The Glass Queen

by Gena Showalter

  I smiled at him, even though I wanted to shout, Subduing her won’t work. But I was too tired to go there again, a yawn already cracking my jaw. My eyelids were heavy and tried to slide shut, but I forced them open.

  “Are you worried you’ll sleepwalk?” Saxon asked.

  “I call it Leonora-walking now, and I’m pretty much always worried about it.”

  “Rest easy tonight. I’ll be on guard duty.” He brought a lock of my hair to his face and rubbed the end over his chin. “Since you aren’t going to freely offer the information, I suppose I’ll have to ask. What did you think of your first time?”

  I almost swallowed my tongue. “We’re going to discuss what happened? Out loud?”

  Husky chuckle. Melting heart. “Perhaps I require reassurance,” he said. “Words this time, rather than piercing screams of pleasure.”

  Cheeks burning hotter. More than I wanted to bury my face in the hollow of his neck, I wanted to tease the avian right back. So I fluffed my hair. Using my prissiest tone, I told him, “I was magnificent. You were...tolerable. There. Don’t you feel so much better now?”

  He snort-laughed. “Your screams and moans suggested otherwise, Asha.”

  Weeds! My cheeks flamed anew. “I’ll be quiet next time, okay? Promise!”

  “Why? Do you wish to punish me?” When my nose scrunched up in confusion, he chuckled again.

  He’d liked my odd noises? And had he called me “love”? I wasn’t sure because I’d been a little too preoccupied with a world-changing eruption of pleasure at the time. I kept hoping he’d say it again.

  “You will admit to my superior skill, or I’m afraid I’ll be forced to punish you.” He didn’t wait for my response. He got busy tickling me.

  I howled with laughter, batting at his hands. “Stop, stop, stop. I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you.”

  He paused, both of his brows cocked. “I’m listening.”

  “You were...adequate. We should practice every single day for the rest of our lives.”

  I expected laughter and a little more tickling. I got heavy silence.

  Saxon stilled with such intensity, he didn’t seem to be breathing. “Are you accepting...”

  Withering roses. “Not yet,” I rushed out. I couldn’t tell him I wanted to wait until we’d stopped Leonora for good, but I knew he’d insist, again, that we get happy with subduing her.

  “Very well.” He started tickling me again, and I could only howl at a higher volume.

  “Are you ready to hear about my review?” he asked silkily.

  “Yes! No!” Maybe?

  The tickling stopped abruptly. When I sobered, he gifted me with the tenderest smile, sending my pulse into a frenzy.

  “You were made for me. You shredded my control, Asha, and gave me more pleasure than I’d even known existed. From now on, nothing separates us. Nothing. Anyone who tries—dies.”

  26

  Love is patient, love is kind.

  Hate will stab you from behind.

  Ashleigh

  Our stolen days inside the magical dome passed in a blur of happiness. Saxon survived the first, plus several bonus battles in preparation for the final. Yesterday, he’d participated in the second round of semifinals. A dance with Dior. Finalists would be announced tomorrow, the final battle fought.

  In between the competitions, we alternated between spending time in bed, combat lessons, studying, playing with the dragons, and bringing my designs to life. The dragons helped, ensuring the fire in the forge never died. So far I’d made Eve’s weapons, a practice crossbow, and a sword for Saxon.

  Because of all the books I’d studied at the Temple, I knew what to do as well as when and how to do it; I just lacked practical experience. The bracelet helped with that. When I was unsure about the timing of each stage, a thought would whisper through my mind, urging me to stop or continue. And that wasn’t even the most amazing thing. The bracelet gave me some kind of magical ability to force two unlikely objects to coexist in harmony. Or I gave it to myself? I’d begun to wonder if it was my magic, manifesting at last. I’d even removed the bracelet once to test my theory, and I’d been able to add rose petals—genuine real rose petals—to a boiling pool of metal, without disintegrating the flowers. Each one graced the hilt of Saxon’s sword, creating the outline of a perfect bloom.

