The Glass Queen

by Gena Showalter

  “I need to return to the palace,” she said. She nuzzled her cheek against mine, petting me. Her touch was so gentle, so tender, I caught myself leaning into every stroke.

  “You need a healer. One is going to meet us in the tent.”

  “You need a healer. You’re injured, and carrying me isn’t helping. I’m hurting you.”

  I wanted to bury my face in the hollow of her neck and breathe in her sweet scent. “I’m going to hurt regardless, Asha. This way, at least, I get to keep the rest of the world at bay.”

  She went quiet for a moment. “Maybe I can stay with you while the healer works on you, but then I’m going to return to the palace, okay?”

  Part with her, when I’d only just gotten her back? That, I couldn’t promise.

  I let my gaze hold hers for a moment, only a moment. Tone soft, I told her, “I’m sorry Adriel attacked you. I’m sorry he tormented you at the Temple. I never ordered him to do so. Most of all, I’m sorry I didn’t take measures to protect you.”

  “He admitted your mother sent him.” Her voice was as soft as mine. “She sent him to hurt me this time, too.”

  I popped my jaw and nodded, believing her utterly. “Raven will be punished.” I should have known this would happen, just as I should have known about the visits to the Temple. Why had I ever thought my mother would have too much pride to send a soldier on her behest? If she could watch her husband attempt to kill her son without intervening, she would harm anyone by proxy.

  In both of my previous lives, my mother had despised Leonora. The two went head-to-head and each time the witch won. For round three, Queen Raven had possessed advanced knowledge, thanks to the journals. She’d suspected Ashleigh’s true identity and had probably wanted the avian to provoke the girl into using fire magic before rendering a kill.

  Though I understood her motives—though I had lived her motives—I wouldn’t let this go. She had disobeyed my orders. Now her authority as queen would be forever stripped.

  We reached the campground a few minutes later. I flew Ashleigh straight to my tent. Avian warriors surrounded it, as usual, and all bowed in deference as I carried my beautiful bundle inside. Few met my gaze, however, and I knew they wondered if I could turn on them as easily as I’d turned on Adriel.

  I would explain later. Obey me, and you had nothing to fear.

  “Let’s get you cleaned up before the healer gets here,” I said to my princess, setting her on her feet and ushering her to the pallet.

  “Let’s get you cleaned up first. I got squeezed. You took a baker’s dozen to the face.”

  I sat, dragging her down with me. She puffed out a breath before relaxing, easing her head against my shoulder.

  “You should let me up so I can source any supplies the healer might need,” she said.

  “Eve will be here shortly to—she’ll have a healer with her.” Avian didn’t have magical powers, so Everly couldn’t act as our healer today. Not with Ashleigh in the tent. Thankfully, we had a backup. “He will ensure we mend.” Roth could use his voice compulsion, and Ashleigh would never know it.

  “I don’t need a healer, I really don’t,” she said, stroking the ring Craven had given Leonora. A nervous tell. What had her worried? “I meant what I said. I need to leave soon. I’ve been gone from my—palace far too long. Yes, my palace. That isn’t weird. That’s normal. I definitely need to return there.”

  For once, I had no desire to rip the ring from its chain. In that moment, I liked that she bore Craven’s mark. With a single glance, others would know: hurt her and suffer the Destroyer’s wrath.

  “I’m not going to punish you, Ashleigh.” Not now...not ever again? “I know you aren’t Leonora.”

  She gasped. “You do?”

  “You do not bear her memories. Two people with different experiences cannot be the same.”

  “I...you’re right. Of course. This is goodbye, then.”

  Why did she wish to leave? Had I scared her with my cruelties on the battlefield?

  I think the fissure in my chest cracked wider.

  “I would like you to stay with me the rest of the night, Asha. Will you?” It was the closest I’d ever come to begging. I needed to be her guard tonight.

