Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,94

on the hall and the meager guests. I’d only ever watched a banquet through the magic mirror, and this one felt staged.

Below us was the head table, and on each side was another table with placards designating seats for the guests. A quick look at those within the room gave it away. It was easy to see they were not nobles, lords or ladies, but soldiers and servants disguised as guests.

I recognized Hermine dressed as a lady, her dress not nearly as fine or ornate as the others. But her fear poured off of her in waves. Her hand never strayed far from her clutch and the weapons I knew to be hidden inside.

All an elaborate plot to hide their forces and numbers to deceive Tatiana into thinking she was a welcomed guest and not walking into the obvious trap that it was.

A dark aura clouded my mind, and I looked up as a beautiful woman stepped into the room, her hair hidden beneath draped gold silk, pinned up with rubies. Her golden dress had long flowing sleeves that fell to the floor. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the beauty that was Maris, Queen of Rya. Tall, elegant, and with sharp, predatory eyes, she reminded me of a golden eagle with winged sleeves as she zeroed in on me and approached. I knew if I were worried about King Pharell’s madness, the real danger had only just arrived.

It was the darkness of her aura that gave me grief.

“I thought I told you to stay in your rooms tonight, dear?” King Pharell’s voice was strained as he stepped in front of me.

“Nonsense, we have two very special guests. What kind of host would I be if I weren’t here to greet them?”

Anger flashed in my mind, and I had a vision of two tigers circling each other, sizing up their opponent.

Blood will be shed tonight.

My neck snapped toward the royals in shock. That same mantra came from the Queen’s mind.

A noble with long dark hair caught the king’s attention, and I could feel his reluctance to move away from me. He turned to me, and whispered, “Don’t move,” before heading off.

The mood changed as Queen Maris turned those rapacious eyes on me. She took in my short stool, my hands clasped in my lap, and then she taunted me.

“So, it’s true. A daughter of Eville has entered my home.” I turned and looked at the thin, frail woman standing before me. Her lips, stained the shade of blood, pulled back into a fake smile.

I moved to stand and curtsy, but could not, my body firmly stuck to the seat at the king’s command to not move.

“Who do you think you are that you don’t address me properly?”

I will break her, the Queen thought.

A hand drew back, and she slapped me in the face. I could do nothing but take it, and I felt the sting and then a warm trickle as blood ran down my cheek. The queen smirked as she rotated her giant diamond ring around to sit on top of her finger. A diamond stained with my blood.

She leaned close and stared at my face. Her hand reached for my hair, she gave it a yank, forcing my face forward so she could stare at the bloody mark she left on my face.

“What a passive little thing you are. And to think I had thought you a threat.” Her eyes strayed past me to her husband, the king, who was oblivious to our discussion.

I hate him. He destroyed everything I love.

“W-why,” I asked. “do you hate him?”

She blinked at me and released my hair, and my scalp stopped burning.

“What did you say?” she hissed.

“What did he take from you?”

Those dark eyes filled with pain. Her mouth turned down, and she raised her hand to strike me again.

No, I mentally commanded and felt her falter.

The hand stilled, her eyes filled with fear.

A trumpet peal cut us off, and they announced dancing. It angered me, the great lengths they were going to create this charade. This trap. The king returned to my side, and the queen retreated to her smaller throne a few feet away. As the noble with dark hair passed below the dais, the candlelight reflected along his hair, giving it a strange green hue. Guests moved toward the dance floor, but there were few females present. One noble moved toward me, he bowed, and I only saw the dark top of his head as he requested