The Evil Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil) Read online

  Argh! I hadn’t meant to ask a game question, wasting a turn. And had he mentioned a unicorn’s horn?

  He leaned back in his chair, anguish settling over his features. “Tell me about the day my father died.”

  I didn’t want to tell him, but I wanted him to know the truth. He deserved to know. How would he react?

  “Thanks to your compulsion,” I began, “I couldn’t say no when Challen commanded me to marry him. Immediately after we spoke our vows, he escorted me to the throne room. Seven witches joined us. They suspended me midair and danced around, chanting and flinging their blood on me. I would be the last to bleed, a living sacrifice, my life force transferred to the king. But I drained the witches before they could drain me.”

  He sat still and stoic, emotionless, and it added fuel to the flames of my never-ending fury.

  Burning with it, I added, “The very thing you hate—my ancestry—was the very thing that saved my life. I went necromantic, black lines appearing in my skin. The king advanced on me. I warned him what would happen if we touched, but he reached out anyway. He died seconds later.”

  Guilt and sorrow flashed in his eyes. He shifted in his chair, saying, “I’m sorry I placed you in such an awful situation.”

  Once I’d snidely told him, I apologized, and I meant it. I am sorry I hurt you. If you need to spill my blood to forgive me, so be it. Spill my blood. Then we can part ways.

  I hadn’t understood then, but I did now. Sometimes apologies weren’t enough.

  “I’m sure you are,” I snipped. “Just not enough to fix your father’s mistakes.”

  “I told you. Keeping you here ensures your safety.”

  “Lie!” I’d never played chess or commanded an army, so I wasn’t sure what my best move would be. I decided to edge my men to one side, while keeping them grouped together. But when I tried to slide a soldier with a sword to the right, it wouldn’t budge. Huh. I tried to him in the other direction—success!

  My turn to ask a question. Something intentional. I needed to throw Roth for a loop without wasting another opportunity to learn more about him.

  Different questions vied for the privilege of being spoken.

  I met his gaze and said, “Do you plan to free me one day, or kill me?”

  36

  Whether wrong or right,

  you must have might.

  Seconds ticked by in silence, Roth’s eyes becoming endless wells of grief. The very emotion I’d spied in my reflection after Mom died. Though I’d made peace with what happened, regrets still haunted me, ghosts determined to stalk me wherever I ventured.

  Would ghosts of the past forever haunt the king?

  He’d come here to learn something specific. But what? Surely he’d known I would ask about his intentions; surely he’d already drafted a response. Unless I’d made him rethink his strategy?

  He blanked his features and said, “I have no desire to kill you, Everly.”

  “But?”

  “But I will do whatever proves necessary to protect my family and my kingdom. Always.”

  A warning Saxon had once given me...a lifetime ago. My silly heart reacted as if hearing the news for the first time, aching in revolt.

  Unacceptable! I would not start caring about this boy again. “You mean my kingdom.”

  Features—remained blank. Hands—white-knuckling the arms of his chair. He was not unaffected by our topic of conversation. “Queens by marriage do not rule a kingdom. Descendants do.”

  When he reached out to move one of his soldiers, I latched on to his wrist, stopping him. “Your reply is unclear, and clarity matters,” I said. “You will protect your kingdom. Got it. Does that mean my actions will spur your own, or that you’ll kill me no matter what I do?”

  He peered at me, laser-focused, until I squirmed in my seat. “Since my return, I’ve met with seven different oracles. They had the same warning. As soon as you are free, you and Farrah will war, but only one of you will walk away.”

  Me! Me! I would be the one. “Let me go right now, and I will put you and your family in my rear view. We’ll end the cycle of hate. Or make the predictions a self-fulfilling prophecy and keep me here. When Farrah strikes at me again, and she will, I will retaliate.”

  He shook his head. “You will stay here, where I can guard you, where you have no need to syphon and hurt others.”

  “I won’t hurt anyone! Not again.”

