Why should I care? a hurt inner voice protested. She was leaving soon. Let them all suffer from the curse.
She slowed to a stop. Now she was being as petty as they were. She shouldn’t judge an entire population by a few rude nobles. If she could help this country, she should. And if she got rid of the curse, wouldn’t they accept her then? Annika had said they would love her.
Was it possible to have a future with Silas? Her heart tightened in her chest. How could she not want a future with him? He had a way of looking at her like she was the most beautiful and clever creature on all of Aerthlan.
When she was with him, she felt so alive. Smart, capable, brave, and happy. No more hiding in shadows; she was free to be herself. She was her best with him. And goddesses help her, she thought he was his best when he was with her.
How could any other man make her feel this way? She wrapped her arms around herself, wishing he could kiss her one more time, that she could feel herself melting in that fiery moment of passion one more time.
If she went back to her sisters, she might be safe, but she might never experience passion again.
So, should she throw herself into the fire? Even if he might be a fire-breathing dragon?
The door opened and the ladies trudged inside. Annika looked crestfallen, while Margosha’s eyes were glistening with tears.
Gwennore swallowed hard. “How bad was it?”
Margosha turned away, wiping a tear from her cheek.
With a sigh, Annika set her satchel on a table. “I don’t think Her Majesty will be with us for very long.”
Gwennore winced. “I thought the same thing when I did a reading on her a few days ago.” She’d explained her gift to the ladies that afternoon. “Did you break the news to the king?”
“I tried,” Margosha said, “but he doesn’t want to believe it. He kept saying she would recover once the curse was gone.” She motioned toward the kettle. “Why don’t we give her some tea every day?”
“I’d like that,” Gwennore admitted. “But even if the tea cleans some of the poison out of her system, I don’t think it can repair the damage that has already happened to her internal organs.”
Annika nodded. “I agree.”
Margosha pressed the back of her hand against her mouth. “So there’s nothing we can do?”
Annika collapsed in a chair. “From what I could tell, it’s a wonder she’s still alive.”
When Margosha stifled a sob, Gwennore wrapped an arm around her. “I’m so sorry.”
The door burst open suddenly and Lady Olenka rushed inside.
Margosha gasped. “Is it the queen? Has she—”
“No, she’s the same.” Olenka closed the door. “But have you heard the latest news? Lord Romak has been arrested and taken to the dungeon!”
“About time,” Annika muttered. “He poisoned Gwennore and Dimitri with that dagger of his.”
With a worried look aimed at the other women in the room, Olenka edged toward Gwennore. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Do—do you still have that little gift I gave you?”
“You mean the dagger you put under my pillow?”
With a hiss, Olenka put a finger against her mouth. “You won’t tell anyone I gave it to you, right? You know I would never want anyone to be hurt!”
Gwennore gave her a wry look. “You asked me to stab the general.”
“Just the tiniest of pricks!” Olenka protested, waving her hands. “But I’ve changed my mind. Please don’t do anything!”
“I wasn’t intending to.”
“Oh, thank the Light.” Olenka struck a dramatic pose, her hand pressed against her brow. “I was so afraid I might be arrested.”
Gwennore rolled her eyes. “There was never any danger of that.”
Annika smirked. “Unless you put poison on the dagger.”
Olenka gasped. “I would never! I wouldn’t even know how!”
Margosha clucked her tongue. “Why on Aerthlan did you do such a foolish thing?”
Olenka lowered her head, looking properly chastised. “I wanted to win the wager everyone’s betting on.”
Margosha snorted. “You’re already receiving free room and board. And beautiful gowns and jewels to wear. Isn’t that enough?”
Olenka winced. “Two months ago Lord Darnhill asked me to marry him. I was considering it, but then his parents said we couldn’t marry because I didn’t have a large enough dowry. So I thought if I had more money—”
“Why would you want to marry Darnhill?” Margosha grimaced. “The man is an ass. Everyone calls him Lord Dunghill.”
While Annika choked back a laugh, Olenka’s bottom lip quivered.
“Don’t waste any tears over a man who gives up on you that easily.” Gwennore wrapped an arm around Olenka’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “I would say you’re better off without Lord Dung—Darnhill.”
Annika laughed out loud.
Olenka shot her an injured look. “It’s not funny. There are only a few eligible bachelors here at court. I don’t have much to choose from.”
Annika waved a dismissive hand. “Then join the army like I did. You’ll have hundreds of men to choose from. And they won’t be like these limp, pasty-faced men at court. I’m talking strong, handsome, virile young men.”
Olenka’s eyes widened. “Do they look like Aleksi and Dimitri?”
Annika stiffened. “Dimitri is mine, but you can have your choice of the others.”
Olenka’s eyes gleamed for a moment, then she slumped. “My parents would never allow it.”
“How would they stop you?” Annika scoffed. “Can they defeat an army?”
Olenka gave her a wary look. “Would I have to fight like a soldier?”
“Not if you have a skill like I do,” Annika replied. “I could use an assistant, actually, if you’re willing to learn.”
“What about my pretty gowns and jewelry?” Olenka smoothed her hands over her silk skirt.
“What about them?” Annika gave her a pointed look. “Hundreds of strong, handsome, virile young men. And if you want one of them, you can jump his bones.”
Olenka’s eyes lit up. “I’ll do it!” She turned toward Gwennore. “And I’ll help you. I’m on your side, really. When I heard how the other courtiers were treating