  I wavered between certainty that I’d done it on my own and certainty that some magical remnants left over from the bracelet were responsible. But if I’d done it on my own, what kind of magic was it, exactly? The ability to meld two objects that didn’t belong together was nice and all, but how much good would it do me in a fight? Would it supply enough power to strengthen my heart without Leonora?

  I sighed. Crafting weapons with my hands rather than my imagination had proved to be far more laborious than I’d expected. By the end of any session, my muscles would ache, and I would be drenched in buckets of sweat. But I wouldn’t be burned. As many times as I’d inadvertently stuck my fingers in the flames, I hadn’t blistered. Leonora’s fire magic had protected me. But then, I could now access that magic at will, the cage gone, the barrier between us completely eradicated. I was holding her back all on my own.

  She’d regained her strength quickly. Every day she’d mounted a new takeover attempt. I’d had to focus on Saxon to keep her at bay, because I refused to lose a second with him.

  When we trained, he demonstrated the patience of a saint with me. When we chatted, he hung on my every word, interested in what I had to say. While I worked, he remained nearby, studying the books Noel had tossed through our secret doorway one morning. He’d pored through the pages, searching for information about subduing phantoms. Our one point of contention.

  Neither of us had changed our minds. He wanted her caged repeatedly for the rest of my life. I wanted her gone forever, no cage necessary. In this, I refused to bend.

  We didn’t waste a lot of time with arguing, though. In our downtime, we skinny-dipped and teased each other about silly things, and I’d never been so happy.

  If you could do anything right now, what would you do? I’d asked the first time.

  You. The answer is and will always be you.

  The boy had enchanted me. Every day he’d presented me with any feathers that had fallen from his wings. “For a new dress,” he would say. He relaxed and smiled for longer intervals, and I fell deeper in love with him each time. Not just me, but my past selves. They’d always loved him.

  The truth glowed inside me so brightly I wondered how I’d missed it for so long. I loved his intensity. I loved how one’s strengths complemented the other’s weaknesses. I loved the way he looked at me, and the way he melted for me alone. I loved his protective nature and his unwavering determination to live his best life and lead his people.

  I had to kill Leonora so I could be with him always.

  Like Saxon, I’d done some studying. I dreamed of being a family. Saxon, Ashleigh, Pagan, and Pyre. The four of us, together forever. I knew of only one way to live my dream: the phantom’s death.

  The time had come for a little more studying, in fact. Something about a “bodily exchange” and “the expiration of the spirit” had caught my attention during my last read. But, Saxon had just got done worshipping me, body and soul, and I hadn’t yet caught my breath.

  We were naked. I lay cuddled into his side, resting atop a downy wing. I’d gotten used to sleeping this way, enveloped by his warmth, protected and assured I would be with him when I awoke, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to sleep without him ever again.

  Afternoon sunlight streamed through tiny crevices between the wooden beams that made up the ceiling and walls, dust motes dancing. We hadn’t bothered sticking to our normal routine today. This was our last day. Tomorrow, we would return to the real world.

  He would win the tournament, and we would...what? How would we make th
is work?

  The dragons napped in stalls of their own now. They’d gotten too big to share with us or even each other. Soon, we would have to deal with all of Enchantia knowing about their existence. Raven and Tempest had seen them—not to mention whoever might have noticed them in flight—so rumors would spread. We needed a plan.

  I traced a fingertip down the muscle and sinew on Saxon’s abdomen. “Are you ready to return to the real world?”

  “I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready.” He kissed my temple, his eyes already at half-mast.

  “What are we going to do about the dragons?”

  “I can speak to—” He flinched. “I can speak to someone through vines, who passes messages to me.”

  Understanding dawned. “I thought you were a wee bit odd for chatting with foliage,” I admitted. “Why did you flinch, though?”

  He didn’t try to deny the instinctive reaction. “I have a secret I’ve been keeping from you. I wish I could tell you, but it’s not my secret to tell, and it’s something I’m not ready for Leonora to know.”

