Page 23 of The Court of Secrets
“I will not send him away.” I balled my fist at my side. “Cedric is my friend. I will not hear of it.”
“You’ll do well to follow in your father’s footsteps.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Vahaga and Lord Abor wrote to me, telling me of your challenging, frankly radical ideas.”
“Of course they did. Also, it’s not radical to befriend light fae and not want to attack another kingdom while our numbers have dwindled.”
“That fashion.” She looked me up and down. “If you can call it that.”
“I like it.”
She scoffed. “You look ridiculous. It’s way too revealing. Would you like your subjects to see you as some common whore?”
I smirked. “I’ll ensure I have more gowns brought from Niferum. Perhaps I shall dress my ladies in them. The Ruby Circle is soon, yes?” I mentioned, referring to the age-old tradition where ladies would come to court to compete to become ladies of the princess or queen. “I will make them all follow the fashion. Perhaps I will even bring one of the fae on as one of my ladies.”
She grabbed my wrist and dug her nails in, until they left pink crescent shapes in my skin. Her face was warped, her eyes manic as she glared into mine. “This is not a game, you stupid, petulant child. You will destroy everything you father built, and his ancestors before him. You besmirch the family name by conferring withtheirkind, and dressing like them. You are a Mortis. You better start acting like one.”
I half-smiled. “I am so, so glad I got away from this place enough to see you and my father for what you really were.”
“Mind your words. I am still your mother. Where is your dignity?” She rubbed her forehead as if I had worried her enough.
“Mine? Ha.” I gave her a look. With any luck, I could anger her more. “Did you know Cedric and I are together?” I was enjoying myself far too much. “He’s a great kisser.”
“Enough!” she spat. “How dare you say such awful things?” She jutted her chin. “You will behave befitting a queen or else.”
“Or else what?” I pushed past her, making my way toward the small courtyard where an isolated bench sat, frosted by the early winter chill. Bare branches reached downward from the three trees that shadowed the stony ground. “You’re unbelievable. I almost died, and your first words are a command to my actions back at court.” My voice raised. “I mean, I should have expected it. It’s what happened the last time.” The courtyard was empty, as it always was. “You never came to fight with us or to see me. I know you would have known about the battle before it happened, so do us both a favor and don’t pretend otherwise. You have eyes and ears everywhere. It’s how you always knew about Father’s plans.”
Nothing changed in her expression. I searched her bloodshot eyes for a flicker of emotion, but she gave nothing away.
“You’ve never shown me any love,” I said and wrinkled my fingers into the dark fabric of my dress.
Her eyes rolled behind her closed lids. When she opened them, her nose wrinkled. “Stop being dramatic, Winter.”
I narrowed my gaze, my jaw clenching as I stared her down. “Don’t test me,Mother, or I’ll show you dramatic.”
“You are the ruler of a kingdom, need I remind you? Everyone is watching your movements. You wear our name. You are the face that will guide Magaelor, continuing centuries-old traditions that are the foundation of this monarchy. I will not have you ruin it because you’re feeling hurt.” She scoffed. “I have done my duty by you. I have taught you everything you know.”
I laughed and licked my lips. “It showed. You taught me all the wrong things. Traveling, I saw truths you did your best to hide from me, but I saw them anyway. You want me to be like you? I’d rather lose my crown and die then live such a pointless, boring existence. I will do what I believe is best for Magaelor because it is my kingdom.” I paused. “Not yours!”
She barely moved. She stood statuesque while listening, silently judging me. “You are young. Perhaps this was a mistake. Maybe you need a regent.”
“Don’t you dare even attempt it. I’m over the age to rule.” I growled under my breath. “You have been brought here because I said it could be so, and I can just as easily send you away.”
Her left eyebrow quivered, then raised. “The lords will not be pleased with you if you do.”
“What if I don’t care? They’ll pick their battles with me because they know they have many to fight. Why would they waste them on you? You are here, for now, to keep the peace and make a good impression.” I took a step forward, closing the gap between us. “If you say another word to me, I will send you back to Inferis where you can live out your miserable existence in that cold, gray castle. Understand?”
“Once you’ve come to your senses, I will forgive you for speaking to me in such a disparate tone and place it down to youthful arrogance.”
“I hate you,” I said, my lips pressed tightly. “No. Wait. Idespiseyou. Understand this,Mother,you are welcome to hold your breath waiting for an apology because I will never, ever give you one.”
“If you won’t send him away for me, do it for your people.” A lock of black hair had come loose from her tight bun, so she pushed it out of her face. “They have been through enough.”
“I believe they will survive the fae’s presence and my dresses.” I growled. “Get out of my sight, before I have you dragged from this courtyard to your room on the other side of the castle.”
She clicked her tongue. The darkness in me tugged my attention toward a rock lying next to a gray tree trunk. It whispered for me to pick it up. I imagined hitting her with it, watching crimson soak the ground and her eyes turn empty. A sinister grin crept upon my face, and my fingers flexed.
“Winter!” Cedric’s voice saved me, as always.
My mother looked him down as she passed him. She shot me one final glance before disappearing into the corridor.
