Page 25 of Captive of the Crime Queen

And I begin to think.

My introspection is interrupted by the quiet creak of the door ten minutes later. I glance up to see Aurora's too-familiar silhouette against the light.

I raise my voice to say, "I told you to go to your room."

She continues forward. "I know. But there's something I want to do first."

I straighten in my chair as she draws near, wary as always when any other human being is so close to me. But she only sinks to her knees before me, her white skirts pooling on the floor around her, and bows her head in a supplicant, submissive pose.

The sight steals my breath.

"You said you wanted me to be happy," she begins.

"I do."

"Then I'd like to make a request."

I master myself with effort. "You may ask, but I make no promises."

Aurora's lips curve in a faint smile as she looks up at me. "That's fair. What I ask is this: teach me to defend myself. Teach me to be strong…like you."

I search her upturned face, wondering what this is about.

"Tonight was an education," Aurora continues when I don't immediately respond. "And during my time here I've begun to see that there are ugly truths I never wanted to face. But if I'm to live in your world, Idoneed to face those truths, need to learn how to deal with danger. And I…I need to change, if I'm going to survive here."

Still I stay silent. I have no idea what to say to her.

"You told me just before that power is the only true language in your world," she goes on at last, a faint plea in her voice. "So teach me your language, Hadria. Make me strong enough that no one can ever use me as a pawn again. Let me have some tiny measure of power in myself, since I…I know now that I'll always belong to you."

Emotion swells within me, unfamiliar yet not unwelcome. This clever little thing has seen the truth in a way few ever have. And it would be a sin to deny her growth.

I stand and take the two steps down off the dais, then hold out a hand to her. "Very well." She takes my hand, and I draw herup to stand before me. "But first, you'll need to prove to me that you can follow orders. So tomorrow we'll begin your instruction. Meet me here in the war room an hour after breakfast."

The answering smile Aurora bestows on me illuminates her from within. Impulsively, I brush a stray strand of hair from her cheek.

"Thank you, Hadria," she breathes.

Something inside me cracks a little. Melts. "Go to bed," I tell her, pulling back. "And rest up. Because tomorrow I intend to put you through your paces."

Lyssa is going to be furious with me.

Again.

CHAPTER 13

Aurora

At the appointed time,I make my way down the long hallway toward Hadria's war room. As I get closer, I hear Lyssa's raised voice coming from the open doors.

"—crazy, even for you! Giving a prisoner a weapon? You've lost yourmindover this girl."

I freeze outside the doors, my heart pounding. Before I can decide whether to keep walking or turn back, Hadria's sharp voice slices through the air.

"Get in here, Aurora."

I jump, startled that she somehow knew I was here. Taking a deep breath, I step away from the wall and through the doorway.

The table and chairs are as they were last night, except that Lyssa stands near the head of the table, glaring at me, and Hadria is half-seated on the table itself opposite Lyssa, her posture relaxed but her light gray eyes tracking my every movement.

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