Page 219 of The Witch Queen

The princess grins. “It worked.”

“See?” I say, giving her a gentle nudge. “How did you do it?”

She traces the rose petals with her fingertip. “I thought of the memories I shared here with Mother.”

Love is the most powerful magic I know.Joan’s words resurface.

She’s always been far wiser than me.

Gravel crunches near the gate. A young man rounds the corner, stopping short when he spots us. I blink in surprise. It’s the Warbeck boy.

“Oh,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “Sorry, I’ll just—”

He disappears again.

“We’re only talking,” Blodwyn supplies before I can ask.

“If you say so.” I arch an eyebrow. “But I certainly wouldn’t blame you if there was more. After all, he did save your life—twice. And then there was that display in the throne room. Very gallant.”

She picks at her gown. “No one has ever stood up for me like that before.”

“Then what’s holding you back?”

“The council, for one,” she says, irritated. “They keep bringing up my marriage. It’s intolerable. I’m sixteen. I can’t possibly be ready for such a commitment.”

I roll my eyes. “Trust me, there were times I was tempted to bring Nox to those meetings.”

Blodwyn snorts in what I take to be agreement.

“It’s not just that, though,” she continues. “Gavin has been kind to me, and I do care for him. But I remember what happened with Motherand Papa. With every couple at court, it seems. What if it’s the same for us? If we wind up hating each other?”

“Love is always a risk,” I agree. “But I have to say, Gavin strikes me as being vastly different from your father. And from most at court.”

“Maybe. But I’m just not sure it’s enough. How did you know…with Jacquetta?”

A startled laugh tumbles out of me. “Oh, I don’t think you want to follow our example. We’ve made quite a mess of things over the years.”

“So you don’t think it was worth it?”

A thorny question. One I certainly can’t answer right now.

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “But I do know this: Trust yourself. And your instincts. And if the council gives you any trouble, let me know and I really will send Nox to deal with them.”

That tempts a smile from her. Across the garden, the Warbeck boy pokes his head around the gate again, then just as swiftly vanishes.

“I should you leave you to it,” I say, taking the hint.

I start to rise, but Blodwyn catches my wrist.

“Wait.” She turns my palm up and studies the mark below my left ring finger. “Do you think these marks connect us? Like with your sister?”

“Perhaps. Is that…something that concerns you?”

Blodwyn pauses.

“No,” she says. “In fact, I’m glad. Grateful that you came into my life. The past few years have been difficult, but I needed you more than I realized.”

My throat tightens. I do not deserve her forgiveness. Her openness. And I make a vow that I will never take it for granted again.