  She yawned. “I’m worried about my dr—I just want to return to the palace. I like it there. But don’t worry, I don’t need you to fly me. I’m not tired.” Another yawn. “Not even a little. You won’t have to hurt yourself further.”

  Why this insistence? “It’s dark outside. I don’t want you walking the campgrounds without an escort.”

  “One of your soldiers can escort me, then.”

  Before, she’d been terrified of the avian. Now she wished to brave their presence in order to escape me? “Let me rephrase. I don’t want you walking the campgrounds without me as an escort. I trust no one else with your safety.”

  Confusion glowed in those emerald eyes. “But—” She thought for several seconds before her expression firmed with determination. “Do you remember the dragon eggs you stole from me?”

  I swallowed a groan. Noel and Ophelia still guarded the four eggs on my behalf. “Yes,” I said, cautious. I didn’t wish to deny the request I knew was coming, but I couldn’t comply, either. I couldn’t give her back the eggs, allowing her to raise another dragon army. History would surely repeat itself then, past Leonora becoming present Ashleigh, all of the Avian Mountains soon to burn to the ground.

  How many times could one kingdom rebuild before it just...stopped?

  “Say the dragons were to hatch,” she said, plucking at the furs. “Not that it could actually happen or anything, but let’s say it could. No, let’s say it did, even though it definitely didn’t. And won’t. Ever. What would you do?”

  I could not, would not lie to her, whatever the consequences. There was enough bad blood between us. Hardening my resolve, I told her, “I would slay the dragons for the good of Enchantia. When they rampage... I cannot describe the screams, the odors, the death toll without making you sicken. Survivors will be unable to recover without the aid of magic. Food sources will vanish in a few days’ time, leaving those survivors to starve. That’s how Leonora was able to kill me twice before. She weakened me with destruction and hunger, then stabbed me in the heart.” If not for Noel’s warning, I would have already tried to smash the eggs. Not that it would do me any good. Dragon eggs could be as hard as iron.

  Tension stole through Ashleigh, bit by bit. “Well,” she said with a deadened tone. “I’m ready to return to the palace now. By the way, I’ve begun remembering some of Leonora’s memories. You were right. I’m her, and she’s me.”

  My blood iced over. The transformation had begun, then. Soon, she would be the Leonora of old, Ashleigh no more.

  The pressure intensified, my two-week timetable dropping days left and right.

  The tent flap lifted. Everly and Roth strode inside, one after the other. The sorceress wore her avian illusion again, and Roth wore the face of a new fae, as we’d planned.

  The pair stopped and took in Ashleigh’s position on my lap.

  Roth arched a brow. Everly grinned.

  “Princess Ashleigh,” I said, “I’d like you to meet... Roe. A healer.”

  “Oh, yes. Healer. That’s him.” Everly hiked her thumb at Roth, then motioned for him to proceed her. “By all means, do your thing, Dr. McHottie.”

  He hesitated before closing the distance to crouch before us. He was uncomfortable about using his ability with her, like this, but I wanted those bruises gone.

  When he reached for me, I shook my head and said, “The girl first.”

  Blink, blink. He glanced over his shoulder at Everly.

  The sorceress shrugged before asking, “Are you sure? You look near death, and she has an owie.”

  “The girl first,” I repeated.

  “Don’t li
sten to him,” Ashleigh cried. “Obviously, he has severe brain damage. The worst. Of course you should heal him first.”

  “The girl,” I insisted, and yes, I was just as surprised as my friend. Maybe I did have some brain damage. But that crack...it had gone deeper, something breaking inside me this time.

  I needed Ashleigh’s pain gone before I could focus on my own.

  I wanted her with me. I didn’t want to go another day without her.

  I wanted her to be with me.

  I wanted the promise of what I’d found with her already. Smiles, kindness, and acceptance.

  I wanted her so badly I expected my wings to start producing amour at any moment. But I’d felt that way both times before and never had.

  So what could I have with her?

  Ever my friend, Roth took Ashleigh’s hands and muttered, “You will heal...right now...let my healing magic flow through you.”