  “You cannot guarantee such a thing.” He sighed. “I’m not sure what I’ll do with you, sorceress, but you may rest easy about one fact. I will tell you my decision as soon as I make it, giving you time to prepare.”

  I released his wrist and instantly missed his body heat. Stupid!

  He slid a player closer to mine. Meaning, he’d told the truth. Meaning, he remained honorable, at least in this regard; I could work with honorable.

  “Did you leave a boyfriend in the mortal world?” he asked.

  Uh, why did he care now? He hadn’t wondered when he’d held me in the firelight, or kissed the breath from my lungs. Maybe he hoped to use the guy against me?

  Watching him closely, I said, “I left a former boyfriend, Peter. I embarrassed him, so we broke up. Apparently, all the men in my life suffer from such an affliction.” I moved a soldier. “Noel said your father would live if you found the Apple of Life and Death. Well, you found me, and he’s dead. So what gives? And why trust her?”

  “I asked her about this. She reminded me that she told me the King of Sevón would live, not King Challen. You killed one king, and saved the other—me. Half death, half life.”

  Well, well. A loophole. Should have known. But when had I saved Roth? The battle with the trolls?

  “How did this Peter win you?” he asked, backtracking.

  Ugh. Still harping on this? I needed to redirect him, and fast, before his line of questioning made me want bad, bad things. Like more kisses.

  Putting an annoying amount of smirk in my tone, I said, “Why do you care? Are you thinking about lowering yourself to audition for the role of my significant other?”

  “Answer the question, sorceress.” His snippy tone would have delighted me under any other circumstances. “Actually, no. I’d rather know why was he embarrassed of you. I doubt he knew you were a sorceress.”

  My cheeks heated. I’d never felt so exposed. Wanting to shore my defenses, I allowed my vengeful side to respond. “I’ll answer two questions for the price of one. Because I’m generous like that. Firstly, he won me by writing sweet notes and making up excuses to come see me. He didn’t imprison me, prevent me from searching for my missing sister or negate my magic with a metal collar. Secondly, he was embarrassed because I’m so different from normal people.” I used air quotes. “I can stare at a mirror for hours, so of course I’m vain. I don’t always smile, so of course I’m grumpy and cold. I don’t always care what others think of me, so of course I’m a snob.”

  Roth rubbed two fingers along the dark stubble on his jaw, giving nothing away.

  Resentful, I moved a player. “You once admitted you hate your magic. Tell me why you hate it.”

  He braced, admitting, “My youngest brother, Dominik, used to follow me everywhere. One day, I was injured during training. I wanted to rest, wanted peace and quiet, but Dom stayed close, talking nonstop. Looking back, I realize he was concerned about me, and hoped to make me feel better. But I was in pain and irritated, and I snapped. I told him to not speak another word, to go away and never come back. Seemingly innocuous commands. I had no idea that my ability manifested, that I’d compelled him. He did go away, and he didn’t come back. We found his body weeks later. He’d left and the elements killed him.”

  Roth relayed the information with zero emotional inflection, yet I would swear I tasted his torment.

  “I’m so sorry.” Though he hadn’t asked, I admitted,
“I know the agony of accidentally harming someone you love. I drained my mother. If not for me, she would still be alive. While I’ve let go of my grief, my heart remains scarred.”

  “Scarred. Yes,” he rasped, advancing a soldier. “Those scars are a constant reminder of the worst mistake I ever made.”

  I nodded. “I keep hoping better things await me in the future. Alas.”

  Guilt flushed his cheeks. “What is your natural magical ability? The one you were born with.”

  Once again, I had conflicting desires. I didn’t want to tell him, but I didn’t want to lose the game, either. “Mirrors. I acquired the ability to scry when my mother died.” I let my soldier chase his. “Did you know our sisters were in love?”

  “Yes.”

  When he said no more, I protested. “You shouldn’t get to advance a soldier for a one-word answer.”

