Page 72 of Of Brides Of Queens

A bridal gift.

That was the price of my obsession—a bridal gift from each princess.

Black pearls from Princess Bring.

Lace gloves from Princess Raise.

There would be two more. I could feel an addiction to how all four must be mine. All fourwouldbe mine, and the simple matter of saving or ruining the world cowered in the shadows of my obsession.

I stood, not nearly as composed and calm and as far from madness as I would prefer. “You can remain in my queendom for as long as your presence does not bring harm to those dependent on me. For this, you have given me your bridal gloves. For this, you will make yourself useful while you are here. Do you have a stirring on what you shall do?”

Princess Raise, so still and quiet, understood that something great was afoot in me. She had glimpsed that which I was not comfortable with—the thieving and conniving vices that inspired guilt and shame. Even if I had bargained for this bridal gift, I had not bargained honestly, and that did not feel wonderful.

Even so, I could not feel sorry for the lace gloves were mine.

“Yes, I have a stirring,” Raise answered at last. “You endured attacks from my king, but that is not the only side of war. There is the aftermath and recovery. Immortals might go on as before for the most part. Humans cannot. I have spent much of my existence listening to human affairs on the radio. I do this to help my king in his purpose, but this has versed me in how to tend to humans after battle. In this way, I will make myself useful to you and uphold that part of our bargain.”

That distracted a tiny part of my mind from the gloves. “That would prove very useful indeed. I had wondered how to manage humans as a queen.”

“The humans are shocked. They need water. Some food soon. Medical attention. New shelter. Reassurance. I will handle this.”

She would, and I would learn from her as she did so. “Please report to me before dawn each night. You can ask what you need of my mother in the courtyard.”

“If we must negotiate supplies from other kings?”

“Come to me with your suggestions and needs for approval.” I could not think what I had to negotiate with.

Princess Raise swept a bow. “Of course, Your Highness.”

“I must go,” I managed to gasp.

Did she note the hastiness of my exit? Did she hear the galloping of my heart or guess at the heavy and dry feeling of my tongue in my mouth?

I kept my steps uniform, knowing she would hear running footsteps—that every monster here might.

“My queen,” Valetise called up. “A dining hall has appeared on the second level.”

I don’t care.“I will be there in short duration!”

“My queen,” Deliver yelled from the courtyard. “There are more humans outside the gate.”

I was coming undone. I shouted, “Urgent matters to attend.”

Nearly there.Nearly alone with my precious prize.

The door to my chamber was a grand double door now. A tarnished copper hellebore was inset in the wood.Beautiful.

I could not care.

Within the doors, a bed did not meet my eyes. I had to blur through a lounge, then asmaller lounge to find my bed chamber. An enormous bathroom branched from it along with a wardrobe suite and a balcony.

These changes had naturally occurred the instant I secured Raise’s bridal gift.

I didn’t care.

I perched on my bed and lifted the gloves to my right cheek. The gloves were soft and warm. Groaning, I rubbed them against my cheek and neck. I was but an animal placing my scent on something vital to my survival. Of this side of me, I had no control.

I stared at the gloves for any length of time to know them better, the fragile webs. The beloved gloves of a princess.