Page 83 of The Witch Queen

—Final prophecy of Aphelia, First Diviner, Age of the Covens 300

“The crimson crown,” I murmur.

In its box, that very crown gleams, the shattered shards of the Bloodstones glittering in the low light.Iforged that crown. Broke the Veil. Freed Malum. Iamthe queen from this prophecy. No other witch was brave enough to take this path. Still…if I am the promised queen, why does it seem as though everything is slipping out of my control?

My queen,Shade’s rasping voice carries around me.

The fire gutters, shadows lengthening as my Huntsman materializes from the darkness. Nettle meows a greeting and instantly sets to pouncing among his shadows.

“You’re back,” I say, relieved at having a distraction from my own mired thoughts. “What have you found?”

Nothing,he replies.There is no sign of another witch.

“Not even Nerissa?”

He shakes his head, regretful.

“Damn,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair.

Each day that Shade turns up empty-handed only adds more credence to Jacquetta’s story. And if she isn’t lying about Nerissa, what else might be true?

And there is another matter,Shade goes on.Nox is missing.

“Missing?” I repeat. “I thought he was hiding from the Hunt.”

As did I,Shade confirms.But they have long ceased their efforts, and he has not yet returned. Does not come when I call. I fear for him.

If my Huntsman is afraid, then so am I. And I can’t help recalling what Jacquetta said in the forest—the tales of pilfered graves and mutilated animals. Just nonsense, I’d assumed. Lies she invented to rattle my nerves. Now…

“Jacquetta mentioned strange occurrences,” I say to Shade. “Evidence of what could be dark magic. And we found a tree in the forest near here that looked like it was bleeding. Do you think it means anything?”

Shade considers this, his shadows weaving around him.

Perhaps,he replies, cautious.But I do not trust the other witch.

He hadn’t been pleased to learn that I allowed Jacquetta out of the dungeons at all. But there was nothing for it. Shade can’t be everywhere at once and I can’t battle Margaret alone.

“I don’t trust her, either. But I saw the tree myself. And the spells during the hunt…” I pause. “What if Jacquetta is right? If it’s not the Heirs causing all this? If there really is another witch out there?”

One who is better than you,that vicious voice needles me.Worthier.

I roll my shoulders against it.

If there is such a witch, Iwillfind her,Shade promises.We will destroy her together.

His shadows brush against me, their touch tingling against my skin.

Fairest,they whisper.Fairest of them all.

But for the first time since the night I broke the Veil, my motto doesn’t inspire confidence. And later, when I finally sink into a fitful sleep, my dreams are riddled with images of bleeding trees. Lightning crashing around the palace until it breaks apart. Murders of crows, their talons slicing my flesh to ribbons.

And a shadowy figure in the distance, laughing as the world I built collapses.

—

I don’t see Jacquetta again until the following evening. To best avoid Parnell or other prying eyes, I instructed her to come to my rooms after everyone was asleep. Which means it’s late when she finally knocks on my door, carting the tray of food I ordered from the kitchens.

“Yourmost gracious Majesty,” she says, dipping into a curtsy. “What an honor that I, a lowly servant, would be permitted into your presence.”