Don’t think.
Don’t do anything.
Just wait.
I sit down, my stomach a city of upset nerves.The guards bring me breakfast, but I can’t find it in me to eat.
When it’s time to head to Brownston, Istand up on shaky legs and move to themirror.Ilook at my reflection, trying to smooth out myguilt-ridden face.But Icanstill feel it there inside me.A good brownie never commitsmurder.Ever, ever.
But then again,alittle voice counters,we’vealready screamed and cursed and cried.So really, what’sbreaking one more rule?Itisn’tevena big one.Reincarnation exists.And if youthinkabout it–and I am, really, really hard–we’llactually be doing him a favour.Fairy lifeisn’texactly kind, so ifwejust hittherestart button on his life…
Nervously,I twirl in front of the mirroras my thoughts spin inside me.Theopening of the doorcauses me to jump.My feet bang together.My arms flap uselessly, and I crash to the floor with an, “Umph.”
Slowly lifting my head, I gulp as I stare intothe king’sdark-purple eyes.Hot and dangerous,they scrollover my body to linger on my ass.
Blushing, I scramble to my feet and smooth down my jumpsuit.“What are you doing here?”
“I came to collect you for our journey.”Heoffers mehis arm, but Idon’ttake it, confused as to why he’s going through all this trouble sincehe’splanning on having me executed.Why help me bring my stuff here?Why offer to get Fabia’s?She’sdefinitelynot going tostay afterthey kill me; surely, he knowsthat.Unless…
My stomach sinks.
Does he like her?Will he make her queen after me?Then kill her when he’s done?My eyes widen.What if I’m not the first?
“Are you not ready?”he asks, his arm still extended.
“Were you ever married before?”I blurt.
His arm fallsto his side.“No.”
“Engaged?”
His eyes narrow.“Why the interrogation?”
I force a smile.Itisn’tthat hard considering a good brownie hasto smile at so many things – lame jokes, people theydon’tlike, kings that want them dead.“Just trying to get to know you,” Isay.“But no matter, we should go.”
Silence stretchesbetween us.
Hedoesn’tmove.Just studiesme with his violet eyes.
Starting to panic, I wonder if heknowsabout the wasps.But that would be impossible, I assure myself.Fairiescan’tread minds.
Finally, hebreaksthe tension.“Yes, we should,” hesays.Turningon his heels,hewalksout the door.
Exhaling heavily, I follow him.Thisisgoing to work,I tell myself as Jace and his other guards flank us.I just haveto keep my cool, and hewon’texpect a thing and then –Wham!No more Richard.No more wife-executing husband.
Guilt creepsinto my heart.I ignore it.This is for the greater good.I’llbe a much better ruler than he.I’llbe a kind one.A generous one.I’ll get rid of money and war and jobs.Then they’ll be happy likewe are inBrownston.
At the balcony,my guilt is quickly pushed aside by my fear of flying.Expecting Jace to lift me in his arms, Iflinchwhen he walks towards me.But it’sRichard who grabsme.
With a small yelp, I wrap my arms around him and hold on tight.My heart’s pounding soloudly,Icanbarely hear the wind whistling past my ears.The higher heflies, the more I start to panic.I’mcertain I’mgoing to die of a heart attack.
“Relax,” he murmurs.
“Oh, yes, I’ll just do that because you commanded it.”My voice wavers.My pulsegoeswild.
Holding me tighter, hefliesfaster.Iamgoing to be sick.
But then a floorisunder me, and I’mswaying on my feetashis handsrest on my shoulders.Tipping my chin up with two fingers, he gazesinto my eyes.I’m sure I look as wild andaspanicked as Ifeel.
