The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil #2) - Gena Showalter Page 0,66

life, so I think I’ve changed my mind about you, but I’m still not sure why I’m even considering this.” The babbling stopped long enough for her to draw in a deep breath. “On the other hand, if you do represent the fairy-tale prince, as part of me continues to suspect—”

“What are you trying to tell me, Asha?” I asked, amused despite myself.

“—perhaps your greatest enemy is pretending to be your best friend. Or something,” she added without offering a courtesy response to my question. “Or maybe she’s using her voice magic to trick you. Do you understand what I’m saying now? You need to know so you’ll understand why I’m laughing in your face later and reminding you about the night you refused to believe in fairy-tale prophecies.”

“Asha,” I repeated. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m not sure how you’re not getting this. I’ve explained it three different ways now. Don’t make me flat out say it.”

“I need you to flat-out say it.”

She sighed. “This is about your soldier Eve. I saw her kissing your competition. One of the fae. They might be conspiring to take you out. I don’t know. But that might be a good thing, because I’m starting to think you’re all wrong for her. And Dior. You could crush her perfect, golden heart. Why would fate want that? Withering roses. I’ve contracted her chatter. Shut up, Ash.”

Ah. She’d stumbled upon Everly and Roth. And she’d told me. She’d helped me, even after I’d left her trapped in the tent.

I didn’t know what to think about this development.

Ashleigh gaped up at me. “You knew about their relationship, I can tell. Is she spying for you, then?”

“I will not confirm or deny whether I knew or did not know about the relationship that may or may not be real or faked.” Not with a girl I shouldn’t—wouldn’t—trust. “The only person you should worry about is yourself.”

I pulled her closer, my gaze dipping to her mouth. So plump. So red. So ripe for a kiss. “May we concentrate on our dance now?”

“Of course we can.” With a laugh, she threw back her arms, her head, forcing me to hold her tighter to keep her from falling. “I think I’m drunk on the night. I feel amazing right now.”

“Saxon?” The firm feminine voice came from behind me.

That couldn’t be who I thought it was.

Scowling, I turned my head to eye the speaker. It was. My anger gave way to surprise as I exchanged nods with my sister, Tempest. I’d seen her once or twice in the years since my exile, when we’d both visited the same kingdom to attend some type of formal ceremony. She’d changed quite a bit since the last sighting, but her wings had remained the same.

Standing at six foot tall, she had shoulder-length hair as blue as my wings. The board-straight locks framed an arresting face with black eyes, cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass, and skin a shade lighter than mine. She wore the uniform of an elite soldier in the avian army: a leather vest with mesh cutouts around vital organs, and black leather pants. The hilts of two short swords rose from her shoulders, alongside the bright pink wings she’d always despised.

Childhood traumas that had never healed properly suddenly throbbed. The betrayal of my parents...this loss of my siblings... “Has something happened?” I demanded without releasing Ashleigh. At the moment, she was my only anchor in the firestorm.

Tempest swept her glare over the princess. “I came to warn you. Mother is on her way. She heard about your fascination with the princess and fears the past is repeating itself.”

I worked my jaw, my mood hitting irate and about to return to anger.

“Hello,” Ashleigh said to Tempest, and I applauded her fortitude. “I’m Princess Ashleigh of Fleur. It’s nice to see you again, Princess Tempest.”

My sister didn’t spare her a second glance. “Do me a favor, brother, and tell your pet to hush or—”

“You will hush,” I interjected with enough force to startle both females. “Go to my tent and await me there.” I lifted my hand and snapped my fingers, summoning Adriel.

“I don’t think you understand,” Tempest groused. “Mother is going to arrive within the hour.”

And the hits keep coming. I scoured a hand down my face in an attempt to calm. I wasn’t prepared to deal with Queen Raven yet. I’d experienced too many upheavals these past few weeks, starting with the deaths of my father and brother and the expectation that