Page 156 of Burn Her They Said
Lanska leads us to a grand sitting room, then curtsies before taking her leave.
I release a breath and take a single step, then pause when the Queen’s eyes pin me in place. She arches a brow, and I dip into a clumsy curtsy, wholly unprepared to find her waiting.
“Charming.” The Queen peers at me from a high-backed chair.
Her pink nails gleam beneath the faceted light from the crystal chandelier when she reaches to take her teacup and saucer from the table beside her, enthralling me in her gaze, which never leaves my own, even when she tips the cup back to take a sip.
“Your Royal Highness.” I dip into a steadier curtsy. “Thank you for honoring me with an invitation.”
Her three witches-in-waiting stare at me from the sofa beside her. Each one appears to be near the Queen’s age, and they all wear simple Annovian blue dresses.
“I cannot decide if you are simply well-trained, or contained.” Queen Celine narrows her eyes, and I swallow under her keen assessment. “Sit.” She gestures to an ornate blue floral chair opposite her.
I smooth my skirts and do as she says, settling onto the cushion.
“Try the tea,” Queen Celine commands, raising her own blue floral teacup in the air. “And the biscuits.” She holds a circular pastry with a dusting of sugar in the air, precariously balancing a small plate of assorted desserts on her knee.
A young witch enters the room and curtsies before setting a teacup and saucer with pink and white flowers on the table beside me. She produces a silver spoon from her apron and dips it into the tea, gathering just enough to sample it. Her lips part, and she tips the spoonful between them.
My pulse pounds, and we wait in silence for what feels like hours. Then she curtsies again before moving to stand at the back of the room, acting as living evidence that the tea is safe to drink—unless, of course, she took some sort of antidote.
“Lanska mentioned His Majesty fears we would spell you with our food and drink, so I have offered to allow Anya to test each for you.” She gestures to the servant to my left, and I bow shallowly out of habit.
“Thank you,” I say, bringing the saucer to my lap and sighing at the creamy color. Yet one more example of how, even here, choices like cream or sugar are made on my behalf.
Yet I must not be rude, so I lift the cup to my lips and pour some of the milky tea in, eyes widening at the abundance of spice and floral notes.
“Perfection isn’t it?” the Queen preens.
“Indeed. I don’t think I’ll ever want to drink anything else.” Heat infiltrates my cheeks from the candidness of my reaction.
“Just wait until you try our wine.” She sets her plate and saucer on the table beside her. “You must be wondering why I’ve invited you here.”
I nod politely.
“I know a being in need of a break when I see one. So, I took the opportunity to offer you a reprieve where we might speak without fear of being overheard.”
The Queen pulls in a deep breath while clasping her hands in her lap. “I saw something I didn’t expect.” She pauses before adding, “You do not approve of his plans.”
I offer her no response, curious how, after so little time to observe me, she has already recognized the truth so few others have noticed.
“You don’t want to be the monster he’s made you.” Her wise brown eyes stare straight into mine.
Varic flexes his fist as the word ‘monster’ slips past the Queen’s lips.
“Does anyone?” I ask, deflecting.
“I think you know better than most just how many choose to be monstrous.” My gaze drops to my lap, the teacup rattling atop its saucer as my hands shake. I pull in a deep breath and place it on the side table to keep it from being a distraction.
“How long?” she asks.
“I apologize. I am not certain what you are asking, Your Royal Highness.”
“How long has he held you captive? Forced you to do his bidding? Kept you from making your own decisions?”
Tears threaten as I pull on complacency—and allow one steadying breath before answering.
“I was six years old when the Emperor first learned of my proficiency,” I say, and her eyes flare wider. “My ability was beyond anything known to be possible for a witch my age, especially in regard to influencing the emotions of others.”
