Page 99 of The Queen’s Shadow

“You brought me new toys to play with? I’m so excited.” She beamed. I narrowed my eyes, looking at Zayne expectantly. As I made my way forward, I carefully walked along the edge of the giant carving in the floor.

“Princess Vespara.” I greeted her, my voice steady and calm. I assumed the air of someone speaking to a frightened animal. I avoided any abrupt changes in cadence, or tone and I held myself still. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.”

“The False Queen has a proposition for us that I thought you might find interesting.” Zayne explained, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear. She pressed her head into his hand and closed her eyes at his touch. My stomach rolled with nausea. So gross.

Vespara’s hazel eyes opened, and she examined me hungrily, her aura snaking forward to examine mine.

That was fine with me, I had been wanting to do the same to her, to see what we were up against when things went sideways. Because things would go sideways. I trusted this daemon about as much as I trusted Kieran to turn over a new leaf.

Her slavery bond hung around her aura loosely. It was barely active, as if there was rarely any need for it to force her to obey. This contrast between her bond and Zayne’s was interesting. He was good at putting on a show, but the way his bond wrapped around his aura like a python in a chokehold had me thinking he needed quite a bit more persuading to follow orders than Vespara did.

I took a moment to prod and examine the mad Princess’ energy and found that her aura was as disturbing as she was. It bubbled and frothed around her, manifesting and multiplying into thick viscous chunks of magick. It reminded me of a cluster of cancerous cells, dividing and multiplying over and over again in sporadic, deadly bursts.

‘Vespara has the power of multiplication. She can make multiple versions of herself at will.’ Amon explained, sensing my curiosity.

I sighed. Of course she could.

Looking up at the insane princess, I couldn’t help but feel like one Vespara was more than enough. I was hoping we would make it through this interaction without having to face multiple versions of her.

“Oh! A proposition!” She squealed. “How intriguing! What is it?” She asked eagerly, sitting forward in her throne. I hesitated, unsure how to bring the idea of an alliance up with her.

“We have come to discuss the looming war and wonder if we can come to an agreement that benefits both The Court of Pride and The Court of Greed.”

She stopped moving entirely, and her stillness was almost more unnerving than her previously erratic, jerking gestures. Like a smiling doll, she sat frozen, processing my words.

“You wish to align with The Court of Greed?” She asked finally.

“Yes.” I responded.

Zayne was watching me carefully. I couldn’t read his expression, but I had a feeling I was putting my foot in my mouth. Vespara clapped her hands together wildly, letting out another obnoxious squeal.

“Wonderful! Queen Ash Nevra will be thrilled to hear that you have seen the light and are willing to submit to her reign… I see you brought our dear, sweet Cerenah back home to us.” She smiled at Cerenah who took the slightest of steps back. “Our Queen will be thrilled!”

Well fuck. I walked right into that one. Zayne raised an eyebrow at me expectantly. I had no idea what to say. Finally, Amon came to my rescue.

‘Suggest you discuss the terms of the agreement over dinner.’

‘What? I’m not submitting to anyone.’ I snapped and he chuckled.

‘Of course not, but she has backed you into a corner. She is intentionally misunderstanding you. Dinner will give you time to work out a counter argument.’

Fine.

“I wonder, Princess Vespara, if we might discuss the terms of this agreement over a meal? It has been a long day of travel.”

She fell eerily still again for a moment, and I held my breath.

“Of course!” She finally exclaimed, turning to Zayne. “In fact, I think our guests should stay the night, don’t you think?”

Zayne gave her a tight smile. “I hardly think-”

“It’s settled! Zayne will show you to your chambers and we will meet to dine at seven.” She beamed at us for a moment before her face suddenly turned ugly with rage.

“Cerenah, of course, is not to come. I don’t need my Zayne to be distracted by that ugly whore mouth while we eat.”

Silence fell at the abrupt comment. I glanced at Cerenah, who was staring resolutely at the ground. Zayne was watching her carefully, his face blank.

‘Well… that just gave me whiplash.’ I commented to Amon dryly, who sighed.