  And the secret had to do with the person on the other end of the vine? “I understand why you can’t tell me,” I said, and I did, but I wanted to shout, See. This is why the phantom has to die. As long as I remained possessed, he would never be able to trust me fully.

  He gave my temple another kiss. “We can make this work, sweetheart.”

  I adored when he called me sweetheart, but had he called me “love” that once or not? Would he ever do it again? I knew I made him happy. I’d been sporting a lot of amour lately.

  “As for the dragons,” he continued, “I’m told my mother and sister have said nothing. I’m guessing they don’t want to cause a panic, one of the only wise things they have done. I’m also told Noel knew when and where the dragons would be visible, and she had Ophelia cast a spell to ensure no one saw them in the air.”

  Having a witch and oracle as friends—no, having two apple babies as friends came with more rewards than annoyances.

  If apple babies could come up with a way to permanently cage a phantom, couldn’t they come up with a way to kill one?

  Leonora’s displeasure hit me, and I cringed.

  “The phantom giving you trouble?” he asked, tenderly brushing a piece of hair from my cheek.

  I leaned into his touch, always eager for more. “She knows I want her dead.”

  He flinched. “She owes you reparation for the years she’s stolen from you. Let her magic power your heart.”

  “I...can’t. I hate being dependent on my mother’s killer. It offends every part of my being.”

  He turned into me, draping his arm over my hip to hold me closer. I knew he wanted to distract me from my thoughts. He wanted me to give in, but I wouldn’t. “I crave your dowry, love.”

  Love. He’d done it again, as if it were a declaration. Because it was. He loved me. My heart fluttered, and I forgot my irritation with him. Maybe I’d give in for just an hour or two. Eager to tease him back, I said, “And what dowry is that, hmm?”

  A slow grin spread. “You come with an entire kingdom—a new kingdom for me to explore each and every day.” He cupped my jaw and stroked his thumb over my mouth. “The bridge to paradise.” He cupped my breast next. “The Mountains of Ash.”

  My breath caught, a giggle and a moan escaping in unison. Tomorrow. I would make my own declaration of love for him tomorrow, my gift to him before we parted.

  Where would he visit next?

  With languid satisfaction, he ran his fingertips along the center of my stomach and circled my navel. “The Valley of Temptation.”

  As I writhed underneath his touch, rocking my hips, he shifted me to my back and got between my legs. I peered at his beautiful face, at the dark hair in utter disarray, and gave a breathy moan. “Where else?”

  “The Ocean of Nirvana.” With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he kissed his way down...

  * * *

  Voices awoke me. I blinked open my eyes and realized night had arrived, our stall full of shadows. A convoy of memories—hours and hours spent in Saxon’s arms—rolled through my mind, the queendom of Ashleigh, and my cheeks burned. The things we’d done to each other...

  I hadn’t known two people could use their mouths in such an intimate way. Hadn’t known I would react so wildly. I’d loved how he’d watched me closely, gauging my every reaction to give me more of what drove me to the brink of insanity. My defenses had crumbled, baring more than my body—baring my soul. The glass heart I wanted to place in his hands.

  I eased up, clutching a sheet to my naked chest as my hair tumbled around my shoulders. “Saxon?” I said, twisting to peer at—his pillow. Disappointment rocked me. Where had he gone?

  Again, muted voices caught my attention. Voices...plural? Was he speaking to someone? Curious, I hurriedly dressed in a new garment Saxon had left for me—a soft blue gown that clung to my curves. It had open-ended pockets, allowing me to reach through them to grip the weapons strapped to my thighs.

  Leonora remained blessedly quiet, yet I sensed her seething anger. She felt betrayed by Saxon and remained alert and aware, ready to pounce on me at a moment’s notice.

  I had to admit, subduing her had become easier and easier, my defenses against her strengthening as I did. The amour might have something to do with that. Or the more bonding magic I wielded. Or all three. Or none. I didn’t know, but she was no longer able to assume control as I slept, and that was wonderful. It was.

