Page 48 of Of Skulls Of Shackles

Pawns should not obey the calls of their king during this time. I frowned at their immense rudeness.

Gangrel, Sanguine, and Vassal’s fangs slithered down.

“Our king calls urgently,” Gangrel hissed. “Might we go, my queen?”

I crossed my arms. “I suppose we are done. You might go.”

Two kings had called their pawns at the same time. Take and Raise… who had not met in a week. What was the connection?

The pawns filed out. When they were gone, I stood from my throne and stomped my foot. Then a second time. And a third.Ah.The release.

I bit back a yelp as the stone floor was gobbled away again. A stairway exploded into the throne room.

“My queen,” gasped Sign. “You asked us to watch kings.”

I strode to him. “You did not disappear on your king’s orders.”

He reeled back as if struck. “I wouldneveranswer my king’s call during our dusk ritual.”

“I stand humbled.” Goodness, and I had stomped my foot three times over it. “What has happened?”

My mind connected Sign’s gasping state to the sudden disappearance of my taking pawns. “What has happened to the Takes?” I asked before he had answered.

He appeared stunned. “How did you know it was the Takes?”

I did not answer, for I had heard a knock at my wall of bars. The knock was not timid, nor humble, nor respectful. The knock was furious and jilted.

“Await my order,” I said to Sign, then floated in queenly gait to the courtyard.

Princess Change smirked from the shadows behind mother’s grave, and I ignored her to approach the gate.

Picket was there. “My queen, Princess Take visits. Shall I allow her entry?”

My, but my picket monster was bedraggled. Just how hard was he working.

“Allow me?” she screeched. “Allow me?”

“You may allow her entry,” I told him.

Picket drew the gate open, and Princess Take shoved inside. She carried a hat case that appeared to be stuffed with lace and silk. Beyond the wall of bars were two horse-drawn wagons overflowing with furniture and wooden trunks. My gaze swept over a vanity, coat stand, and full-length mirror.

Princess Take stormed past me, aiming for the stairway that led up to the second floor. I did not need to be queen to gather that the princess was moving in.

“Princess Take,” I drawled.

She paused, a delicate hand placed upon the railing. Fury was etched in the tension of her shoulders and the heavings of her breath.

I called, “You are welcome in my queendom, and I will know the circumstances.”

Her exhale shuddered. “I will not put up with his… his aloofness any longer. If he does not wish for my flesh, then I emptied myself of all else forhim,and there is nothing to keep us together any longer. He shall not have me at all!”

From that I could gather that King Take had kicked her out, and not through any thinking of his own.

King Change had been busy.

“While staying in my queendom, you will make yourself useful. Consider your role tonight, and we will speak of our arrangement at dawn.”

Princess Take charged upstairs without replying.

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