Page 117 of Of Brides Of Queens

Before King Take could hiss through jagged fangs at me, I shifted my focus to a husband and wife.

He was as faceless as his princess. The Raises reflected each other, one womanly and one masculine. Their suits even matched this evening, and that was a beautiful and quaint sight. How curious that some of the princesses and kings matched in appearance, where others did not.

I said, “King Raise, naught but a misunderstanding exists between us. I am grateful for this opportunity tonight to erase confusions between us.”

“You keep my princess from me,” he snarled. Deep shadows darkened the blankness of his face.

I replied, “You sought to chain me in eternal servitude.”

He scoffed. “Business.”

“That makes two of us.” I glanced at his wife, then back at him. Tonight would reveal the strength of her persuasive skills.

I looked last at the ruining and beastly king.

My insides flinched at the sight of him, and I could only hope that none of my shock reached my face. He was the most powerfully built of all kings. I had seen the scars that marred his chest, but scars also covered his head. Mange and scar had balded this king, and his features appeared melted by them. His eyelids drooped and pulled as if stretched too tight. His lips were uneven with flesh torn or eaten away. Gum shined white and yellow through the gaps even with his lips pressed together. His nose had the appearance of melt too—and as a result, appeared sliced back so that his nasal cavities were vertical and large. Dented cheekbones. Ears manged and missing in flesh. King Change was a sculpture of torture, and my very being shrank away from the wrongness of his monster, for there was no purpose in how he had transformed himself over centuries.

Whatever I had intended to say was no more. “Change, you come to ruin and nothing more. But I will be glad to know you better.”

The king curled his top lip, revealing more yellow and white gum. “I would expect such a greeting from a pathetic queen.”

Lastly, heart thudding, I studied his princess.

Princess Change.I had greatly feared her bouquet would be in view, but I could not see any hint of dried flower. A goodthing, for I did not wish to become violent before dinner was begun.

She reflected her king’s image, too, a sad and abhorrent picture of scar, mange, and torn flesh. Princess Change was dressed in a black wedding gown, and over the top was a linen gardening apron.

The Changes were united inpurposeand appearance, and perhaps some love or lust; I could not yet say. The Takes were united inlust, purpose, and appearance. The Raises were united inlove, purpose, and appearance. The Brings were different in appearance and were not united in purpose, love, or lust—for though Princess Bring had been unerring in her duty, I could not recall her voicing agreement with her king’s purpose ever.

I could fathom that difference in appearance between king and princess meant something certainly.

I dipped my head. “Princess Change, a pleasure to meet you.”

The princess did not respond. In any way. No physical nor verbal acknowledgement rose from her. She merely gazed at the fireplace, unblinking, and made no answer.

Despondent. Numb. Or set on ignoring me for her king’s sake.

I sat on my throne and declared, “Welcome to you all.”

“Thank you, Queen Perantiqua,” said Princess Raise. “An age has passed since we were last gathered.”

“Not since the very beginning,” Princess Bring said nervously.

Her king watched me with smoldering bedroom eyes, and when I relented and met his regard, he adopted a sensual sprawling pose on the chair. Did he wish me to look at his crotch a time?

His monstrous looks did appeal, as did his saving nature, but not much else. Such pressure over what could be a simple, pleasurable exchange.

Take drawled, “Is your agenda for the eve to remind kings of how we once agreed, weak queen? You are centuries too late, if so.”

His princess laughed with him but cast me a sultry and raking look afterward. When I raised a brow, she blanched and stared at the table again. Unfortunately, her king missed none of the interaction, and what little lip Take had thinned and disappeared to accentuate the complete length of his fangs.

“That is not my agenda this eve, taking king. I applaud you on the sheer length of your fangs.”

King See chuckled under his breath and into his goblet.

I had the urge to grin. I did not.

“Then what is your agenda?” King Take focused on me, and I made sure not to fix on his features.

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