  I still wanted her dead.

  Barefoot, I padded outside the stable. I loved the feel of dirt between my toes. As soon as I cleared the stable, the voices got louder. Golden moonlight spilled over the forest, blending with its natural azure glow, the dome down. I’d known it had to happen, yet disappointment flared.

  So where was Sax—ah. There. He stood with two others, both of the dragons flanking his sides. And oh, wow. They’d doubled in size again.

  One of Saxon’s companions was a blonde beauty I’d never met, who wore a tunic with writing across the chest. That writing... I narrowed my eyes to sharpen my focus. “Hello, My Name Is Queen of Evil. What’s yours?”

  The Evil Queen?

  The other companion was male and he—my jaw went slack. He was my cousin Roth.

  My gaze swung back to the blonde. If Roth was here, and she proudly referred to herself as the Evil Queen, then she must be Everly Morrow. I couldn’t make out what the trio was saying, but the three were obviously friendly, not the enemies Saxon had claimed them to be.

  Was this the secret he’d kept? “Um, hi guys?” I called as I marched over.

  The dragons looked my way. Their expressions plainly said, We’ve got this handled, Momma, have no fear.

  Saxon reached out to motion me over, perfectly at ease. “Asha, meet my secrets. You’ve met King Roth. You also know him as Blaze the fae and the healer fae. My other companion is Everly Morrow. You know her as Eve.”

  What! The blonde grinned at me. A split second later, an image flashed over her features—another face. Everly, the sorceress I’d once wished to speak with, who supposedly loved Roth, was Eve the avian, a girl I’d liked and admired.

  I staggered to a halt at Saxon’s side. Well. No wonder he’d kept this secret from me. “Nice to officially meet you,” I said, and Roth looked surprised.

  Everly patted my shoulder. “I’m glad you finally awoke, sleeping beauty.”

  “I’m not the sleeping beauty. I’m the cinder girl,” I said. The sleeping beauty fairy tale involved blood kisses, vampires and elves, a monster known as a phoenix, and the most evil of magic. I’d stick with my avian prince. “I’m embarrassed I didn’t guess who you were. You syphoned your magic from multiple sources, didn’t you?”

  “Sure did.”

  Saxon snaked an arm around my waist, kissed my temple, and whispered, “I’m sorry I
didn’t tell you.”

  “I know. I understand.” Leonora was to blame. I looked to Roth. “Cousin.” Nod. “It’s nice to see you’re alive.”

  “Is it?” he asked, brows arched.

  “I don’t know. Give me a little more time to decide.”

  He grinned.

  “I’m glad the truth is finally out.” The sorceress hiked her thumb in Roth’s direction. “I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot more of us from now on, Ashleigh.”

  “You owe me a gold coin,” I reminded her.

  “Okay, okay.” She dug into her pocket and tossed over a coin.

  I caught it and put it in my shoe. My first payment. What a thrill.

  “I just have one question,” I said. “What was the original plan for me?”

  Saxon closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. When next he met my gaze, he evinced pure resolve. “I was going to have you bespelled into an eternal sleep and kill your father.”

  “The problem with eternal sleep is that it might only affect me, leaving Leonora to roam free. Is Philipp’s murder absolutely necessary, though, or could he be locked up for the rest of his life? He has restitution to deliver.”

  Saxon, Roth, and Everly stared at me as if I’d grown a second head.

  “What?” I asked. “I know he’s a terrible person and an even worse leader. He usurped Roth’s kingdom. He needs Dior to use up her magical ability just to fund daily operations. What will he do when an emergency occurs?”

  Saxon caressed my cheek, radiating tenderness. “If possible, we will lock him up.”

  I couldn’t ask for more than that. I didn’t like my father, but I didn’t want him dead if he could be saved.

  Roth took a step toward me. “King Philipp may not have long to live anyway. Not as sick as he is.”

  Yes. He’d grown sicker over the past week. I’d recommended a food taster at one of the last battles, but he’d waved me away.