Luckily, circumstances did not require me to speak, for I was more tongue-tied than I ever had been in my life, and not only because the air was squeezed out of my lungs.
“...you know what to do when the time comes?” Duchess Wilhelmina grew louder. She was coming closer.
“I do.” There was a pause. “Must I be the one to do it?”
“One day, Narcissa, you will learn that some things are better done yourself.”
“But I have no experience with such things. It’ll be better for a mercenary to do it, someone who is trained and bound to succeed—”
“Are you afraid?” The duchess’s voice was dangerously sharp.
“N-No, Mother, I want everything to work. That is all,” Narcissa said.
“I will not tolerate fear, Narcissa,” Duchess Wilhelmina said. “It is too late to go back. Ever since you helped me plant that poison at the Debutante Ball, you have lost your tolerance for fear. Do you understand?”
My breath hitched. No doubt it was Narcissa who caused the infestation of pigeons as a distraction for Duchess Wilhelmina.
“Yes, Mother.”
A door opened. The door to the duchess’s chambers. My blood turned to ice as footsteps grew louder. Figures moved at the gap between the armoire doors. I caught a glimpse of Narcissa’s back and the duchess’s skirts.
“Tomorrow I’ll see the end to Cordelia,” Duchess Wilhelmina said. “Those silly physicians are doing a poor job at keeping her alive. I ought to do them a favor and take her off their hands. One last dose and she’ll be through.”
“Is there enough?”
I squinted through the gap. The duchess’s face was now visible.
“More than enough,” she said, pressing a hand to her necklace. I squinted. Scarlet smoke billowed from the seams of the locket. So that’s where she kept it! My heart pounded against my chest. How would I possibly get my hands on the duchess’s locket?
Narcissa took a breath. “Mother, what if we get caught?”
The duchess stilled. The silence felt dangerous. “We will not,” she said. “Every meddlesome person has been taken care of. That Amarante girl is nothing but a wicked, raving mad witch in everyone’s eyes. And Greenwood is an immoral adulterer who would do and say anything to save his lover. In the end, our hands are clean. And the blame is put on those filthy witches who get what they deserve.”
I clenched my jaw. The duchess had a surprise coming for her.
“Maybe we shouldn’t kill the queen,” Narcissa said. “Maybe we should let her die. She’s had enough of the poison.”
“No,” Duchess Wilhelmina said sharply. “I will not have her live as long as I have the power to kill her. Cordelia has been a thorn at my side for thirty long years. Once you are queen, Narcissa, I will take her place. She must die now.”
“But Mother, what if Bennett does not choose me?” Narcissa said. Her voice sounded oddly desperate. “What if he chooses someone else? He doesn’t love me. He hardly knows me.”
“Foolish girl! Of course he doesn’t. Love has nothing to do with choosing a bride,” the duchess said. “And he will have to choose. You are the most obvious choice.”
“V-Very well.”
“Compose yourself, Narcissa. You have followed me this far,” the duchess said, looking imperiously down at her daughter. “It will not be in your favor to change your mind, do you understand?” It was a threat. Loud and clear.
Narcissa bowed her head. “I understand.”
“I thought I raised you well,” she said. “But it appears you have inherited your father’s weakness.”
Narcissa visibly stiffened, but the duchess continued to speak. “Once I thought witches were stronger because of their magic, but it becomes increasingly clear it has the opposite effect.” She chuckled. “It’s better this way. The strong can control the weak and put their powers to much better use, isn’t that right, Narcissa?”
“Quite right, Mother,” Narcissa mumbled.
“You are using your magic to seize power, as you ought to. You should be proud.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Look at me when I’m talking to you, Narcissa, and stand straight. You know I hate your slouching.”
Ash shifted, and the armoire creaked. The duchess’s skirts drew nearer.
And the doors flung open.
“You!”
Duchess Wilhelmina dragged Ash out by his collar.
“How did you get in here?” The question was nearly spat in his face as she held him up with surprising strength.
Ash wrenched away, stumbling back. The duchess’s face twisted in confusion when she saw me. “Who are you? Where is the witch girl?”
Ferdinand’s magic had protected me. I didn’t want to think what the duchess would’ve done if I weren’t disguised.
“She’s in the dungeon,” Ash said with convincing bitterness. “But not for long.”
Duchess Wilhelmina sneered. “That one is a poor replacement,” she said, jutting her chin toward me. “Not as pretty, don’t you think?”
Ash ignored her. “You are charged with treason.”
The duchess took a threatening step forward. “Am I?”
Something flashed in Ash’s eyes. His hand went to the scar on his knuckles, but he hardened his gaze. “I’m not eight years old anymore, Your Grace.”
“So you’re not,” the duchess said. “Still, Cordelia was clueless enough to leave you under my care. It is your word against mine. She will never believe you.”
Ash set his jaw. “Surrender now and I will be merciful.”
“Narcissa. Lock the doors,” Duchess Wilhelmina said.
Narcissa, who stood frozen, fled from the room. The sound of locks clicking came afterward. She did not return, but the duchess did not seem to miss her presence.
“I made sure nothing will be pointed back to me.” The duchess sneered. “The royals unknowingly assisted me in my plan for two generations. Witches’ words will never be trusted and that silly boy Peter will not reveal me as long as I have my men watching his parents.”
Ash fumed. “You will be exposed if it is the last thing I do.”
She guffawed. “Do you think you will prevail when I have spent ages perfecting my revenge? I am a great storyteller. Stories got me into the palace. Stories made