  “Then ask another question.”

  I racked my brain and came up with “If you weren’t royalty, what would you be?”

  “A soldier of war,” he offered without hesitation. “Combat is what I know, what I’m good at.” He advanced the same soldier as before, then motioned to my midsection. “How did you get hurt? More specifically, what happened to damage your ribs?”

  Curious about his response, I answered, “You can thank Annica, the one you trust above all others. She likes to hit me with the broom.”

  He went still, tenser than before. “I’ll take care of it.”

  His tone... I’d never heard such menace. I almost felt bad for Annica. Almost. “Maybe I’m lying.” I hadn’t moved my soldier yet, so he had no idea whether I could or not. “Maybe I hurt myself, hoping to gain your sympathy.”

  “I wish you would accept my sympathy. Instead, you only ever give me a tongue-lashing. Especially when I do something nice.”

  Did I really? And did he maybe kinda sorta...like it?

  “You have my word,” he added, that menacing tone back. “Annica will not harm you again.”

  Ohhh. What was he planning to do? “I won’t say thank you.” My tremors restarted as I made another move on the board. “Do you ever think about our kiss?”

  During a prolonged beat of silence, I thought he would pass, refusing to answer. Then he said, “Constantly.”

  My trembling grew worse.

  “Do you think about our kiss?” he asked, and I would swear he held his breath. “Do you think of me at all?”

  I could not be so foolish, or so brave. So, I danced around the issue, saying, “I think about you...occasionally.” I thought about him occasionally, and frequently, and yes, constantly.

  The light in his eyes dimmed. I’d hurt him.

  Good!

  But now I wanted to sob.

  We moved our soldiers, and I noticed he had access to a wider range of squares. I needed to up my game!

  “What is the real reason you wanted to play Inquisition with me?” I asked. “What is it you want to know?”

  Gaze unwavering, he said, “I need to make a decision about you, one way or the other. Your presence here...torments me. I thought the game would help.” He tapped a square, and his soldier moved there, closer to mine. “Did you enjoy being queen?”

  We were just going to blaze right by the comment about being tormented by my presence? Okay, then. “Yes and no. I like being in charge. I can’t deny it. I like power and value strength. Yet, even when I used my power and strength to make life better for my subjects, I received criticism and death threats.”

  He listened and stiffened.

  I followed his lead and tapped a square. My soldier moved closer to his, all on his own. “You know Truly is my sister and related to a sorcerer,” I said. “Are you going to harm her?”

  “No. I had her locked in her chamber as insurance, not punishment. You won’t leave without her. You won’t hurt my sister while I hold yours. And Queen Violet won’t attack the kingdom while her daughter is here.”

  He made another move on the board, and relief overwhelmed me. He’d meant what he’d said. “I’m surprised you didn’t lock her in the tower with me.”

  “And let the two of you plan an escape together? No.”

  Smart. “Tell me about your childhood.”

  “You already know the highlights. I’m the second son of Challen, King of Sevón. Far too young, I began my military training. I’ve lost a mother, a stepmother and two brothers. I’m nineteen years old and responsible for millions of lives.”

  The more I got to know Roth, the older he seemed. Nineteen? Try thirty. Experience could do that to a person, I supposed. I felt ancient. Like, forty!

  He slid a soldier away from mine, saying, “Tell me about your childhood.”

  What to admit, and what to hide? “As an infant, I was sent to the mortal world because my father wanted to kill me. My aunt raised me. I’ve been loved, and I’ve been hated. After Mom died, I found out my entire life was a lie. I learned about Violet and Truly, and I was so excited to meet them. When I came upon Truly first, I decided not to tell her who I was. I believed Violet and I would tell her together.” I tried to sound flippant. I just sounded bitter. “The same day you escorted me to the palace, she ordered her guards to kill me.” Don’t care, don’t care.

  He grew more and more stiff.

