Page 76 of Of Brides Of Queens

The fantasy took me by surprise.

Goodness, but my desire did not have the usual outlet, and I was a queen with needs. I would not submit to them, but the force of my fantasy did suggest I should take care of physical matters as a priority.

“You two were so in love,” Princess Raise said sadly to Bring. She had perched on the sofa next to Bring and they were very close. “I will never understand what happened.”

“Nor me,” Bring replied. “And I lived it. You know, he stole my black pearls the other night. I am certain of it. He does not wish me to have them anymore. And he has always been so adamant that I wear them even with indifference between us because all princesses wear their bridal gifts.”

I remained turned away to compose myself through a fresh surge of shame and guilt.

“Your bridal gift is missing?” asked Princess Raise.

I felt her focus on me, and I returned to the armchair. “I have a letter from your king, Princess Bring. He invites me to discuss an alliance.”

“To seduce you,” she said.

No matter that she did not feel attracted to her king, I felt more awkward about voicing such things as our friendship strengthened. King Bring had been right to fear the relationship between us. “I imagine so. An alliance with him would not come without a price, but this will give me a chance to question him about his intentions for poisoning you.”

Raise scoffed. “His intention? How much clearer must he make it? Bring wants you to be his princess, and ancients will not allow him a harem. He seeks to bachelor himself by figuringout how to kill an immortal. I do not like this choice of his. Princess Bring, I am vastly angered on your account.”

“Do not be, dear friend,” she replied. “I would not be if the poison did not make me feel ill.”

“You should be,” seethed Raise.

I had to agree with the underground princess and not the pedestal princess on this. “I will not stand by as a monster is harmed, especially not an exquisite one. I must know how King Bring intends to harm her and if he plans more.”

How exactly could an immortal be harmed? And could we be killed? This felt very important to know.

“You risk angering him,” whispered Bring, not managing to cover her embarrassment over my compliment.

I nodded. “Remember that he is more liable to convince himself of what he already believes given a week.”

“This is true.” And there was hope in her voice. “I would feel better for knowing his plans. There is a feeling in his kingdom that was not there before, like teeth are about to chew me from blob to blob.”

She was afraid. So this princess must not feel completely undeserving of good treatment.

I left them to sit at the writing desk on the far wall.

King Bring,I wrote.

I accept your invitation to discuss alliance,

and anticipate experiencing your meadow again.

Until midnight on the morrow,

Queen Perantiqua.

I passed the sealed letter to Sign, who bowed and left to deliver the message.

“I cannot fathom why you would help me,” Princess Bring said to me after.

Guilt over stealing her necklace, but mostly— “Because I would not see you harmed. On my account, your account, or the account of any other.”

We sat for a time, and though I spoke on occasion, I found delight in listening to two women who had known each other an age. What fun we might share together.

I could speak and listen to them all night long.

“My queen,” murmured Will Be, opening the door. “King See awaits you in the dining room.”

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