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Damn.
I can’t help but be impressed. The spies here must do very in-depth research to get my middle name. Only those within Brightwick have ever heard it. Mainly being yelled by my father in disapproval over something I did.
“What about you? Is there another name I can call you besides Queen?” I push the test of our friendship.
She inhales and takes in the view around us before answering.
“I have no name in this kingdom. One was never given to me. That was a power I wasn’t granted.” Her eyes are void of all emotion as she speaks.
The light breeze caresses our skin and lifts her curls softly in the air. She closes her eyes, letting it wash over her, seeming to carry away the pain in her words.
Bringing her gaze back to me, her eyes become bright and warm.
A carefully placed mask to push down all the hurt. I see you behind there, Queen, because I do it myself.
She lingers on the healing bruise her punch left on my jaw. Soft, gentle fingers trace the spot, and I close my eyes at the sensation. The queen rubs her thumb over my skin, causing sparks to radiate from her touch. There’s a slowly building fire that will overtake me if I don’t get control.I take a deep breath.
“I’m sorry,” I hear her whisper.
Opening my eyes, I see there’s pain in her expression. I fight the urge to reach out and scoop her into my arms to reassure her everything is fine.
I need to stop wanting to comfort my enemy’s wife.
“It’s ok. Not like you’re the first woman to punch me,” I try to lighten the moment by using her own phrasing. Thankfully, the intensity of the moment breaks, and she removes her hand from my face.
As she pulls away, it feels like she takes my heart with her—a slight tug. She turns her gaze back to the scenic view, and I rub my chest, trying to brush away the feeling.
Over the top of the bridge wall, a conspiracy of ravens bursts through the forest canopy and soars into the sky. I stand and walk to get a better look. They dart this way and that, as if chasing each other.
The black birds fly in hypnotic circles, and I watch them, entranced by their movements. A daunting sense of familiarity creeps up my spine, and I remember. These are the same soundless creatures we saw that day at the river, flying and watching us from high above right before the nobu descended upon us. The day King Oren took her from me. My blood boils with renewed hatred for this awful kingdom. A reminder of what they truly are.
And King Asher is worse than Oren ever was.
The queen comes to stand beside me, seeming to admire these horrid birds.
“Those are my ravens. The larger ones are a mated pair, and the three small ones are their offspring.” She points at them as they circle over the forest.
I clench my jaw, trying to remind myself that Lily’s death isn’t her fault but King Oren’s. She seems to notice the tension rolling through me.
“What is it?” she asks, concern peaking in her voice.
I debate not saying anything and letting it go, but I know she won’t accept silence as an answer. Besides, something about her makes me want to tell her things.
“The ravens were in Lux when King Oren killed my best friend ten years ago. They stalked us the day she was murdered. I never knew they were creatures of Umbra, but it makes sense now,” I reply, slowly bringing my gaze to her.
Sadness seems to overtake her. She is the embodiment of empathy, something I didn’t think existed in this kingdom.
“Tell me about her,” she urges gently.
How do I even explain Lily to this woman? How do I tell a woman who married for power that even at sixteen, I knew I had found my Amari and that Umbra’s former king took her from me? She would never believe it. But I can’t help but try.
“She was my everything. Her name was Lilith.” My heart breaks saying her name out loud. Even after all these years, the pain still cuts as deep as Oren’s blade into her flesh.
I look at my hand resting on the wall as the queen covers it with her own. I let the sparks fly between us. When I face her again, I find her eyes filled with tears.
“I can’t remember much, only the way she made me feel. Happy. Loved. Whole. We were just children but already so much to one another,” I say, not sure what more I can say about the love of my life.
I let out a breathy laugh and allow myself to stare at the queen’s beautiful curly hair. Reaching out, I grab a strand and rub it between my fingers. Her eyes follow my hand as she swallows hard.