  I moved my most menacing soldier into the fray, and said, “Do you wish you’d never met me?”

  Silence. One minute passed, two, every second more soul-crushing than the last.

  “It’s not a head scratcher, Roth. Answer the question.”

  He drummed his fingers against the table. “Things would be easier if we’d never met. That much I know.”

  Ouch.

  “But no,” he said, and sighed. “I cannot regret meeting you.” Not giving me a chance to respond—not that I knew how to respond—he asked, “I know you are an illusionist and a scrier. What other magical abilities do you possess?”

  Translation: How many people have you drained to death, Everly?

  Too many. “Pass,” I said. Let him wonder what else I could do. Perhaps he’d grow to fear me like so many others. Then he’d think twice about treating me badly. The fact that the desire to sob intensified? So what?

  He quirked a brow and moved one of his soldiers, intrigue reigniting the light in his eyes.

  My turn. “What do you know about Queen Violet’s transformation from beloved mother to homicidal maniac?”

  Shrug. “She was your father’s fourth wife. The other three did not conceive an heir within the first year of marriage, and the king oversaw their executions. Anytime I visited Airaria, or the royal family visited Sevón, Violet remained quiet and subdued, reminding me of a volcano about to blow. Tension thrummed from her, and she snapped her responses to people.”

  “That law is barbaric.”

  “Agreed. Violet has since abolished the practice in Airaria, just as I have abolished it here.”

  “No,” I said with a shake of my head. “I abolished it here.”

  A grin teased the corners of his mouth. “Yes, I heard about your amendment. Wives are allowed to kill their husbands at any time, if they are not pleased.”

  “What can I say? Payback sucks.”

  The grin flashed, mega-watt, but it didn’t linger. “I had to abolish your law, too. But I digress,” he said. “The biggest of Violet’s changes came after she murdered your father. Perhaps because she’d taken the first step down a very dark road.”

  “Every journey begins in such a way. Our choices steer our course.” Hint, hint. You’re headed down a very dark road yourself, princeling.

  Could the same be said of me?

  “What were your hobbies in the mortal world?” Roth moved a soldier...who then gunned down one of mine.

  I nearly swept the pieces to the floor in a fit of pique. I. Hated. Losing. “I took c
lasses. I learned how to dance, swim and fence. I read novels and trained in self-defense. Once a week, Mom made us sit before a hearth and knit. As long as I was with my family, I was happy.” I would give anything for one more hour with my loved ones—heck, one more minute.

  He belted out a laugh. “I can’t picture you with knitting needles...for anything other than stabbing an opponent.”

  “I’m quite good.” I fluffed my hair. “I’ve knitted a cap that looked like a brain, socks decorated with pole dancers, and a cover for a guy’s...you know.” Mom had always dreaded the unveiling of my handiwork.

  He belted out another laugh, but quickly sobered. No matter. Power went straight to my head. Even locked up, torque’d and bearing the title of “former stepmother,” I affected this boy.

  I moved a center player toward my others, to act as a guard, and launched into my next question. “What are your hobbies?”

  “I have no time for hobbies. I take meetings, negotiate deals, prevent other kingdoms from allying, train, and oversee disputes between citizens. I used to enjoy puzzles.”

  “Why not now? Those puzzles helped calm me after a long day at the royal office.”

  His eyelids hooded, delicious tension wafting from him. “I knew you’d stayed in my bedroom. Your scent permeates every inch.”

  Shivers rocked me in my seat. “You’re welcome.”

  He noticed, and I didn’t have to wonder how he felt about it. Those hooded eyes all but smoked with heat. “Just so you know, you impressed me. You completed one I’d struggled with.”

  I gave my hair another fluff.

  “To answer your question,” he said, “I stopped working puzzles when I discovered the fun I could have with girls.”

  I snorted. “Of course you did.”

  “You impressed me in other ways, too. Roycefus read me transcripts of your meetings. You negotiated masterfully.”