Page 59 of Kill the Queens
"There's got to be more than that," she whispered.
Inside the castle was even quieter. No noise or bustle thatshe would have expected. The hair on the back of her neck stood at attention as she remembered Queen Sienna's castle and how silent it had been apart from the thunderous sounds of the Fae picking it apart.
"I don't like the silence," Rehan said before she could.
"What have I said about reading my thoughts?" She tried to laugh to cover up her nervousness as they inched forward.
"I didn't have to read your thoughts; it was written all over your face just like everything else has been."
"I'll work on reining in my expressions," she snapped and Rehan smirked.
"I think it's endearing."
"You would."
Rehan pointed down a hall. Ace's boots squeaked as she came to a sudden stop. One silhouette blocked the path forward. Sparks rained down off her sword while the figure dipped his head. A crown sat on top of his balding scalp.
"My queen is asking for your presence in her throne room. Might I escort you?" There was a nervous quiver to his voice.
"Who are you?" Ace asked.
"I'm your new king though I don't expect the likes of you to claim me as such." With that, he turned and hurried away.
Ace exchanged a look with Rehan who shrugged. "He's leading us right to her."
"Which means she's waiting for us. Ready for us." Ace swallowed the nausea that was fighting its way up her throat. An image flashed behind her eyes, a reminder of the past that couldn't be changed.
"We have the gods on our side."
None of them bothered to chime in at his statement though. The gods sat silent, watching and waiting for their revenge to be dealt.
Having the gods behind them didn't feel like much as Ace followed the man, the supposed new king. The lantern light was shining off the top of his head, catching on both his hairless scalp and the crown. He appeared to be almost the same height as Ace as she sized him up, her eyes flicking over his silk top and fitted black pants.
"This could be a trap. This is too easy," Ace said under her breath.
"Is it really a trap when we want to be caught?" He nudged her with his elbow.
"My name is Zacharias if you were curious," the king said as he led them through another barren hall.
"Didn't ask," Ace called with a smirk.
Rehan bit his lip to hide his grin. His holy fire was neatly tucked away, the swords he'd held gone. His eyes still sparkled with that familiar look that told Ace he could call it forth so easily. She tightened her grip on the hilt of the sword but dropped her arm and let the blade drag against the floors. A long scratch was left behind the tip, digging into the stone.
Even if Ace died—again—today she would leave her mark. The world would know she'd been here. She'd tried.
Zacharias glanced over his shoulder, frowning at the marks that singed the ground. Ace cocked her head, meeting his gaze. "That's not very kind of you," he finally said as he rounded one last corner and motioned them toward two closed doors.
"I think the queen will understand." Ace's smile was turning into a sneer as the nervous jitters, building of anger, and fearful churn of memories assaulted her mind.
The king stopped at the doors, running his tongue across his lips as he looked Ace up and down. His brows pinched together. Ace wondered if he noticed the resemblance.
"Ladies first or shall I?" Rehan asked.
"No," Ace answered, her tone light. "I'dloveto go first.I think I might have a few things to say." With that, she ushered herself forward.
Ace didn't mind the dirt on her clothes or the raggedness of the materials after so many days of wear and use, especially after she'd just fallen off a fucking wall. That changed when she strode forward, stopping before Queen Farah who sat at the head of her table, not at her throne.
Two staffs were held up on either side of her chair, but her hands did not touch them. Instead, Farah swirled a glass of red wine in one hand and propped her chin up with the other as if she was already bored.