Page 63 of Thorns and Echoes

His traitorous eyes slid to her, and it was all he could do to avoid staring at her face. A guard had grabbed her shoulder. In a distant corner of his mind, a snarl rose to the surface. The sound didn’t make it to his lips before she shrugged off the guard, her claws casually slicing long lines of red across the man’s cheek as she backhanded him. The other guards bristled.

“I demand the truce of the Consort Tournament,” the woman declared in her icy cool tone. “The man you just captured is a part of my retinue. There was a misunderstanding.”

Queen Yelena laughed and waved a hand. “Yes, of course, of course, leave her be. We wouldn't harm a fellow monarch.” Her lips slowly stretched wider. “Oh, this is perfect! We can hold a true Consort’s Tournament now! Who will compete for you, Little Sister?”

Mistress’ claws returned to Castien’s hair. His scalp tingled as she stroked his head, back and forth, back and forth. The normally soothing touch felt like a threat. His back tightened.

The guards sheathed their swords and returned to their posts. Balak had a different girl on his lap. He whispered into her ear, and she giggled. His eyes were on the woman in the center of the hall. Castien wondered if his aim was good enough to hit the prince’s eyes with a knife.

The woman claiming to be Anais spoke again, her cold voice calling to him with subtle tones that he couldn’t ignore. “I am here to retrieve what is mine. Take your hand off my Escort. You are a Queen, Yelena – it’s embarrassing that you need to steal from my court to find a Consort.”

A whisper of amusement floated at the surface of his thoughts. She sounded just like Anais. Proud and unafraid despite standing alone, a Queen draped in dignity rather than finery. She sounded like a woman who might still love him.

Seeing what he wanted to see. Hearing what he wanted to hear.

Queen Yelena hissed. Her fingers gripped and tugged his hair, jerking his head up. She glared at the woman, then transferred that horrible stare to him. Fear chased away the whispers.

“I am not the one who should be embarrassed. He ran to me. Tell her, toy,” she spat. “Who do you belong to?”

Instinct and habit guided his tongue. “You, Mistress.”

Her anger waned. The corner of her lips curved. “Mmm, that’s right. Who do you serve?”

He said, “You, Mistress.”

“And who do you love?” she purred.

“I love you, Mistress.”

She smiled, then. The beauty of it shook his soul. He belonged to her, utterly, completely, irrevocably. The world faded away in her mesmerizing stare.

She released his hair, and he fell against her throne, dizziness blurring his sight. Through a buzzing in his head, he heard her speak again.

“You see? He has always loved me. He came to me of his own free will, and he will fight for me, won't you, toy?”

His words were a bit delayed, but obedient nonetheless. “Yes… Mistress.”

His lips felt numb, his tongue thick. He reminded himself that the pretender didn’t matter. It wasn't Anais who saw him broken, humiliated, and pathetic. The reminder gave him a little strength.

“Then he is a deserter and a traitor, and I demand he stand trial in my court.”

The cold hatred in her words stabbed him in the heart.

Maybe shewashere.

The Queen hummed. “My, those are serious accusations. As he is my property, I suppose I must settle his debts. Ten thousand gold ought to be more than sufficient.”

His services were worth much more than that.

Traitor.

Had been worth more, once. The Night Courts wouldn’t touch him now. He had committed treason. He should be grateful his Mistress protected him.

“Ten thousand…” The pretender laughed, the terrifyingly familiar sound ringing in his head. Every time he had heard that laughter as cold as ice, a noble had walked the coals. “Don’t be ridiculous, Yelena. He poisoned me. He tried to kill a Queen. None of us can allow such a transgression to stand. If you wish to settle that debt yourself, it would be with your life. Or…”

Steel flashed. The guards tensed. The pretender pointed her sword at him. “I want revenge. I want to carve out his heart myself. Give him to me, and I will leave your castle within the hour.”

He closed his eyes. That sounded right. Revenge was the only reason for her to personally come all this way. Perhaps she would give him a chance to explain before her blade took his life. Even a few words. His lips parted.