“I tripped, Your Majesty. The floor is uneven—”
The queen slapped her across the face. I flinched. Wila’s expression turned blank.
“Perhaps some time in my husband’s dungeon will improve your agility.”
The guard closest to Wila stalked toward her. Wila’s eyes met mine for a single moment, and then she was dragged away, her eyes burning even brighter.
My fault. The dungeons were an overreaction—the queen lashing out. I hadn’t anticipated it, and now Wila would suffer the consequences.
I turned to the queen. Her eyes were darkly satisfied as she watched the guards take Wila away.
I wished I could have let the bitch burn.
The queen turned and stalked back toward her rooms. Obviously, there would be no trip to the market today. Her ladies followed her, whispering among themselves.
I finished mopping the floors, conscious of the eyes on me. Minutes ago, I’d been just another maid. One only trusted with cleaning the floors. Now, I had the queen’s attention, which meant I also had everyone else’s too.
Auria ate lunch with me in the kitchen. She’d charmed the cook into giving us a piece of cake to share, and we sat in one corner, away from the worst of the noise.
“Wila never seemed clumsy before,” Auria said, her expression solemn. Our eyes met, and she angled her head. “I hope she’s okay.”
My memory provided me with Wila’s face and the banked rage in her eyes. “I hope so too.”
Auria took a neat bite. “What do you think the queen wants?”
“I have no idea. But I should go.”
Gods, I hoped it was worth it.
“Let me fix your hair first. And your apron is filthy. Take mine.”
Auria shoved pins into my hair, rolling it up into a neat bun. Whipping off her apron, she switched it for mine before pronouncing me ready. My chest clenched. I didn’t know what I’d do without Auria. She was one of the kindest people I’d ever met.
“Thank you.”
“Good luck.”
The queen’s guards had obviously been told to expect me, because they stepped aside when I approached her chambers. My stomach roiled with nerves as I knocked on her door.
“Enter.”
I stepped inside, my gaze immediately finding the queen, who was now dressed in gold, sitting next to the window. Her chambers were in the eastern wing of the castle, overlooking a lush garden. The scents of rose and mint teased my nostrils.
Unlike the maroon and gold of the rest of the castle, the queen’s chambers were all silver and blue. Silver mirrors lined the opposite wall, reflecting the light and making the room look even bigger.
My gaze caught on one of those mirrors. It hung in the center of the wall, the bottom edge almost hitting the floor, while the top brushed the ceiling, at least two foot-spans above my head.
The silver edges surrounded a glass so clear, it felt as if I could walk through it and into a new world.
But it was the blue jewel in the silver setting at the top of the mirror that made me suck in a sharp breath.
“A gift from my husband,” the queen said, and I blushed. I’d been staring. She turned away, murmuring to one of her ladies, and I gawked at the remaining walls and the high ceiling, all painted in fine, detailed patterns.
The fire was so large, both Tibris and I could have stood inside it, and the room was almost stiflingly warm as the flames roared.
“Come closer,” the queen ordered.
I buried my shaking hands in the folds of my dress and complied, ignoring the ladies as they filed in, sitting on the long sofa and plush armchairs near the queen. She looked older up close, with deep lines etched between her brows. But she was incredibly beautiful with her glossy hair and dewy skin.
“Where did you say you were from?”
“Mistrun, Your Majesty.”
She nodded dismissively, her gaze thoughtful. “You were quick to act today.”
“It’s my nature, Your Majesty.”
“So it seems. Oh, do sit down. I keep informal chambers.”
It felt like a trick, but I sat on the closest chair.
“Tell me about yourself.”
If I lived through the next few days, I would kiss Vicer on the mouth. His insistence on us memorizing even the smallest details was the only reason I was able to instantly respond to the queen’s questions.
So I smiled and told her everything I’d learned. My father was a woodworker, originally from the city. He’d met my mother while trading and moved to Mistrun to live since she’d refused to leave her aging parents. I had one brother, who was also working in the castle, and our parents missed us very much, but they understood the opportunity we’d been given.