s breath is warm against the back of my neck. “Do you want to leave?”

Yes. One hundred times yes.I want to turn around and sprint out of this diner without looking back. But that's what she wants, too. For me to run. For me to look like the guilty party. She doesn't expect me to face her. And maybe I wouldn't—if this was just about me.

But Elise is all that matters.

I shake my head. "No. No more running. I want to stay."

Nikolai's arm brushes mine, and I reach down and squeeze his hand. I need the extra courage. Then I cross the diner and stand in front of the table, my expression icy.

"Howard," I say with a nod. Then I turn to the woman next to him. "Mom."

I took Elise from her house in the middle of the night, so it's been years since I’ve looked my mom in the eyes. It could be centuries, though, and that still wouldn’t be long enough.

She smiles lazily. Even when she isn’t drunk, she has a permanent dopey expression on her face. Like her muscles never fully sober up. But her eyes… those are sharp. Cunning.

“‘Mom,’” she mimics with a sneer. “After everything you’ve done to me, that’s how you greet me?”

Somehow, she still has the capacity to surprise me with her awfulness. I scoff. “EverythingI’vedone toyou? Are you—”

“I’m sorry, Belle,” Howard interrupts. “I didn’t know she was coming to town. I didn’t ask her to be here for this, but she wouldn’t leave.”

“Oh, screw you,” Mom coughs, scowling at Howard. “The only reason you’re here is because I asked you to come.”

Howard looks at me imploringly. “That’s not true. I came because I wanted to find Elise. This has nothing to do with Belle.”

I redouble my grip on Nikolai’s hand. “This isn’t what we agreed to, Howard. You were supposed to be here alone.”

“I would have called and explained, but I didn’t have your number. And I didn’t just want to not show up,” he says. “I didn’t want you to think I was flaky.”

“Yeah, that would’ve been bad,” I grit out. “Instead, I just think you’re a traitor.”

---