Page 77 of Of Brides Of Queens

Or perhaps not.

Why must mention of See inspire such flutterings and warmths? “Why has he come?”

“He has declared that he means to engage you in, uh, daylight activities all night long,” he said, coloring after a darted look at my company. “Loveless, daylight activities all night long, were his exact words.”

I glared. “Your king leaves much to be desired in his declarations.”

The pawn grimaced, then hovered.

I exhaled. “Will Be, you can inform King See I will be there soon.”

He closed the door, and I pulled a face at the princesses.

“Loveless?” asked Princess Bring. “How could he suggest such to this queen? Can he be blind in powerandsight?”

Raise grunted, “Just like See to overthink it. Too much past, present, and future to look at, that one.”

This outfit was plainer than I would like, but with the two princesses here, I felt embarrassed to change. “My queendom has muddied out relationship, but King See has always been derisive of love.”

The two princesses regarded me, and we were a sorry trio, really. One in tragedy, another in indifference, and me unrequited in love.

Princess Bring whispered, “Your dress highlights your extreme exquisiteness and lovability. You are a painting of everything to be gained with love.”

I smiled. “You are a great warmth around my heart.”

“I say take the pleasure for what it is,” said Raise with a grunt. “You’re the first queen. Who knows what the price might be for union between king and queen. Keep it uncomplicated and loveless for a while.”

I did not always love that Raise’s thinking seemed to support King See’s negative ideals on romance and love.

“She crackles with lightning at the mention of him.” Bring gasped. “He is an imbecile not to crawl on hand and knee to accept all she offers.”

Raise hummed. “True. Better not to love an imbecile, Queen Perantiqua.”

“Ladies,” I said, suppressing a sigh. “Forgive me, but I must attend a king. You have much to catch up on. Do stay and get reacquainted. I will join you again when I can.”

“You won’t come back,” Raise sang.

Bring laughed soggily.

I certainly would be back as soon as I dismissed him. “Just because a king offers loveless, daylight pleasures does not mean a queen will crawl on hand and knee to accept.”

Chapter Sixteen

A mad monster

Might convince itself

Of almost anything.

Ihad not visited my own dining hall yet, so I turned a full circle after walking through one of the grand, gem-studded archways. The entire middle of the first floor where my chambers used to be had been scraped out to make space for the enormous hall. A fire crackled and flames licked the fireplace on the far wall. The ceilings were low.

A heavy wooden table stretched before the fire with room for all my friends and all my enemies.

And an immortal king sat at the table. He sat at the end placing, in the seat a lover might occupy. Or the monster joined to me in union.

His arrogance knew no bounds, and I desired him more for seeing it. I took the seat opposite him, leaving a large and empty expanse of table between us.

“King See,” I greeted. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

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