Page 107 of Mortal Queens

I crossed to Cal. He’d grown in the past year, and my arms fit around him differently. He still smelled of old books.

“Take care of her,” he pled in a low voice. “Bring her back to me.”

I was grateful he couldn’t see my face. “I’ll watch over her.”

“She was already a queen in my eyes,” came his reply. We reluctantly separated and his eyes caught on my wrist where I must not have pulled my sleeve back over the watch. He lifted my hand. “There must be great wealth in the fae realm. It’s very pretty.”

My hand flew to cover my wrist. The stolen bracelet was visible as well. While Cal harmlessly looked at it, the silver fae stared too.

She gave me a knowing look.

I tried to tell myself I didn’t care, but now Bash would be in great trouble.

He deserves it, I told myself. But an enemy was no doubt made today.

“My Queens?” The silver ambassador glanced at my wrist once more before she opened the door and stepped out, where the breeze swept against her silky gown. The other two fae followed her.

Father didn’t move until they were out of the house, then he relaxed. I expected him to say something more before I left, but he only picked up Malcom and shoved his other hand into his pocket.

“Farewell, my daughters.” It rang like a final goodbye.

Eliza paused at the door to look over my family. Our family. The door shut behind us, and her entire body trembled.

Mine did too. My fingers lingered on the doorknob, and I strained for the last sound of their familiar voices and closed my eyes to imprint the memory of their faces.

The silver fae raised a hand, and the chariot appeared in the courtyard just as before, ready to steal us away. My fingers fell from the door.

Eliza’s jaw dropped, and she ran a hand along the shining gold chariot that sent flashes of reflected light across her mask. Her eyes were torn between marveling at it and looking back to the house. The three ambassadors mounted, then turned to us. While the other two stood still, the dark fae lowered himself into a bow.

“It is time, my Queens.”

“Do people bow to you often?” Eliza asked under her breath while her feet stumbled over the steps. Her crown toppled from her head and clinked against the foot of the chariot.

“There is a lot you’ll have to get used to,” I replied, picking up the crown and handing it back to her. She held it close, staring at the hundreds of tiny jewels across the band with her lips parted and her eyes wide.

For the next year, it would be me and her against the fae realm. “I hope you’re ready.”

She blinked her eyes dry, raised the crown, and placed it on her head. “I’m ready.”