The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil #2) - Gena Showalter Page 0,122

rest of his life, he would be bound to my father’s will, his word his literal bond.

Six others shouted their response, one after the other. “I will give you a chest of bigger coins.”

“The princess and I will name our firstborn after you.”

“I will have my scribe write incredible tales in your honor.”

“I will give you my prized Pegasus. A true rarity.”

“I will find a fine husband for your youngest daughter, Princess Marabella.”

“I will fortify your defenses against any enemy.”

Milo’s turn arrived. “Give me the coin, and I will bespell you to live forever.”

My father perked up at that. Could the warlock do such a thing? Surely not. He would have bespelled himself to live forever.

Had he?

Saxon ran his tongue over his teeth. Still peering at me, more intense by the second, he said, “Give me the coin, or lose what you value most.” His harsh tone turned the words into a threat. Give me the coin, or I will take it from you.

Everyone else had offered gain. Saxon offered loss. I didn’t think he referenced the coin, though, and I quaked.

My father pulled at his collar and cleared his throat. “All excellent answers, but I must choose Milo the warlock. Who doesn’t wish to live forever?” He tossed the coin Milo’s way.

Um... Saxon rolled his eyes, not the least bit worried about this supposed immortality spell, which calmed my nerves about it. Milo must have lied. And it was a good one to tell. When he was proven wrong, King Philipp would be too busy being dead to punish him. But by rose petals and sunshine, this put Milo one step closer to victory.

The warlock held the coin up and bowed his head in thanks. As the others clapped, Saxon made a crude gesture with his hand, and I had to press a hand over my mouth to silence a sudden giggle.

A giggle. Amusement. At a time like this.

But the king wasn’t done. “The semifinals will be different from the other battles. The first round won’t be physical. In the coming days, each combatant will plan a half-day with Princess Dior. Afterward, she will pick her favorite. The least favorite will be eliminated from the competition.”

A thick, heavy silence fell over the room, everyone digesting my father’s words. Saxon would be creating a romantic outing with Dior. The girl fate might want him to have. Would he kiss her the way he’d kissed me?

I white-knuckled the arms of my chair.

—I’ll burn the girl alive before I allow her lips near his.—

A tremor rolled through my limbs. Would I be able to stop the phantom from following through with her threat? The insidious way she’d taken ownership of my mouth earlier... I’d had no warning, and no way to fight her.

—He is mine.—

The tips of my fingers heated, and I shot to my feet. I needed to get Leonora away from my stepsister. Now. “P-please excuse me.” Just like Cinder, I ran away from a gathering as fast as my feet would carry me, blazing out of the dining hall.

I raced down a hallway and up a winding staircase. I would lock myself in my room. And burn the palace down?

New plan. I would pack a bag, collect my dragons, and head to the forest tonight. We would camp out until Queen Everly made herself known.

The faster I ran, the faster I shed the fragile facsimile of control I’d wielded. All the pain I’d experienced over my father’s rejection returned and redoubled, and I choked on a sob.

Footsteps sounded behind me, but I only sobbed harder. Who had given chase? I didn’t want to speak with anyone. Not even Saxon. Especially not Saxon. I wasn’t going to say goodbye. I wouldn’t give Leonora an opportunity to interact with him.

—You will remain in this kingdom. Disobey me, and I’ll kill someone you love every day that you are gone.—

I whimpered. Would she? Could she? Finally, I flew into my bedroom and shut the door behind me. I’d made it two steps forward when the door swung open behind me.

I spun, my knees knocking as Saxon stormed inside the room, sealed the door shut, and turned the lock.

Leonora quieted without prompting. I felt her curiosity, though, what little remained of our barrier continuing to weaken. She wanted to know what he’d do. So did I.

Holding my gaze, he marched toward me. Too vulnerable already, I couldn’t stand my ground. I backed into the wall, but he just kept coming, not stopping until