Page 11 of Promise of Darkness
My smile dies on my lips.
Only three minutes separate the pair of us, and from the moment we were birthed into the world, we were inseparable. I remember rolling in the grass with her as children, chasing demi-fey through the trees, stealing into Mother’s chambers and trying on her jewelry and her crowns….
I don’t know where it all went wrong.
I can’t remember a single fight or betrayal that tore us apart. It was a slow creep of realization, I suppose. Leaving childhood behind and realizing my sister was now my competitor.
It was one of my tutors who pointed out the future to me. I’d never wanted the crown. Andraste could have it for all I cared, but my hob tutor had slapped his cane on the desk in front of me one day when I wasn’t paying attention and snapped that if I didn’t focus on my lessons, then my future was bound to be short and inconsequential.
She’d never hurt me, I protested.
But every ball, I’d see the pair of us on display. Nobles would circle around us, and I realized Andraste was making her own little court.
It soon became clear she was the favorite. The one who began to be seated at Mother’s right hand on the dais. The one who was asked for advice in Mother’s Round Chamber. The doors would close in my face, and I’d see my sister through them, shooting me a sad, apologetic look.
It’s been years since I’ve seen that expression.
The sister I knew is gone, replaced by this hard, implacable woman. Though she wears no crown, the circlet of braids reminds me of a coronet every fucking time I see it.
“You should make the most of it,” she finally says.
“My three months in Evernight?”
“Yes.”
I give an incredulous laugh. “I think you’ve been drinking too much elderberry wine, sister.”
“Perhaps it won’t be so bad,” she replies, toying with the ring on her finger.
Won’t be so bad?“Which part?” My voice roughens. “The part where I’m handed over to a monster? The part where I have to bargain for both my virtue and my life?” A horrible thought occurs. “Was this your idea?”
She has the ear of the queen, after all.
Andraste flinches. “I-I warned against it. But you know she doesn’t always listen.”
It sounds like the truth.
And I want to believe it so badly….
For a moment, Andraste looks like she wants to tell me something.
Then the queen stalks toward us, surrounded by her advisors and guard. The moment’s lost.
“Are you ready?” she demands of both of us, though I know she’s looking at me.
I can’t help myself.
Some part of me always has to challenge her.
So I step forward and brush the cloak from my shoulders, where it falls in a spill around my skirts.
The queen’s face hardens when she sees the dress. For a second, rage ignites her magic, and glints of pure gold streak through her irises.
Defiance is her least favorite attribute.
But it’s too late now.
I arch a brow in her direction. “I don’t want him thinking how nice the red dress looks against my skin, and the white gives the impression I’m some pure little dove ripe for the plucking. Considering I don’t have any chain mail in my wardrobe, I settled on the least offensive option.”
