The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil #2) - Gena Showalter Page 0,144

thank you for making it so easy. The king has paid me a handsome sum to do a double delivery. Ashleigh will go to his dungeon, and you will go to the coliseum.”

The dungeon? “What is he planning to do at the coliseum?” If he harmed Saxon...

“I will kill you for this, Ophelia,” Saxon snarled. “Your corpse will feed worms, and your bones will be my trophy.”

The witch’s grin only widened. “First of all, I dare a worm to touch this. Second, I have a get-out-of-jail-free card, remember, Saxy? You won’t be doing anything to me.” She patted his cheeks as they drained of color. “But don’t worry. I won’t rub in my victory more than a little.” She turned to me. “You’re up first.”

“Ophelia—” Saxon bellowed.

“It’s time to blow this joint.” She clasped my arm. “Sorry not sorry.”

I looked at the avian who’d won my heart. He was still staring at me, all the love of the universe seeming to glow in his eyes.

“Ashleigh, I’ll—” The forest vanished, cutting him off.

A dim, dank room appeared around me. Noooo. What had Saxon been saying? I’ll find you? I’ll love you forever?

I’ll die for you?

Screeching, I spun, ready for battle. But the witch had already done as threatened. Ophelia had already locked me away, transporting me into a cell in the dungeon. I stood behind a wall of bars, the other walls made of dirt and stone, just like the floor. The only piece of furniture was a cot with a paper-thin sheet.

“Hello, Ashleigh.” Standing outside the cell, my father hobbled from the shadows. He leaned heavily on a cane. Ophelia and Milo flanked his sides. Behind Milo—I popped my jaw. There stood Dior, staring down at her feet.

Leonora laughed and laughed, just as she’d done the day I was dropped from the sky.

Dior had been working with my father, too? My chest...nothing but a wound, every breath burning as if I’d inhaled flames. Ignoring the others, I cried, “Father? You hate me so much, you’ll lock me away like a common criminal?”

“Your. Majesty,” he intoned, lifting his chin.

Milo placed a hand on his shoulder, patting him gently before grinning at me. His smug expression said, Game, set, match. “In a matter of hours, the sun will rise and the loser of the dance will be announced. The final battle will commence immediately afterward. Thank you for doing your job and keeping the avian distracted as we moved our chess pieces over the war board.”

Breath hitched. “How long have you known the truth about Saxon?”

“Since the beginning, thanks to my oracle.” He coughed into his hand, spraying droplets of blood. “He will die today, along with his friends Roth and Everly. Finally, I will heal, the sorceress no longer able to syphon the power from me.”

“You’re being poisoned by Milo. I’m sure of it. He hopes to rule this kingdom with Leonora.”

Milo made a chiding sound and rolled his eyes. “And who is this Leonora you speak of?”

Had no one told my father about the phantom?

“My oracle assures me a great evil is responsible for my condition,” my father said, “and there is no evil greater than the Evil Queen.”

Oh, I could think of plenty greater. My father, for one. Milo. Noel and Ophelia. Raven and Tempest. LEONORA.

“Why am I locked up?” I asked, trying not to panic.

“Because I cannot trust you to do what is right,” he said simply.

Me? “What do you plan to do to Saxon?”

“I’ve made a bargain with his mother. I will arrange for him to be hailed as the strongest in the land, and in return, Tempest will slay him in front of witnesses, proving her right to rule the avian.”

Betrayed by his own family.

“This depends on whether or not he survives battle, of course.” Milo’s grin returned and widened. “There’s nothing you can do to stop this, Ashleigh. You should stop fighting the inevitable.”

Words he meant in more than one way, no doubt.

My father frowned at the warlock. “Saxon will win. I command it so, and you will lose as you’ve been told, grateful I have spared your life. Then Tempest will kill her brother and lead the avian army against Roth and Everly, who plan to ambush me at the celebration ball.”

“You think the other combatants are going to lose without a fight?” I forced a laugh, when all I wanted to do was cry. “You are a bigger fool than I thought.”

Milo glowered at me. “Do you think my magic will allow any