Page 58 of Of Brides Of Queens

What was the point of a capable body,

If not this?

“What in the dawn of the new age.” A whisper arose from the entrance of my conservatory.

I did not pause in fastening my robe. “Were you comfortable in the laundry, Princess Raise?”

“Yes, though it was more of a lounge than a laundry room.”

Just so.I faced the princess. She tilted her head here and there, likely to see all my stitches.

“The sight of me confuses you,” I remarked.

Princess Raise was dressed in the same suit as last night, but the crispness was unaltered, which could only impress.

I kept my gaze away from her sleeves and the lace gloves concealed there. If I could refrain from looking at them, then this conversation might have a good end.

The princess was breathless. “That is not all I feel. How come you to be so stitched together, Queen Perantiqua?”

“Fifty mothers made me.”

“Ah, yes. Many would be needed to create such a creature.”

“You were not made,” I answered. “You were born.”

“Thirty years in the womb. You must know.” She entered and flopped onto a velvety chaise that Mother had pushed through the floor when I’d arrived before dusk.

For my meeting with Princess Bring, Mother had provided a small table and two chairs.

For my meeting with Princess Raise, she had provided a velvety chaise and gilded throne.

I padded to the copper-gilded throne. Princess Raise gazed at the ceiling. Assumedly. She could see, of that I was sure. “I do know how long ancients warped you. I have spent some time with Princess Bring.”

“Did you capture her too?” the princess asked.

“She came to me. Her king wishes me for concubine. He sent his princess to convince me of their mutual disinterest.”

Raise snorted. “Were you convinced?”

“Yes.”

“Of what?” She turned her head to me.

My lips flicked upward. “An excellent question.”

Raise swallowed. “Your lips torsion. I have never seen this in a monster. It’s…”

She trailed off, and I expected that she might consider uttering the word “exquisite” a weakness.

“Exquisite. Yes. As you are in your facelessness. We are unique and timeless, Princess Raise. Compliments do not remove our intellect nor dignity.”

A scoff this time. “You are young in the ways of a bargain. A bargain is an immortal tally. Compliments can add up to a cost.”

I could only imagine, but a compliment had lowered her guard, and she had given me confirmation that her facelessness was no indication of her power. “An immortal tally. You speak of your union with your king?”

She did not answer immediately. “Young in bargains, but ancient in connections. You know that our union is warped.”

“Only you and your king would know and feel.”

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