Page 115 of Of Brides Of Queens

As it was, the deal between me and Raise had clicked a trust into place. One that had not existed an hour prior. We relied upon each other.

Until now, I had stolen and connived and committed violence to win bridal gifts. I could not say that I would not do so again, but with two princesses, there might be less vice. I found myself yearning to confide. “Princess Bring, please sit. I have a confession and a sorry confirmation to impart on you.”

After she had arranged her blobs in damp fashion on the couch next to Raise, I said, “There was an evening when I did touch your shoulder, Princess Bring. You blinked away with exquisite speed, and you dropped something in the doing.”

She squelched. “My necklace! Do you have it then?”

I dipped my head. “The black pearls were nestled in thyme, and when I saw the glimmer of them, an obsession overcame me such that I was vulnerable to vices never before experienced. I became a thief that evening, Princess Bring, and though guilt and shame pressed at me—for our friendship was growing and I did not wish to endanger this—the idea of returning the necklace to you was unfathomable.Isunfathomable. With this said, please know that I value the uniqueness of you very highly. I am grateful to have met you and to know you.”

Bring said after a beat, “You say that you stole my necklace, and also that you will not return it. But that you like me.”

“Yes,” I replied.

“’Tis difficult… not to feel like a friend would not steal off her friend.”

“Let me explain in more depth for I feel the workings of trust between us. Obsession over your bridal gift, and those of others, has led me into greater power. So I cannot return any of them, for fear of returning queenly power also. I have need of this, and you have need of it also.”

She asked, “How many bridal gifts do you have?”

“Three.”

Her blob relaxed. “So I am not the only friend you have stolen from. This reassures me greatly. You only stole from me for power, and that is understandable. You have said that I will have need of your power, so can I assume my king wishes to kill me?”

My heart sank. She was too kind a princess to be so poorly treated. By me and her king. I wished nothing for her but wildflowers and sweet treats. “Your instincts were sound, Princess Bring. Your king wishes to bachelor himself.”

Her top blob folded over the second. “Yes, yes. I expected this was so. And why would he not with all you are? I can fathom how this is so in his mind. A s-sorry place our union has come to, and neither of us could have foreseen such disinterest and distance.”

Raise glanced at me, and I battled a surge of fury before answering, “You are not responsible for the choices of other monsters, Princess. You are responsible for yours. You did not poison yourself. You have not created a curse that might kill an immortal. You simply did not feel attracted or interested in a king, and this was as much of a surprise to you as him. That is all you have done. Yet you remained true as his princess to witness his rhyme and reason through the centuries. That was your choice, and one you might feel proud of.”

The Brings had not given love and lust enough space, and every bit of space to duty. Thoughts of unions did confound me still.

“And shall I feel proud of being here?” Princess Bring squeaked.

“Shall you feel proud of saving yourself?” I demanded, and there was a boom of fury in my voice that was not directed at her.

She swallowed moistly. “There was an urge to remain alive, I admit.”

I would foster such selfishness. “Urges should be listened to. I implore that you will always do so. You are worthy indeed ofa meaningful and happy existence. Now then, we come to the matter of the fourth bridal gift. That of Princess Change. I can assume by the immense leap in my power after the third bridal gift, that vast power awaits me if I secure the fourth.”

“Her dried bouquet,” said Princess Raise.

Saliva filled my mouth. The dried bouquet of a ruining princess. Tears threatened. Perfection. Untold perfection.

My inhale was ragged. “Only with this power, can I protect those in my queendom against allied kings. I must have it.”

The princesses leaned closer. The slime of one dripped on the floor, and the featureless face of the other was nevertheless awash with intrigue.

“How?” Bring breathed. “How will we do it?”

I smirked at the contagiousness of my obsession. “I will tell you how.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

One uncomfortable price

Did topple into another

And another

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