Page 107 of Of Brides Of Queens

As their reassuring rustle filled my ears, the lonely sight of a tower in a barren world disappeared, as did the sight of two mothers sitting stitched together, steadfast in their vigil over my queendom in death.

My protectors.

I had never had anyone to depend upon in queendom, and barely anyone in monsterdom. Their ancient, maternal presence filled me with confidence.

For princes had become pawns.

Princesses were my obsession.

Kings were my enemies, and one could prove my downfall.

But I would never be lonely again. A monster queen would never need to be alone.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Curiosity

Discomfort

Transaction

The world rumbled.

Cobblestones shook.

The full volume of my new ancientness blasted through my patches as the black hellebores cradling me gently laid me on the ground.

Vitale could barely accommodate my return, but the rumbling and shaking did begin to settle.

I peered at the sky. The hazy sky. The haze was reminiscent of the barren place I had left, and terror thudded my heart twice before I noted the rich color.

Hellebores had laid me outside my wall of bars, not back in the courtyard. I could not guess at their logic in doing so, but as I pondered this, a rope giant stepped over the high walls of my queendom. The last I had seen him, he had equaled the height of my chalky seeing pawns. Now he greatly exceeded any monster I had met.

He shrank rapidly after stepping over the wall, and by the time he reached me, the rope monster was the size I last recalled.

“You are remarkably crafted for your purpose, sir,” I said, unmoving.

My gateman bowed low. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

I regarded him, noticing the monster’s rope jacket and pants, which were new. And his words came from everywhere and nowhere. “You have a wonderful way of talking as if the wind carries your words.”

“’Tis the tangled fiber and steel of me, my queen. Each word must squeeze out the best tangle. Humbly and gratefully, I beg the honor of introducing myself.” The new monster did not straighten from his bow.

“Please do. I am most curious.”

“My name is Picket. Your need for a gateman dragged me through the beast’s yawn, and my gratitude knows no bounds.”

“What is your ancient purpose, sir?”

“To guard the queen’s picket, Your Majesty.”

“That makes great sense considering your name.”

He had still not straightened. “Indeed, and I can also sense what defenses you might need. I canpick it, so to speak.”

I chuckled. “A purpose and a clever word play. You are wonderfully wonderful, Picket. I am glad to meet you.”

“I stagger under your gladness. And are you well, Your Majesty?”

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