Chapter 147
[ 1,037 words ]
Jasmine’s pov:
“What the hell? You didn’t even try to defend me, Jasmine.”
Amy’s furious voice followed the sharp click of her heels as she marched toward the royal wing. I stayed behind her, following her quietly.
“That slave humiliated me right in front of you, and you stood there like you couldn’t hear a word.” Her steps grew faster, forcing me to keep up.
Oh, I could hear every word. That was exactly why I had kept quiet.
Fighting with Arabella was the last thing I wanted right now. She still didn’t know what had happened to Zorro. As long as she remained unaware of his death, I could still pretend everything between us was nothing more than jealousy.
But the moment she learned the truth, she would start asking questions. And sooner or later, those questions would lead to me. I needed that crown on my head as soon as possible before the truth ever reached Lucien.
Amy suddenly stopped and I almost walked into her before catching myself. She spun around. “Say something!”
“What did you expect me to do?”
“Wow!” She chuckled. “Defend me!”
I glanced down the empty corridor before looking back at her. “Starting another fight with Arabella wouldn’t have helped.”
“Another fight?” Amy scoffed. “She accused my mother of entering people’s dreams! And you still chose to be quiet. Why?”
Because I had far more to lose than she did. Amy could afford to provoke Arabella. I couldn’t.
She stepped closer. “I’ve been helping you, Jasmine. Who do you think has been convincing Mother that you belong beside Lucien? Who keeps supporting you every time he pushes you away?”
My lips pressed together. “So, the next time that bitch comes at me,” she continued, lowering her voice, “remember whose side you’re supposed to be on.”
I stared at her for a moment before forcing myself to nod. Amy thought I had been afraid to defend her. She had no idea what I had done or she would start hating me.
***
“Mom, do you enter people’s dreams? I thought you signed a pact never to do that again.” Amy barged into the Queen’s room without even knocking, and I slipped in behind her.
The Queen was resting against the pillows on her bed. She frowned at the interruption, while Aliya immediately rose from the chair beside her.
“Amy, behave yourself!” Aliya snapped, “Mom is still recovering.”
Amy didn’t even spare her a glance. “I asked you a question, Mom. Answer me.” The Queen studied her daughter for a moment, then, instead of getting angry, a gentle smile touched her lips.
“Of course I don’t, sweetheart. Why would I?”
“Don’t call me sweetheart.” Amy marched closer to the bed. “Just answer me, Mom. No lies. Only truth.”
The Queen remained perfectly relaxed. “I signed that pact for a reason. Entering someone’s dreams without permission is forbidden, and I have no desire to break my word. I’m a witch but I know how to keep my word.”
Her voice was so soft, so convincing, that even I might have believed her if I didn’t know her better. Amy’s anger faltered slightly. “Then why would Arabella say something like that?”
At the mention of her name, the Queen’s expression barely changed. “Arabella has never liked me, Amy. And considering our history, I can hardly blame her.” She gave a small sigh. “But disliking me doesn’t make everything she says true.”
Amy shifted her weight, suddenly looking less certain.
The Queen reached for her hand. “You know me. If I wanted to hurt someone, why would I risk breaking a magical pact to do it?”
Amy was still quiet, and the longer she stood there, the more uncertain she seemed. The Queen watched her for a moment before patting the empty space beside her.
“Come here, love. Sit with me.” Amy hesitated, but eventually walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. The Queen took her hand between both of hers. “Do you remember how unstable Arabella used to be three years ago?”
Amy’s brows pulled together.
“She would slap her own face,” the Queen continued softly. “She would scream, panic, and behave as though she had no control over herself. You saw some of it yourself.”
“That was three years ago,” Amy muttered.
“I know.” The Queen stroked the back of her hand. “And I’m not saying the poor girl hasn’t changed. Perhaps she has. But look at what has been happening since she returned.” Amy glanced at her.
Queen Theordora gave her a sad little smile. “And now she has convinced you that your own mother is secretly breaking a magical pact.” Amy lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slightly in her lap.
“I’m not asking you to hate her,” the Queen said gently. “I’m only asking you not to believe everything she says, my beautiful Lycan Princess.” I watched Amy’s anger slowly disappear.
No doubt the queen was too smart. She hadn’t defended herself, she had made Amy question Arabella instead.
That seemed to work and some of the tension left Amy’s shoulders. But then she remembered something. “What about the dragons? Did you summon them?”
This time, Theodora actually laughed. “Two baby dragons?” She shook her head. “What possible reason would I have to send baby dragons into her friend’s room? I barely know the boy.”
Amy finally went quiet. Something changed in the Queen’s face. The sweetness stayed there, but a wicked little smile slowly curved her lips. “How about we ask the dragons, love?”
My head snapped up. “What?” we both said. The Queen calmly folded her hands over her stomach.
“Catch them first,” she said. “Then make them drink holy water. After drinking holy water, a summoned creature cannot hide its bond with its master.” Her gaze moved between us. “Those little dragons will lead you straight to the person who called them here.”
Amy finally smiled, apparently satisfied with the solution. Something about the Queen’s confidence made me uneasy, though I couldn’t explain why.
None of us knew then that her brilliant little plan was about to backfire. In her attempt to expose Arabella, the Queen had unknowingly set a trap for herself too.
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