  A pause. Then, “Ohhh. My throat is tingling.”

  Her delight caused the corners of my mouth to lift.

  Roth repeated the process with me, but my wounds went deeper, and I didn’t tingle, I throbbed. The fractures in my bones closed and the swelling drained from my joints. Gashes wove back together. I breathed through it all, comforted when Ashleigh linked our fingers, holding my hand.

  Just as the process completed, laughter sounded outside, a new celebration kicking off.

  Ashleigh jumped up as if she’d just been biding her time, wrenching from my embrace, severing contact. “Well. Look at you. All better. Now you need your rest. In private. I’ll just grab a guard outside and hurry home, like we discussed. Yes, yes.” She didn’t wait for my response; she barreled out of the tent. Or tried to. The border spell knocked her back.

  She whirled on me, eyes flashing. “Why can’t I leave?”

  “Border spell,” I reminded her.

  “Let me out.”

  “Go, then.” I waved, shooing her off, granting her the permission she needed to slip past the boundary. I think I was...pouting.

  She spun on her heel and raced away, not looking back.

  I could only sit there, stunned. I’d just discovered another difference between Ashleigh and Leonora. Leonora had vied for my attention, and I hadn’t liked it. Ashleigh continuously ran from me, and I hated this far more.

  Roth patted my knee, his eyes glittering with mirth. “You’re going to follow her, yes?”

  “Yes.” I lurched to my feet and shot out of the tent. What I’d do when I caught up to her, though, I didn’t know.

  17

  Hush, hush, baby, don’t you cry.

  When the truth comes out, the lies will die.

  Ashleigh

  I didn’t bother recruiting an avian guard. Since I had no idea which ones remained loyal to Queen Raven, I knew I would be better off on my own. Besides, Saxon wanted me protected, and I had a dagger, the perfect guard and the best way to protect myself. So, in a way, I had selected a guard, after all, obeying his orders.

  My heart galloped at full speed as I ran from the tent, urgency giving my feet wings. Hearing Saxon’s plans for any living dragons... I had to get Pagan and Pyre away as swiftly as possible.

  I had to hide them.

  How many others would fear my babies, hoping to kill them? How many would want them dead?

  I hurried around a tree, then another and another, my brow wrinkling. Had even more trees sprouted around the camp? Someone must be using magic to raise them, and I could think of only one reason—to better hide.

  As spectators and combatants returned, overcrowding the walkways between tents, I used the trees to my advantage, masking my presence with shadows. There weren’t as many individuals as before, but everyone’s emotions were higher. Some people were overly excited by the day’s events, while others oozed anger or sadness.

  Just get to your babies. If anyone would be strong enough to harm a dragon, it was Saxon. He’d defeated a vampire, a gorgon, a fae, and a giant. A giant. He’d killed Trio right in front of me.

  Why had Saxon put my welfare above his own soldier’s? Something he’d done in front of other avian warriors, who’d been watching in the stands. And why had he held me afterward as if I were some kind of lifeline he needed to survive?

  I knew we were Cinder and the prince, but this seemed too good to be true.

  I must be misremembering what happened. Crown Prince Saxon Skylair didn’t cherish me...yet. And he shouldn’t. Not until I killed Leonora. I had to kill the phantom. Not just for revenge, though that would be nice. I didn’t want anyone else getting saddled with her.

  And then what? Saxon’s family would never approve of our relationship, and his people would never respect the Glass Princess. Which was moot. I didn’t want a relationship with him. I couldn’t be with someone who plotted the murder of my—what had Noel called them? Oh, yeah. Scale-babies.

  Weird noises erupted behind me. I threw a frantic glance over my shoulder. Thick darkness greeted me, broken by thin beams of moonlight and the occasional torch. No one seemed to pay any undue attention to me, but I quickened my pace. Maybe I should have requested a guard, after all.

  More noises. A whoosh, whoosh making me tense. There was a grunt, then a thud. I trembled as I threw another glance over my shoulder. Still didn’t seem to be in anyone’s crosshairs.

