Page 23 of Cursed Crowns
Marino furrowed his brow, clearly trying to remember the name.
“Wren,” said Wren as she picked up his hat and tried it on. “The other queen is calledWren. It’s not thathard to remember.”
Marino plucked his tricorn off her head, peering closer at her. “But aren’t you supposed to be identical?”
Celeste rolled her eyes. “She’s clearly in disguise.”
He cocked his head. “Are you in disguise, Tilda?”
Wren hesitated. She really was enjoying being Tilda. Simple, pitiable, father-yearning Tilda. “In a way, Marino, aren’t weallin disguise?”
“She’s an enchanter,” said Celeste. “Sneaking around like this issecond nature to her. Though I can see why she didn’t bother using any of her magic on you. I’ve always said you’re far too trusting for the spice trade.”
Marino frowned. “But why would she lie to me?”
“Why does a squirrel hide nuts for winter?” Celeste pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s what she does, Marino. And never mind the why of it. Just turn this ship around before you get thrown in the Anadawn dungeon for carting an Eanan royal off to Gevra.”
Wren watched Marino falter. His jaw twitched as he looked back toward Wishbone Bay. They had almost cleared the headland, the waves tugging them out into the open ocean, but he was folding under pressure from Celeste. She was a formidable influence, a sister bossy enough to rival Rose.
Wren removed a sprinkling of sand from her pouch, casting it over herself with a quick enchantment. Her teeth creaked as they reset, her hair unkinking as it returned to its original honey brown.
Marino gaped at her.
Wren put her hands on her hips. “By order of the queen of Eana, you are not to turn this ship around under any circumstances. Do you understand me?”
Marino looked between them.
“Marino,” said Celeste in a low voice. “Don’t listen to her.”
“Hehas to listen to me,” said Wren. “He’s my subject.”
“Well, he’smybrother.”
Wren stuck her tongue out at Celeste. “Queen’s orders come first.” To Marino, she said, “In fact, technically speaking, you’re supposed to bow to me now. But given the circumstances, I’ll let you off.”
Wren’s reveal had bought the ship enough time to clear the lip of theheadland. The wind was picking up now, the ship skimming the gray water like a flat stone.
Marino tightened his knuckles around the wheel, staying the course. He relaxed his jaw, the shock finally leaving his face. When he spoke, it was not with the deference or respect Wren was expecting. “May the stars bless you a thousand times,Captain,” he said, raising his pitch to match her earlier performance. He even made his bottom lip tremble. “Yours is a heart of gold.”
Wren offered a brief applause. “If the spice trade doesn’t work out, then the theater is for you, Marino.”
“I was just about to say the same thing to you, Your Majesty,” said Marino.
“Your good deed still stands,” Wren assured him. “In fact, when I get back from Grinstad, I’ll knight you for it.”
Marino’s face lit up.
“You two are shameless!” said Celeste. “Wren, you don’t even knowhow to knight someone, andyou, brother, are as shallow as a puddle.”
“Don’t be so hard on him, Lessie.” Wren nudged Celeste, trying to lighten her mood. But her face was like thunder, mimicking the clouds sweeping in above them. “He’s only doing his queen a favor.”
“And betraying his other one in the process,” snapped Celeste. “I’m done with this conversation. Make your trade in Gevra, Marino, but Wren and I are staying on the ship. The second you’re finished, we’re turning back around and coming straight home. Through hail orrain or lightning or whatever else the sea throws at us!”
As she spoke, a creeping fog rolled in and swallowed the ship, releasing a sheet of freezing rain.
Celeste shrieked, pulling her hood up to protect her hair.
“Look at that, Lessie! Your bad mood has brought the storm down on us!” Marino had to shout over the thunder to be heard, but he didn’t look one bit frightened by it; in fact, he looked giddy. He offered his hat to his sister, then tilted his face up to the rain.