Page 64 of The Witch Queen

With that, I let myself out of the stall, ignoring the tightness in my chest and the futile hope that he will say something, anything, to call me back.

Chapter Eighteen

Ayleth

“Are you certain?” I ask, pacing in front of the fire.

Yes, my queen,Shade replies.I found no others.

An entire day has passed since I visited Jacquetta in the dungeons and I’ve had my Huntsman and Callen scouring the areas near the palace ever since. But there’s not even a hint of Mother or the other Heirs. No sign of Nerissa, either. And Jacquetta hasn’t uttered a word. I expected that, with the iron eating into her blood, she would call for me and confess the witches’ plans. But she’s remained stubbornly silent. As have the other prisoners.

According to Parnell’s interrogation reports, the captured Followers continue to insist that they serve theirtrue queen,Meira. That the false goddess herself was responsible for the crows and the storm. That she personally descended to strike down the wicked usurper who dissolved the Order. Ridiculous. And infuriating, given that none of the emphatic zealots mention Jacquetta, or any other witch, as being among their number. But itmusthave been one of the witches disguising herself as Meira. Why won’t Jacquetta admit it? Why is she sulking down there, letting the iron gnaw away at her? Is shereallygoing to die for the covens? Unless…

“What if she’s telling the truth?” I ask Shade.

His shadows drift in a pensive tempo.She?

“Jacquetta,” I clarify. “She claims that the witches weren’t responsible for the spells. Could she be right? Could there be someone else…like me?”

Better than you,that voice taunts.

Shade’s shadows twine around me, as if in reassurance.

There is no one like you, my queen,he promises.The witch lies. As all witches do.

He’s right, especially about Mother and the Heirs. But much as I want to believe Shade, Jacquetta’s desperation was plain—especially where Nerissa was concerned. Was it all a scheme? A pretense—likewewere?

“Whoever it is, I still don’t understand how she’s using her power,” I go on. “Jacquetta as well. I thought the witches lost their abilities when the Veil shattered.”

And Iknowthey didn’t bind themselves to Malum.

It does not matter,Shade replies.We will find them. Finish this. Shall I start with the one in the dungeons?

I pause, watching the flames dance in the hearth.

“Not yet,” I tell Shade. “I want Jacquetta to call for me herself.”

Want her to beg. Malum shudders behind my sternum.

Take care, my queen,Shade warns.She will destroy all that you have built.

His shadows snake toward the slender box near Callen’s mirror and wind around my crown. The broken pieces of the Bloodstones glitter in the firelight.

From the darkness will rise a queen,the words of the prophecy resurface.

I’ve sacrificed everything to be that queen. For the crimson crown that heralds a new age. And I’m not going to allow Jacquetta, or anyone else, to rob me of what’s mine.

“She won’t,” I tell Shade. “Not if I destroy her first.”

Shade’s eyes shine with malice.Yes, my queen.

“Ayleth?” Someone calls.

I motion hurriedly for Shade to go. “We’ll talk later.”

My Huntsman bows, then steps back into his shadows and is swallowed by the darkness. An instant later, Fitz bounds into the chamber at full speed, skidding on the wood floor as he spots my cat. Nettle flops onto her back and swats at his snout.

“Oh.” Joan scans the room. “I thought I heard someone in here with you.”