  Finally I reached the cobblestone path that led to the palace. The iron archway of hanging wisteria perfumed the air. Someone—or several someones—had tied different colored ribbons to the sides, and those ribbons twirled in the breeze. The guards were long gone, of course, taking my unicorn with them. I’d have to walk the path. Alone. In the dark.

  Deep breath in, out. I clutched my dagger higher, the ends of my fingers heating as I accessed a tendril of Leonora’s magic. Trembling, I motored up, up the mountain.

  I hit the halfway mark, still going strong. I would get to my babies, and that was that.

  Another thud sounded behind me, and I jerked around—Saxon stood in a beam of moonlight, a large troll at his feet. A large troll who’d been following me without my knowledge? I gulped.

  Saxon hadn’t changed out of his battle clothes, the garments stained with blood, the sight of him making me weak in the knees. I would never forget how ferocious he’d been on the battlefield, or how tender he’d been with me afterward.

  “One day, you’ll have to teach me how to defeat an assailant,” I said, sheathing my dagger.

  “You need to learn to sense one first,” he replied.

  “Yes, well, that day is not today because...palace,” I blurted out. “I’m returning, remember? Anyway, thank you for the assist, goodbye and good night.” I turned and hurried on. Hopefully he’d take the hint and return to his tent.

  Of course, Saxon flew to my side, landing softly to keep pace with me. “Why did you run from me, Ashleigh?”

  “Why does it matter, Saxon?” No reason to deny that’s what I’d done.

  “Intent always matters.”

  Yes, I was beginning to think it did.

  “Do you truly expect me to teach you how to defeat an opponent?” he asked. “Me? The man you’ve killed in the past?”

  “Well, not when you put it like that,” I grumbled.

  To my surprise, he flashed a smile, there and gone. “I will teach you, but you’ll owe me a boon. One to be determined at a later date.”

  Wait. He would actually train me? “Why?” I burst out as we marched forward.

  “Because no one likes to work for free.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I mean, why will you help me?”

  A prolonged pause, each second more strained than the last. He peered straight ahead, his shoulders back. Finally, with a low voice, he said, “Maybe I hope the war between us will end once and for all.”

  My heart warmed, slow and steady, as if the sun was da
wning under my skin. I wanted to say, The war can end. I’m not Leonora. I’m only possessed by her. But I didn’t. I wanted to protect my dragons more than I wanted a truce with him.

  “What about restitution?” I asked. I wanted Leonora to pay it, even if I had to do the hard work.

  “You do not have to pay it. That is why the restitution is over and done.” He didn’t hesitate to offer the pardon. And he spoke with such finality, as if he knew nothing and no one could ever change his mind.

  I reeled at the implications. He’d forgiven me for my childhood actions against him? He wished to sever ties with me now instead of later? He desired me as much as I desired him, and he could think of nothing else? Which one, which one?

  “I insist you continue giving me tasks,” I told him. “You promised four at the very least, with expert-level difficulty, but so far you’ve only delivered two novice-level mini-tasks. Do you truly think our war can end if you start our truce with a lie?” I tsk-tsked, faking disappointment in him.

  “Recovering from Adriel’s attack counts as the third and fourth tasks.”

  No way. “What did you have planned for my third task originally?”

  He huffed, admitting, “I planned to make you muck a stable. You would shovel manure...with animals bespelled to eliminate each time you came close to finishing.”

  Ohhh. How perfect. Leonora would hate every second of it. “A never-ending supply of manure?” I laughed, almost gleeful. “Tomorrow, I’m mucking those stalls, and that’s that.”

  He tripped over a rock I couldn’t see, then spread and closed his wings in quick succession to right his balance. “Let me see if I understand this correctly. You want to be punished in such a way?”

  A blue feather floated in front of me, and I caught it with a grin. “Well, yeah. You were right. You were harmed. You deserve recompense.”