Page 116 of Of Skulls Of Shackles

“No, my queen. Before dawn on the first night of the gala, it became clear that the outfit would only be needed if matters between the two of you were uncertain.”

In case See had needed more persuasion. “I see.”

I used the basin and cloths behind the screen to scrub at some of our lovemaking—for lovemaking was what it had been. Never again, but once and treasured.

I faced Valetise and frowned at the dress in her hands. Not a dress, as such. The trousers were loose, but made of sturdy fabric that would not easily tear. She tended to dress me in fragile materials unless my emotional state did not allow it. The tunic was partly dress and hung to the knee. Nogs fastened the high collar and large slits parted the garment from knee to hip to allow easy movement.

“Beautiful,” I remarked, then lifted my gaze to Valetise’s. This was not the stately and fierce conquering gown I had expected.

She met my gaze. “Beautiful… and functional.”

Fighting attire. King Bring would resist. I inhaled and straightened my back. “Beauty without functionality is a wasted thing. True magnificence resides in being functionally crafted.”

Valetise curtsied, and then set to braiding my hair. The braid was certainly beautiful, too, and I could feel how tight she made it.

Functional.

My wardrobe monster prepared me for war.

I tuned into the king on the other side. He had not moved. His breaths had calmed somewhat. I could not detect any tension radiating from him, nor any malintent.Curious.

Valetise curtsied again. “Done, my queen. Princess Take asked me to inform you that she has transported over King Bring’s shackles.”

“That was farseeing of her. Excellent.” I strode out from the screen and approached the king.

His eyes were bloodshot and yellowed as he swayed on the armchair. “Magnificent, as ever.”

I dipped my head. “Let us walk together, sir.”

I was a monster queen, and guiding a king through the gothic corridors was no strenuous task. Rather,notbreaking him was the harder task. I kept my support under his arm light and spread my hand wide so as not to dig parts of his arm away.

I walked as he shuffled, and when the king could not shuffle further, I cradled him in my arms to complete our journey.

Has Been and Is opened the doors for me, and when I entered the lounge, my other sick pawns lined the walls.

Three kings awoke at my appearance. Princesses stood from their chairs.Allprincesses.

I frowned at Princess Change. “King See ordered you locked in the dungeon during daylight hours.”

“Yes, my queen,” said Princess Raise. “But pawns were too sick to see the order carried out.”

I considered the princess of ruin. “And what did you do during daylight? Let me guess. You went digging.”

She did not break her numbness. The princess was digging at the last of my patience. I had been too lenient with her, and that must change.

I shot out a stitch to bind her hands behind her back. Fear and panic flared in her gaze, and I relished the lack of despondency. “Princess Bring, take her to the dungeons and lock her there.”

Princess Bring had stared steadfastly at her king cradled in my arms. “Y-yes, my queen. Will he live?”

King Bring cracked open an eyelid. “Do you wish me to live, princess who was mine?”

“I do, of course!” she cried. “I would never wish a monster to die.

“That is the beauty of you that I have not appreciated until too late,” he wheezed. “I am sorry, Princess Bring. How quickly I became undeserving of you.”

The princess started to wobble her upset.

“The dungeon,” I reminded her softly. “All will be well once he is shackled. If mending is fated, then mending you will have.”

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