vision. I should have relaxed at the sight of her, but my every muscle turned to stone. She wore a gown made of little clusters of green avian feathers, the magnificent garment paying proper homage to her curves.
Her hair flowed in rich, sable waves, with only the sides pinned back. A rosy flush painted her luscious skin. Around her eyelids, I detected a subtle line of dragon soot, turning her eyes into a smoky dream.
I’d never seen a more beautiful sight.
As she looked anywhere but my direction, I fought the urge to push my way to her, to crowd her and force her to acknowledge my presence. I approached the king instead, only then noticing the rapidness of his deterioration. Nine days ago, he had been healthy, not a thing wrong with him. Today, he had sallow skin, sunken cheeks, and thinning hair. One of his front teeth had chipped. He had several bruises on his hands.
Everly was right. He was being poisoned, his body wasting away. To remain upright, he leaned on a cane. Since he believed he was being drained by an evil sorceress, he probably wasn’t taking precautions, having his food checked by royal tasters.
I derived no satisfaction from his plight, as I once might have, but I could rouse no sympathy for him, either.
“Prince Saxon,” he said in greeting. Even his voice lacked substance.
“Your Majesty.” Nod. “Princess Dior.” Nod. I accepted her offered hand and kissed her knuckles, but my attention remained on Ashleigh, who continued avoiding my gaze.
“Charmed,” Dior said as she blushed and curtsied.
“We are honored that the royal avian family has joined us this eve,” Philipp said, inclining his head to my relatives. “Queen Raven, Princess Tempest, I’d like to introduce my daughter Princess Dior.” His affection for her was as clear as his disdain for Ashleigh.
The need to defend my princess seethed within me.
Philipp continued, “It is my greatest hope that you can set aside your anger with my other daughter, Princess Ashleigh, and enjoy the festivities. My oracle tells me Prince Saxon has already forgiven the girl.”
“Crown Prince.” I ruled the skies, and it was time everyone understood that.
I would always rule the skies.
Before we’d begun this journey, Noel warned there would be times she would have to relay our secrets to the king in order to hide her true allegiance. Whenever Philipp asked a direct question, she could not evade. Whenever she provided an answer, she could not lie. Sometimes, her visions happened spontaneously, the details spilling from her unbidden.
Risks we’d decided to take, so I did not blame her for speaking of me to my enemy. I didn’t even blame her for giving the eggs to Ashleigh. How could I rail when I appreciated the outcome?
Beaming like a proud papa, Philipp motioned Ashleigh to his side. “Come here, girl.”
Proud? I narrowed my eyes. What was his game? Had he learned about Leonora and hoped to use her power?
“I assure you, King Philipp,” Raven said, lifting her nose, “I will not forgive—”
“She will,” I finished for her. When she opened her mouth to say more, I held up a fisted hand, a command for silence.
She bared her teeth at me, but she went quiet.
Ashleigh floated to her father’s side, a vision...a happily-ever-after all on her own, and peered up at the man, confused. “Father? Would you like me to return to my room?”
I jerked at the question.
The king shook his head. “Only for a moment,” he said. “I’d like you to fetch the trinkets you had made for me.”
Her brow furrowing, she stammered, “Trinkets? I’m sorry, but I’m not sure—”
“The things...the weapons you paid my witch to create for me.” He glanced about the room, as if embarrassed for her. “Yes, I know about them. My oracle sees all. Now go and fetch them. As I have no need of such things, you may give them to Queen Raven as a token of your great affections for her and her people.”
The corners of her mouth turned down, down, her expression hardening. “Yes, Father. Of course. I shall fetch the trinkets.”
I planted my heels in the floor as she dashed off. Her father would pay for this.
The minutes without her passed at a snail’s pace.
“Your Majesty,” I grated, keeping my gaze on the door Ashleigh had exited. “There’s no need for Princess Ashleigh to gift my mother with anything. In fact, I won’t allow it. It is my mother who owes your daughter reparation for years of abuse.”
The queen recoiled at