Another assistant rushes in and hands the Minister of Justice a computer tablet. She frowns and taps the side of her throat.
“We have located Berta Ridgeback.” Her voice projects over the applause.
A tight fist of alarm squeezes my insides, and my adrenaline spikes. If they’ve found Berta, it means that they know whoever killed her entered the underground river. Despair washes through my veins like acid. If one drop of my blood spilled in that cavern…
The chamber falls silent, and the assistant points out where Berta’s parents sit. The Minister of Justice turns to them and says, “I’m afraid she drowned.”
Berta’s parents fill the screen. Her mother claps her hand over her mouth and sobs, but her father twists around in his seat and turns. I glance down at the front row to find that he’s staring in our direction. Our gazes meet for a moment, but the look in his eyes says he will discover what happened to his daughter even at the cost of my life.
The double doors open, and everybody stands.
Queen Damascena walks into the floor, holding the same kind of tablet as the Minister of Justice.
My throat dries, and I squeeze Prince Kevon’s hand. “Does she visit the Chamber of Ministers often?”
His features slacken, and his olive skin turns ashen. “Never.”
The queen stops at Montana and passes him the tablet. He reads the contents and rears back with his brows raised. I draw in a deep breath. Did something happen to King Arias?
She turns to the public gallery and spreads her arms wide. “I am saddened to hear of the passing of such a brave, young woman.” Her voice fills the room. “Brigadier and Dr. Ridgeback, you have my deepest sympathies.”
Footage of Berta’s parents appears onscreen. Her father trembles with rage, and her mother continues to sob into his chest.
The camera switches to Queen Damascena. “In honor of your daughter, I would like to extend an invitation to her dear friend to stay with us at the palace.”
Nausea swirls in my empty stomach. Berta and I were never friends. The queen knows my secret. She knows I killed Berta. She knows I’ve seen the secret subterranean river. She knows I have information that could end water rationing.
“What is she doing?” Prince Kevon whispers.
With a smile that looks more like the baring of fangs, Queen Damascena raises her head toward the back row, where I sit next to her son.
“Zea-Mays Calico.” Her grin widens. “Please come down and rejoin the Princess Trials.”
END OF BOOK ONE
READ BOOK TWO
The Rebel: A Princess Trials Story
What does Ryce Wintergreen really think about Zea?
Discover his point of view in The Rebel:
http://rebel.theprincesstrials.com
The Princess Trials
When the revolution comes, border guards won’t harass Harvester girls and water will be available to everyone—not just the Nobles. Until then, it’s just me and my poison darts.
The Princess Trials
The Princess Games
The Princess Crown
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Cordelia Castel’s Books
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The Banishment
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The Frozen Heart
The Bluebird
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Poacher of Dragons
Plague of Dragons
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Prisoner of Dragons
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Alaric Severin is a master vampire who awoken a desire within me that I can’t resist.
Vampire Bonds
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